Look up terms used in IT asset disposition (ITAD), secure data destruction, electronics recycling and compliance. Start with a definition or open a guide for practical questions to ask before your next project.
243 terms
4th Bin Inc. · 4th Bin · The 4th Bin
4THBIN is the trade name of 4th Bin Inc., an electronics recycling and IT asset disposition (ITAD) provider and an ecoTech company. Its services include on-site electronics collection, data destruction, data center decommissioning and RemoteReturn, a mail-in service for returning devices from remote employees.
AB · accreditation board · national accreditation body
An accreditation body is an organization that assesses certification bodies and confirms they are competent and impartial enough to issue certificates. Accreditation bodies sit one level above certification bodies: they audit the auditors. For management-system certification, CBs are typically accredited to ISO/IEC 17021-1. Examples include ANAB in the United States, JAS-ANZ in Australia and New Zealand, and NABCB in India.
Apple Activation Lock · account lock · Find My lock
An Apple security feature that can prevent unauthorized reactivation of supported devices. It may remain relevant after erasure and can prevent legitimate reuse if unresolved. Coordinate authorized release through the account owner or supported organizational management process. Lock removal and data sanitization are separate tasks.
glue · glued components · soldering · soldered components · bonded assemblies · repairability
Assembly methods used to secure components or make electrical connections. Adhesives can bond screens, enclosures, or batteries; solder commonly connects components to circuit boards. These methods can support compact design, reliability, and sealing, but some implementations make repair, component replacement, and material separation more difficult. Soldered connections can often be reworked by qualified technicians, while adhesive removal depends on the material and design. Their use alone does not establish planned obsolescence. Design for disassembly and accessible replacement parts can improve repair and recovery options.
AI asset valuation · predictive pricing · real-time asset valuation · device lifecycle valuation
AI-assisted analysis that estimates current resale value and forecasts future value using inputs such as device specifications, condition, age, and market data. Values can be tracked throughout a device’s lifecycle to inform retirement, redeployment, and remarketing decisions. Real-time visibility depends on data freshness; estimates are not guaranteed sale prices.
airports · terminals · aviation facilities · transportation hubs
Retired electronic equipment from airport operations and tenants, such as passenger information displays, computers, networking hardware, kiosks, payment terminals, and security or access-control equipment. Equipment may belong to airport authorities, airlines, concessionaires, or contractors. Retirement plans should establish ownership and authorization, protect stored data, coordinate access and collection schedules, and document downstream handling.
Alkaline cells
Commonly nonrechargeable batteries used in everyday devices. Collection options and disposal requirements vary by location.
Amtivo US · Orion Registrar
Amtivo is an ANAB-accredited certification body. Its U.S. business combines several former registrars, including Orion Registrar. It is authorized to certify facilities to both R2 and e-Stewards.
ANSI National Accreditation Board · ANSI-ASQ National Accreditation Board
ANAB (the ANSI National Accreditation Board) is the largest accreditation body in North America. It accredits certification bodies, including those that audit ITAD and electronics recyclers. SERI lists five ANAB-accredited R2 certification bodies: Amtivo, Intertek, NSAI Inc., NSF and Perry Johnson Registrars. ANAB accredits management-system certification bodies against ISO/IEC 17021-1.
VHS · cassette tapes · audio tapes · video tapes
Media holding analog audio or video, often on magnetic tape. Recordings can contain confidential information; retention and secure disposal needs remain relevant even when the format is obsolete.
Equipment register
A record of equipment being managed, typically including device type, model, serial number, and condition.
ALM · IT asset lifecycle · lifecycle management
Managing assets across their useful lives, from acquisition and operation through maintenance, replacement, and disposition. For electronics, lifecycle planning connects repair, reuse, support needs, security, and retirement decisions.
inventory reconciliation · asset discrepancies
Comparing expected asset records with equipment actually collected, received, processed, and reported. Reconciliation identifies missing items, unexpected devices, duplicate identifiers, and other discrepancies. It helps connect inventory and custody records with sanitization and disposition reports.
Value recovery
Recovering remaining value from retired equipment through reuse, resale, or material recovery.
RCA · XLR · TRS · speaker wire · optical audio · TOSLINK
Cables used for analog or digital audio. They may use copper conductors or optical fibers, so their material recovery options differ.
BAN
A nonprofit environmental justice organization working to prevent harmful toxic-waste trade and promote responsible materials management. BAN created and manages the e-Stewards program.
Basel treaty · transboundary hazardous waste
An international treaty controlling cross-border movements of hazardous wastes and other covered wastes and their disposal. It is central to e-waste shipment rules and environmentally sound management. E-waste amendments effective January 1, 2025 broadened controls. Shipment requirements depend on waste classification, the countries involved, treaty participation, and national implementation; used equipment and waste must be distinguished carefully.
Battery type · cell chemistry
The materials and electrochemical system a battery uses. Chemistry helps determine appropriate collection and recycling.
Lithium-ion battery fires · thermal runaway · battery fire prevention
Fires involving batteries can result from damage, short circuits, overheating, or other failures. In lithium-ion cells, thermal runaway is uncontrolled heating that can lead to fire or explosion and spread to nearby cells. Such incidents can release hazardous gases and reignite. If a lithium-ion battery fire occurs, evacuate and call 911; do not attempt to handle the burning device. Facilities need an emergency plan developed with qualified fire-safety professionals.
battery lifecycle · battery life cycle · battery aging · cycle life · calendar aging · battery replacement
The stages a battery passes through, from manufacture and use to replacement, possible reuse, and recycling or disposal. Rechargeable batteries can lose capacity through both repeated charging and discharging and aging over time. Service life varies with chemistry, operating conditions, and device design. Embedded or difficult-to-replace batteries can complicate repair and shorten a device’s useful life. End-of-life planning should identify battery condition, suitable collection options, and whether qualified assessment supports reuse.
Safe battery handling · battery storage · battery collection
Practices that reduce injury and fire risks when using, collecting, storing, or retiring batteries. Identify the chemistry, follow manufacturer instructions, protect exposed terminals on suitable intact batteries, and use an accepting collection program. Lithium-ion batteries and devices containing them do not belong in household trash or curbside recycling. Stop using batteries showing unusual heat, swelling, leaks, odors, or noises; obtain qualified guidance for damaged batteries rather than treating them as routine collection material.
BOL · BL · B/L · shipping document · freight documentation
A transportation document identifying goods being shipped and the terms of carriage. In electronics collection and ITAD, it can help connect a shipment with its shipper, carrier, destination, and supporting inventory. Depending on the shipment and document type, it may also serve as a receipt or a negotiable document. Retain it alongside asset inventories and receiving records to support shipment tracking. A BOL alone does not verify data destruction, completed recycling, or final disposition.
fingerprint readers · iris scanners · facial recognition devices · biometric terminals · biometric access control
Equipment that captures or processes physical or behavioral characteristics to identify or verify a person, such as fingerprint readers, iris scanners, and facial recognition terminals. Depending on system design, biometric samples, templates, identifiers, or access records may reside on the device, a connected server, or a cloud service. Retirement planning should identify those storage locations, protect sensitive information, remove credentials and connections, and verify appropriate data sanitization before reuse or recycling.
Battery black mass · active material concentrate
A mixed material fraction produced during processing of batteries, commonly containing electrode materials and potentially valuable metals. Composition depends on battery chemistry and the processing route. Producing black mass is an intermediate step rather than proof of final metal recovery.
BFR · BFRs · brominated additives
A group of bromine-containing chemicals used to reduce flammability in materials, including some electronic plastics and circuit-board materials. Their properties and regulatory treatment differ by substance. Identifying relevant additives helps determine appropriate sorting and downstream handling; not all electronic plastics contain them.
C bin · commercial bin · commercial moving box · moving carton
In commercial moving, a C-Bin is a large, heavy-duty corrugated carton used to pack and transport bulky items. Suppliers offer different sizes and constructions. For equipment collection or ITAD logistics, suitability depends on the contents, weight rating, packing method, and carrier requirements. A standard moving carton is not automatically a secure collection bin or approved battery shipping package. Other products also use the name C-Bin; this entry refers to the commercial moving box.
electrical cables · cords · wires
Conductors and protective coverings used to carry electrical power or signals. Material composition, connectors, shielding, and attached electronics affect recovery options. Ordinary passive cables generally do not store user data; smart cable assemblies or connected devices may require separate assessment.
GHG footprint
Greenhouse gas emissions associated with a defined organization, product, or activity. Results depend on the boundary and method.
CRT · tube televisions · CRT monitors · leaded glass
Glass display components used in older televisions and computer monitors. Lead in CRT funnel glass creates special handling concerns. U.S. federal rules provide conditional exclusions for certain recycled CRTs and impose export requirements; state rules may be stricter. Declining demand for CRT glass also creates stockpiling and downstream processing challenges.
CoD · destruction certificate
A record stating that specified assets or media underwent destruction. Its usefulness depends on supporting details and records.
Read the full guide to Certificate of DestructionRecycling certificate
A record describing equipment or materials processed for recycling. It is separate from proof of data sanitization.
CB · registrar · certification registrar · auditing body · third-party auditor
A certification body (CB) is an independent organization that audits a company against a standard, such as R2, e-Stewards or ISO 14001, and issues the certificate if the company conforms. CBs are often called registrars. For R2, SERI authorizes the certification bodies, and the CBs, not SERI, make each facility's certification decision. A CB is itself accredited by an accreditation body such as ANAB.
Custody tracking · chain-of-custody documentation · custody record · CoC
Chain of custody is the documented record of who had control of an IT asset or storage device, when and where, from collection through processing and final disposition. Asset identifiers, recorded handoffs and inventory reconciliation help trace equipment and resolve discrepancies.
Read the full guide to Chain of CustodyE-waste system challenges · recycling transparency · collection gaps · illegal exports
Barriers that make safe, accountable electronics collection and recycling harder to achieve. These include collection gaps, treatment and transport costs, limited downstream visibility, misleading recycling claims, stockpiling or dumping, unsafe working conditions, and illegal exports. Documented misconduct should be distinguished from legitimate operational and economic constraints.
CHIPS Act · Creating Helpful Incentives to Produce Semiconductors · semiconductor manufacturing · chips funding
A U.S. law enacted in 2022 supporting domestic semiconductor manufacturing, research, workforce development, and broader science initiatives. CHIPS stands for Creating Helpful Incentives to Produce Semiconductors. It is relevant to technology supply chains and industrial investment, but is not an electronics recycling or producer take-back law. Its connection to ITAD is indirect, through the manufacturing and supply-chain context of electronic equipment.
Circularity
An approach that keeps products and materials useful longer through maintenance, reuse, repair, and recovery.
Clearing media
Sanitization protecting against simple, noninvasive data recovery through normal device interfaces.
cloud data storage · online storage · remote storage · cloud backups
Storage of digital information on remotely managed systems accessed through a network, often the internet. Devices may retain synchronized files, cached data, credentials, or links to cloud accounts. Sanitizing a retired device does not automatically delete cloud copies, backups, or shared files. Retirement planning should address local storage and account access separately from cloud retention, deletion, and backup policies.
Carbon dioxide equivalent
A unit expressing different greenhouse gases using their relative warming effects.
CAER · American Electronics Recycling
A coalition of electronics recycling businesses that advocates for U.S. policies supporting secure, environmentally responsible electronics recycling and domestic processing. Its advocacy connects e-waste export controls with environmental protection, data security, and the risks of counterfeit electronic components. CAER supports the Secure E-Waste Export and Recycling Act (SEERA); policy proposals should be distinguished from enacted requirements. Coalition membership is not a recycling certification.
coax · antenna cables · RF cables
Cables with a central conductor, insulating layer, and outer conductive shield, used for radio-frequency and other signals. Construction and metals vary by application.
Conference of the Parties · UN climate conference
The decision-making body of the UNFCCC and its meetings, where participating countries review implementation and negotiate climate action.
CRM · CRMs · critical minerals · supply risk
Materials considered economically important and exposed to significant supply risks within a particular policy framework. Official lists differ by jurisdiction and can change. Electronics recovery can contribute to supply resilience, but containing a critical material does not mean a recycling process actually recovers it.
Crypto erase · CE
Sanitization through destruction of encryption keys. Its suitability depends on encryption implementation and key handling.
Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive
The EU corporate sustainability reporting framework. Applicability and timing depend on current rules and the organization.
Data-containing equipment
Equipment that can retain information, including computers, phones, servers, and some printers or network devices.
Controller
The party deciding why and how personal data is processed.
Data wiping · secure erasure
Using a supported process to sanitize storage media while potentially preserving the device for reuse. Ordinary deletion is not equivalent.
DPA · Article 28 agreement
Contractual terms governing a processor’s handling of personal data for a controller, including applicable return or deletion obligations.
Processor
A party processing personal data on a controller’s behalf.
Media sanitization
Making access to data on media infeasible for a specified level of effort. Method selection depends on risk and media.
Read the full guide to Data SanitizationDSAR · subject access request
An individual’s request to access personal data and related information under applicable privacy law.
Equipment retirement · system retirement
Taking equipment out of service in a controlled way before transfer, reuse, or recycling.
Explore data center decommissioningMagnetic media erasure
Applying a magnetic field to suitable magnetic media to disrupt stored information. It does not sanitize flash-based SSDs.
DfD · disassembly-friendly design · modular design
Designing products so components and materials can be separated efficiently for maintenance, repair, reuse, or recycling. Accessible fasteners, modular parts, and appropriate joining methods can improve separation. Decisions must also account for safety and product performance.
Media destruction
Sanitization that prevents recovery and leaves media unusable for storing data.
HIPAA media disposal and reuse
HIPAA Security Rule safeguards addressing electronic media, including disposal and removal of ePHI before reuse.
cosmetic grading · equipment grades · condition grading
Assigning a condition category to equipment using defined criteria. Cosmetic condition and functional test results should be recorded separately. Grade labels vary between providers, so describe the criteria, defects, and tests rather than relying on a letter grade alone.
functional testing · functionality testing · test and repair · hardware testing · diagnostics testing · battery testing
Device testing checks whether the relevant functions of used IT equipment work before it is considered for reuse. The scope depends on the equipment and intended use. A device test is separate from data sanitization.
Read the full guide to Device TestingDPP · product passport · digital lifecycle information
A digital record linked to a product that makes specified product information accessible to relevant users. The EU Ecodesign for Sustainable Products Regulation establishes a framework for passports, with requirements determined through applicable product-specific rules. Information can support traceability and lifecycle decisions; do not assume every electronic product already requires one.
Disassembly · demanufacturing · manual dismantling
Separating equipment into components and material fractions. This may preserve parts for reuse or prepare materials for recycling. Batteries and other components requiring special handling should be identified before destructive processing.
HDMI · DisplayPort · VGA · DVI · video cables
Connections carrying video and sometimes audio signals between equipment and displays. Legacy and current interfaces use different connectors and assemblies; confirm the appropriate recovery stream.
Downstream vendor · DSV · downstream processors · recycling chain · downstream partners · Downstream recycler
Organizations that receive equipment, components, or materials from an ITAD or recycling provider for further handling, such as testing, repair, refurbishment, material separation, or recovery. A downstream chain may involve multiple vendors before final processing. Responsible oversight includes qualifying vendors, confirming their capabilities and applicable authorizations, and maintaining records of transfers and outcomes. R2 defines specific downstream requirements for its controlled streams.
Read the full guide to Downstream Vendorsunmanned aircraft · UAV · UAS · quadcopters · drone recycling
Remotely piloted or automated aircraft containing electronics such as flight controllers, sensors, cameras, communication modules, and batteries. Retired drones may retain images, flight logs, location information, or account credentials on internal storage, removable media, or connected services. Assess reuse potential, identify data locations, and arrange appropriate battery and electronics handling before disposition.
electronic scrap · electronics scrap
A common industry term for used or end-of-life electronics and electronic components collected for reuse, refurbishment, or recycling. It often overlaps with e-waste, with emphasis on recoverable components and materials. Examples include circuit boards, computers, cables, and other retired electronic equipment. Calling material e-scrap does not determine its legal waste classification or remove requirements for secure data sanitization and appropriate handling.
eStewards · e-Stewards certification
A third-party certification program for responsible electronics reuse, recycling, and disposition, administered by the Basel Action Network.
e-Stewards auditors · e-Stewards registrars · eStewards certifying bodies
e-Stewards certification bodies are the accredited auditing organizations that audit electronics recyclers and ITAD facilities against the e-Stewards Standard and issue e-Stewards certificates. e-Stewards lists three: Amtivo, Intertek and Perry Johnson Registrars. They audit all processing and ancillary facilities covered by a certificate.
Electronic waste · electronics waste
Discarded electrical or electronic equipment and its components. Some items may retain reuse or material value.
Illegal e-waste exports · e-waste trafficking maps · Monitour · export routes
Maps documenting tracked movements of discarded electronics, including routes investigated as potentially illegal exports. BAN and MIT’s Monitour project visualizes tracked e-waste routes. A route alone does not establish illegality; findings depend on the shipment, applicable laws, and investigation evidence.
sustainability ratings · supplier sustainability assessment · EcoVadis scorecard
A provider of business sustainability ratings used to assess companies and support supplier evaluation. Its assessment covers four themes: environment, labor and human rights, ethics, and sustainable procurement. A scorecard evaluates sustainability management within the assessed entity’s scope; it is not an electronics recycling certification, proof of data destruction, or a guarantee that every product or service is sustainable.
eddy current separator · ECS · non-ferrous sorting
A sorting process that uses a changing magnetic field to induce electrical currents in conductive materials, causing suitable non-ferrous metal pieces to be separated from a mixed stream. Commonly used for aluminum recovery after ferrous metals are removed. Performance depends on particle size, material properties, and equipment settings.
FERPA-protected records
Records directly related to a student and maintained by an educational institution or a party acting for it, subject to FERPA’s definitions and exceptions.
E-recycling
Processing retired electronics to recover usable materials and manage remaining waste.
Explore electronics recycling with ecoTechbuilt-in batteries · integrated batteries · non-removable batteries
Batteries incorporated into a device rather than supplied as a readily removable external component. Accessibility varies: some can be replaced by technicians, while others are difficult to separate. Assess replacement options and arrange suitable end-of-life handling without assuming every built-in battery is permanently non-replaceable.
eMMC · UFS · soldered flash · onboard storage
Storage integrated into a device or circuit board. It may be missed when no removable drive is visible. Identify stored data and select a method appropriate to the device and required assurance.
Encrypted data · plaintext · ciphertext · data at rest · data in transit
Protecting data by converting readable information into ciphertext using a cryptographic algorithm and key. Encryption can protect stored data and data sent over networks. For retired devices, encryption alone does not establish that sanitization is complete; cryptographic erase requires suitable encryption and verified key handling.
Energy advocacy · electronics energy use · energy demand · energy efficiency
Environmental and community concerns about energy demand, electricity sources, and efficiency across electronics manufacturing, use, and end-of-life processing. Advocacy can support transparent energy reporting, responsible technology use, and reduced resource consumption.
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency · United States Environmental Protection Agency
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency is the federal agency whose mission is to protect human health and the environment. Its work includes implementing environmental laws, overseeing federal hazardous waste requirements, and publishing guidance on electronics and battery management. State and local requirements can also apply. EPA does not certify electronics recyclers; R2 and e-Stewards are independent certification programs.
Electronic Protected Health Information
Protected health information maintained or transmitted electronically within the scope of HIPAA.
Directive 2002/58/EC
EU rules concerning privacy and confidentiality in electronic communications, implemented through national law.
Environmental, Social and Governance
Environmental, social, and governance factors used to assess organizational practices, impacts, risks, and oversight. ESG is not a single certification.
ESG disclosure · sustainability reporting
Disclosing environmental, social, and governance information using a defined scope, period, and methodology. Reporting does not by itself certify performance.
European Sustainability Reporting Standards
Standards used for sustainability disclosures by companies subject to the CSRD.
network cables · Cat5 · Cat5e · Cat6 · Cat6a · Cat7 · Cat8 · twisted pair
Copper network cabling commonly used for wired data connections. Different constructions include shielding and varying conductor materials, which can affect sorting and recovery.
Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act
A U.S. law protecting student education records at covered educational institutions.
optical fiber · fibre optic · single-mode · multimode
Cables transmitting signals through optical fibers, commonly glass. They should not be assumed to contain recoverable copper. Attached transceivers and networking equipment are separate electronic components.
Final asset outcome · disposition reporting · final processing · end destination
The documented outcome of retired equipment, components, or materials, such as redeployment, resale, donation, material recovery, or permitted disposal. Transfer to a broker or intermediate processor does not by itself demonstrate the final outcome. In R2 downstream recycling terminology, final disposition has a more specific meaning tied to completion of the required final processing for controlled materials. Records should distinguish the equipment’s outcome from the sanitization or destruction of its data.
Read the full guide to Final Dispositiondiskettes · 3.5-inch floppy · 5.25-inch floppy
Legacy removable magnetic storage. Old age or unreadability in current equipment does not demonstrate that stored information has been sanitized.
free recycling · low-cost recycling · no-cost pickup · free e-waste vendors
Providers offering electronics collection, recycling, or IT asset disposition at little or no upfront cost. Pricing may depend on equipment resale value, recoverable materials, collection volume, sponsorship, or a limited service scope. Compare what is included: pickup, accepted items, data sanitization, asset tracking, reporting, and downstream processing. Confirm exclusions and charges for low-value equipment or specialized handling. A low price alone does not establish poor practices, and a paid service alone does not establish responsible handling; evaluate documented capabilities and outcomes.
Gaylord box · pallet box · bulk box · corrugated bulk container
A large bulk container, commonly made from heavy-duty corrugated cardboard and placed on a pallet, used to collect, store, or ship materials. In electronics recycling, Gaylord boxes may hold equipment, components, or sorted material fractions. The box itself does not provide secure data destruction or establish suitability for hazardous materials. Select packaging and handling methods appropriate to the contents, weight, and transport requirements.
General Data Protection Regulation · EU GDPR
The EU framework governing personal-data processing, with duties for organizations and rights for individuals.
Greenhouse Gas Protocol
Standards and guidance for measuring and reporting greenhouse gas emissions.
Global Accreditation Cooperation Incorporated · IAF · International Accreditation Forum · ILAC · IAF MLA
Global Accreditation Cooperation Incorporated is the international organization of accreditation bodies. It began full operations on January 1, 2026, combining the work of the International Accreditation Forum (IAF) and the International Laboratory Accreditation Cooperation (ILAC). The IAF ceased operations on that date. Its purpose is to make accredited certificates recognized across countries.
e-waste statistics · annual e-waste · global e-waste dataset · recycling rates
A reference dataset of published global e-waste estimates for selected years, with a separately identified projection. It distinguishes waste generated from documented formal collection and recycling. Unrecorded handling is not equivalent to dumping or illegal export. The figures come from the Global E-waste Monitor and are not a complete annual series.
E-waste tracking · Global Positioning System · electronic waste trackers
Using location-reporting devices to follow retired electronics through collection and downstream handling. BAN’s e-Trash Transparency Project uses GPS-based trackers to investigate where e-waste goes. Location evidence supports transparency but does not by itself prove recycling or data destruction.
misleading environmental claims · deceptive green marketing
Marketing or communication that gives a misleading impression of a product, service, or organization’s environmental benefits. In e-waste and ITAD, examples can include unsupported recycling rates, vague claims of eco-friendly handling, or overstated certification scope. Environmental claims should clearly describe what is measured, disclose relevant limits, and be supported by evidence. Collection alone does not demonstrate completed recycling, and a certification does not substantiate every environmental claim.
Global Reporting Initiative · GRI Standards
A sustainability reporting standards system focused on an organization’s impacts on the economy, environment, and people.
LED bracelets · LED wristbands · event bracelets · light-up accessories · embedded batteries · mixed-material electronics
Electronic products that are difficult to collect, dismantle, or process because of small size, mixed materials, sealed construction, or limited recycler acceptance. Examples include LED event bracelets and light-up accessories that combine plastic housings, circuit boards, and batteries. Hard to recycle does not necessarily mean unrecyclable. Check organizer or manufacturer take-back options and confirm acceptance with a suitable electronics or battery recycler. Battery chemistry and construction vary by product.
HDD shredding · SSD shredding
Mechanically breaking storage media into smaller pieces. Effectiveness depends on media type and the destruction process.
HAM · hardware asset tracking · physical IT assets
Managing physical IT equipment through acquisition, use, maintenance, and retirement. Accurate ownership and location records support recovery of retired equipment and reconciliation of disposal results. Hardware asset management is part of the broader IT asset management discipline.
listed waste · characteristic waste · hazardous waste determination
Waste subject to hazardous-waste controls because it meets applicable regulatory criteria. In the United States, classification considers listed wastes, hazardous characteristics, and relevant exclusions. Electronics and components require assessment rather than a blanket assumption that all e-waste is hazardous or exempt. State requirements can differ from federal rules.
Hard Disk Drive
Storage that records data magnetically on rotating platters.
Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act
A U.S. law whose Privacy and Security Rules govern protected health information for covered entities and business associates.
Hydrometallurgical recovery · leaching · aqueous metal recovery
Recovering metals using solution-based chemical processes, often including leaching, separation, and recovery steps. Used in some battery and electronics recycling routes. Chemical handling, wastewater, and residues require appropriate controls.
International Secure Information Governance & Management Association · iSIGMA · NAID
i-SIGMA (the International Secure Information Governance & Management Association) is the trade association that runs the NAID AAA Certification for data destruction providers, the PRISM Privacy+ Certification and the Certified Secure Destruction Specialist credential. It formed in 2018 when NAID and PRISM International merged. Unlike R2 and e-Stewards, NAID AAA is audited by i-SIGMA's own auditors through scheduled and unannounced audits.
General sustainability-related financial disclosures
Requirements for disclosure of sustainability-related financial risks and opportunities relevant to users of general-purpose financial reports.
Climate-related disclosures
Requirements for disclosure of climate-related risks and opportunities, including greenhouse gas emissions information.
informal recycling sector · informal processing · waste pickers
Electronics collection and recovery outside formal regulated systems. It can provide livelihoods, but inadequate safeguards may expose workers and nearby communities to pollutants. Formal status alone does not establish safe practices; assess actual working conditions, environmental controls, and downstream handling.
SATA cables · SAS cables · IDE cables · PATA · ribbon cables · internal wiring
Cables inside computers and other electronics carrying power or data between components. Dismantling should separate them appropriately from storage devices, batteries, and circuit boards.
Cross-border personal-data transfer
Sending or making personal data available across borders may trigger GDPR transfer requirements. Shipping data-bearing equipment can raise these questions.
Intertek SAI Global · SAI Global
Intertek is an assurance and certification company that SERI lists as an ANAB-accredited R2 certification body and e-Stewards lists as an accredited e-Stewards certification body. e-Stewards notes it was formerly SAI Global.
International Organization for Standardization
An independent international organization that develops standards. ISO itself does not issue organizational certifications. For any certification claim, verify the standard edition, certificate scope, covered locations, issuing body, and validity.
ISO 17021 · ISO/IEC 17021 · certification body requirements
ISO/IEC 17021-1 is the international standard that sets requirements for bodies that audit and certify management systems. Accreditation bodies such as ANAB assess certification bodies against it before accrediting them. It governs how audits are planned, staffed and decided, including impartiality and auditor competence.
ISO 27001 · information security management · ISMS
Requirements for an information security management system based on risk assessment and treatment. Certification applies to a defined organizational scope; it does not replace asset-level sanitization evidence.
ISO 27002 · information security controls
Guidance on information security controls that can support an ISO/IEC 27001 management system. It is control guidance rather than a standalone organizational certification standard.
ISO 27040 · storage security
A standard addressing security for data storage systems across their lifecycle. Relevant to protecting stored information and planning secure retirement of storage assets.
ISO 27701 · privacy information management · PIMS
Requirements and guidance for a privacy information management system. Relevant to organizations handling personal information, including data-bearing assets. It does not automatically establish compliance with every privacy law.
Quality management systems
Requirements for managing quality through consistent processes, customer focus, and continual improvement. In ITAD, it can support repeatable operations and handling of errors; it does not by itself certify secure data destruction.
Environmental management systems · EMS
Requirements for an environmental management system that helps an organization manage environmental aspects, compliance obligations, and improvement. Relevant to electronics recycling operations, but distinct from recycler-specific certifications.
Life cycle assessment · LCA principles
Principles and framework for life cycle assessment of environmental impacts. Can inform comparisons of electronics reuse, recycling, and replacement when the assessment boundaries and assumptions are appropriate.
Life cycle assessment requirements · LCA
Requirements and guidelines for conducting life cycle assessment, complementing ISO 14040. Relevant to credible environmental comparisons of device lifecycle options.
Greenhouse gas inventories · organizational GHG reporting
Requirements and guidance for quantifying and reporting organization-level greenhouse gas emissions and removals. Supports transparent inventories with defined boundaries and methods.
Product carbon footprint · CFP
Requirements and guidance for quantifying a product’s carbon footprint using life cycle assessment principles. Useful when assessing device-related emissions; results depend on boundaries, data, and assumptions.
Occupational health and safety · OH&S
Requirements for an occupational health and safety management system. Relevant to worker protection during collection, dismantling, material handling, and recycling.
Energy management systems · EnMS
Requirements for an energy management system to improve energy performance. Can support measurement and improvement of energy use in recycling and processing facilities.
Circular economy vocabulary and principles
Vocabulary, principles, and implementation guidance for circular economy practices. Relevant to extending device life and retaining product and material value.
Circular business models · value networks
Guidance on transitioning business models and value networks toward a circular economy. Relevant to reuse, refurbishment, recovery, and collaboration across electronics supply chains.
Circularity performance measurement
A framework for measuring and assessing circularity performance. Helps organizations define boundaries and indicators for evaluating circular practices.
Product circularity data sheet · PCDS
A standard for product circularity data sheets that support consistent sharing of circularity information about products. Relevant to communicating product characteristics across supply chains.
International Sustainability Standards Board
The IFRS Foundation board responsible for IFRS Sustainability Disclosure Standards.
IT Asset Disposition
Managing retired IT equipment through reuse, resale, recycling, or destruction while addressing data security and tracking.
Explore ITAD & value recovery with ecoTechITAM · information technology asset management
Tracking and managing technology assets from planning and acquisition through deployment, maintenance, and retirement. ITAM combines inventory, financial, and contractual information to guide decisions. ITAD addresses the retirement and disposition portion of that broader lifecycle.
Joint Accreditation System of Australia and New Zealand
JAS-ANZ (the Joint Accreditation System of Australia and New Zealand) is the accreditation body for certification bodies in Australia and New Zealand. SERI lists three JAS-ANZ-accredited R2 certification bodies: CAS, Global Mark and Sustainable Certification.
BAN founder · environmental advocate
Environmental advocate who founded Basel Action Network (BAN) in 1997. His work focuses on toxic waste trade, environmental justice, and accountability in electronics recycling. BAN’s advocacy, investigations, and e-Stewards program connect this work to responsible e-waste management.
Lead-Acid Battery · lead acid · Pb
A rechargeable battery using lead-based electrodes and sulfuric-acid electrolyte, commonly found in vehicles and backup power systems.
stadiums · airports · arenas · convention centers · large venues · campuses · hospitals · hotels · transportation hubs · train stations · sporting events
Large sites that can generate substantial volumes of retired electronics through equipment upgrades, maintenance, tenant turnover, and events. Examples include stadiums, airports, arenas, convention centers, train stations, university campuses, hospitals, and hotel complexes. Sporting events and other large gatherings can also generate electronic waste through temporary installations and electronic event wearables. Equipment may include computers, digital signage, displays, network hardware, security systems, point-of-sale terminals, and connected building controls. Collection planning should identify equipment ownership, data-bearing devices, battery handling needs, access restrictions, and reporting responsibilities. This is a descriptive term, not a formal hazardous-waste generator classification.
last mile · last-mile delivery · final mile · first mile · remote device returns · remote employee returns
Last-mile logistics is the final leg of a delivery. In reverse logistics for ITAD, the corresponding first leg moves equipment from a remote employee or site into the return network. Tracking and inventory reconciliation help the project team confirm which devices arrived and follow up on missing returns.
Read the full guide to Last-Mile LogisticsLED · light-emitting diodes · LED lighting · LED bulbs · LED lamps · solid-state lighting
Light-emitting diodes are semiconductor components that produce light when electrical current passes through them. Used in lighting, displays, and indicators, LED products may also contain drivers, circuit boards, metals, and plastics. LEDs do not use mercury like fluorescent lamps, but retired LED products still need an appropriate collection and recycling route. Confirm recycler acceptance and applicable local requirements; LED lamps are not automatically classified as universal waste.
serial cables · parallel cables · RS-232 · FireWire · IEEE 1394 · PS/2
Older interfaces connecting computers and peripherals. They can be collected with suitable cable streams, while attached devices require separate reuse and data assessment.
Lithium Iron Phosphate · LiFePO4
A lithium-ion chemistry using a lithium iron phosphate cathode. The chemistry name does not eliminate the need for proper battery handling.
Li-ion · LIB · lithium ion battery
A rechargeable battery family used in laptops, phones, tools, and vehicles. It needs a dedicated collection pathway rather than ordinary trash or mixed recycling.
Lithium battery chemistry
A broad label covering different chemistries, including rechargeable lithium-ion and commonly nonrechargeable lithium-metal batteries. It is not one recycling category.
Primary lithium · nonrechargeable lithium battery
Batteries containing metallic lithium, commonly used in nonrechargeable cells for cameras, watches, and other devices. They differ from lithium-ion batteries.
mixed plastics · low-value plastics · electronic plastics · contaminated plastics
An informal description of plastic streams with limited recovery value or difficult recycling characteristics, rather than a standardized material grade. In electronics, mixed polymers, attached materials, contamination, aging, and additives can complicate sorting and processing. Some plastics may contain flame retardants or other substances requiring assessment and appropriate handling. Recycling feasibility depends on composition, separation quality, available technology, and demand for recovered material. Collection or shredding alone does not demonstrate that the plastic was recycled.
LES Ecology Center · LESEC · NYC · New York City · community electronics recycling
A New York City environmental organization that has developed community-based urban sustainability programs since 1987. Its work includes recycling and composting services, environmental stewardship, and education. Community recycling events across the five boroughs provide collection opportunities for unwanted electronics and textiles. Check current event details, accepted items, and eligibility before bringing materials.
Ferrous separation · magnetic sorting
Using magnets to recover magnetically responsive materials, such as many iron and steel fractions, from mixed material streams. It differs from eddy current separation, which targets suitable non-ferrous conductive metals.
backup tapes · LTO · DLT · DAT · tape cartridges
Magnetic recording media used for backups, archives, and other records. Track retained information and select media-compatible sanitization or destruction; backup retention obligations may need resolution before disposal.
MDR · managed threat detection · managed incident response
A managed security service focused on detecting, investigating, and responding to threats, combining technology with specialist support. When devices leave service, coordinate monitoring changes and removal of agents or credentials while preserving required incident evidence. MDR is not a substitute for media sanitization.
MSSP · outsourced cybersecurity · managed security services
A provider of outsourced monitoring or management of security systems and services. Its scope may include alert monitoring, security-tool administration, or incident support. For retired equipment, coordinate access revocation and security-record updates with IT and ITAD teams. MSSP status alone does not establish data destruction capability or recycling certification.
MSP · managed IT services · outsourced IT support
A third-party provider that manages agreed IT services, such as networks, endpoints, applications, or support. In device retirement, an MSP may coordinate inventory, replacement schedules, account removal, and handoff to an ITAD provider. Responsibilities depend on the contract; managed IT services do not automatically include recycling or verified data sanitization.
Resource recovery
Separating and recovering materials such as metals, plastics, and glass from retired products.
MERF · MRF · materials recovery facility · material recycling facility · sorting facility
A facility that sorts and prepares recyclable materials for further processing or sale. MRF is commonly pronounced “murf” and is sometimes written informally as MERF. Many MRFs handle mixed recyclables such as paper, plastics, and metals; they are not automatically equipped to accept electronics or batteries. Confirm the facility’s accepted materials and processing capabilities before routing e-waste there.
Size reduction · granulation · material shredding
Mechanically reducing equipment or materials into smaller pieces to support sorting and recovery. Processing requires suitable feedstock preparation and controls for dust, fires, and other hazards. Recycling shredding alone is not evidence that data sanitization requirements have been met.
Medtech · medical technology · medical electronics · healthcare equipment · medical devices
Medical technology used for diagnosis, monitoring, or treatment. In an e-waste context, this includes electronic equipment such as patient monitors, imaging systems, diagnostic instruments, and connected health devices. Retirement may require patient-data sanitization, battery management, and assessment of contamination or other specialized hazards. Coordinate disposition with the healthcare facility and manufacturer; not every medical product belongs in a standard electronics recycling stream.
SD · microSD · CompactFlash · CFexpress · removable flash memory
Removable solid-state storage used in cameras, phones, drones, and other devices. Removing a card from a device does not erase it; assess and sanitize it separately.
MDM · mobile device management · managed devices · device enrollment · remote wipe
Software and administrative practices used to centrally configure, monitor, and secure managed devices such as smartphones and tablets. Capabilities can include policy enforcement, application deployment, and remote locking or wiping, depending on the platform and enrollment. When retiring a device, coordinate verified data sanitization with authorized removal from management and enrollment systems. Removing management alone does not erase stored data, and issuing a remote-wipe command does not by itself confirm successful sanitization.
Technology museums · computer museums · historical electronics · artifact donation · technology preservation
An institution that preserves and interprets technological history through artifacts, archives, and exhibitions. Historically significant computers and electronics may be candidates for museum donation rather than material recycling. Museums select acquisitions according to their collection policies; obtain acceptance before shipping or dropping off equipment. Coordinate any data sanitization with the museum so sensitive information is protected while historically valuable material is handled appropriately.
Mobius loop · Möbius strip · recycling symbol · chasing arrows · universal recycling symbol · three arrows recycling logo
The Möbius loop is the three chasing arrows symbol used to signal that a product or its packaging is recyclable; inside a circle, it signals recycled content. It is a claim, not a guarantee: the symbol is in the public domain, anyone can print it, and it does not mean your local program accepts the item. Rules such as the FTC Green Guides and California's SB 343 limit how it can be used.
National Accreditation Board for Certification Bodies
NABCB (the National Accreditation Board for Certification Bodies) is India's accreditation body for certification, inspection and validation bodies. It is a constituent board of the Quality Council of India. SERI lists URS as an NABCB-accredited R2 certification body.
NAID AAA Certification
An i-SIGMA certification program that evaluates data destruction providers against program requirements for defined services.
Nickel Cobalt Aluminum
A lithium-ion cathode chemistry containing nickel, cobalt, and aluminum.
NGO · NGOs · non-governmental organisation · civil society organization · CSO
An organization independent of government control, typically nonprofit and organized around public-interest goals at a local, national, or international level. In the electronics lifecycle, NGOs may conduct research, advocate for responsible recycling and repair, raise awareness of environmental and worker impacts, or organize community programs. NGO status alone does not establish recycling certification or regulatory authority.
Nickel-Cadmium Battery
A rechargeable battery chemistry containing nickel and cadmium. It should be routed to an appropriate battery recycler.
Nickel-Metal Hydride Battery
A rechargeable battery chemistry found in some electronics and other equipment.
NIST 800-88 · media sanitization guidelines
NIST guidance for developing a media sanitization program and selecting suitable methods. It is guidance, not a recycler certification.
Read the full guide to NIST SP 800-88Nickel Manganese Cobalt · NCM
A lithium-ion cathode chemistry containing nickel, manganese, and cobalt. Composition varies across formulations.
non-OECD destinations · OECD non-members · Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development
Countries that are not members of the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD). In e-waste discussions, this distinction is relevant to cross-border shipment controls and concerns about transferring waste to destinations without adequate safeguards. OECD membership alone does not establish whether a shipment is lawful or whether a facility handles electronics responsibly. Applicable requirements depend on the exporting, transit, and receiving countries, the classification of the shipment as waste or used equipment, and relevant treaties and national rules. Non-OECD countries are not a uniform group, and their recycling capabilities and import restrictions vary.
National Standards Authority of Ireland, Inc. · NSAI
NSAI Inc. (National Standards Authority of Ireland, Inc.) is the U.S. certification arm of Ireland's national standards body. SERI lists it as an ANAB-accredited R2 certification body.
NSF International · NSF-ISR
NSF is a public health and safety organization that also operates as a certification body. SERI lists it as an ANAB-accredited R2 certification body.
Original Equipment Manufacturer · original manufacturer · OEM parts
Original Equipment Manufacturer: a company that makes equipment or components used in a finished product. Usage varies: OEM can refer to a component supplier or the manufacturer of the complete device. In ITAD, OEM information helps identify equipment, obtain repair and sanitization instructions, check parts compatibility, and investigate take-back programs. OEM status is not a recycling certification.
Facility destruction
Destruction performed at a processing facility after equipment or media is transported there.
Mobile destruction
Destruction performed at the customer’s location. Custody and documentation still need to be managed.
wire burning · cable burning · uncontrolled burning
Uncontrolled burning of discarded electronics or cable insulation to recover materials. It can release toxic fumes and contaminate surrounding air, soil, and water. It is distinct from controlled industrial processing and is an unsafe recovery practice.
CD · DVD · Blu-ray · optical media
Discs that store information using optical recording. Some formats are rewritable and others are write-once; sanitization options depend on the format and required assurance.
Paris climate accord
An international climate treaty aiming to hold warming well below 2°C and pursue efforts to limit it to 1.5°C above pre-industrial levels.
PCB · PCBs · polychlorinated biphenyl · PCB-containing equipment
A group of synthetic chemicals historically used in electrical equipment and other applications. Older transformers, capacitors, and fluorescent-light ballasts may contain PCBs. Suspected PCB-containing equipment requires assessment and management under applicable requirements, rather than automatic acceptance into a standard e-waste stream. These chemicals are distinct from printed circuit boards, which share the PCB abbreviation.
PCB · PCBs · circuit board · printed circuit board assembly · PCBA
A board with conductive pathways that connect electronic components. Found in computers, phones, and many other devices, circuit boards combine metals with insulating materials and may contain valuable recoverable resources. Retired boards require suitable electronics processing; boards containing memory or storage components may also need data sanitization. This meaning of PCB is distinct from polychlorinated biphenyl chemicals.
PJR · Perry Johnson Registrars, Inc.
Perry Johnson Registrars (PJR) is an ANAB-accredited certification body headquartered in Troy, Michigan, and an accredited registrar since 1994. It is authorized to certify facilities to both R2 and e-Stewards.
Drive destruction
Physically damaging storage media using a process selected to make its data unrecoverable.
built to die · built-in obsolescence · programmed obsolescence · premature obsolescence · temporary lifecycles · short device lifespans
The deliberate planning or design of a product with a limited useful life so that it becomes obsolete or stops functioning prematurely, encouraging replacement. Often described informally as “built to die,” it raises questions about durability, repairability, replacement parts, and software support. Short battery life, difficult repairs, or discontinued updates can shorten device use, but a short lifespan alone does not establish deliberate intent: ordinary wear, technical limitations, and changing user needs can also lead to replacement. Longer support periods, repairable designs, reuse, and refurbishment can help reduce avoidable e-waste.
power cords · mains cables · extension cords
Cables supplying electrical power to equipment. Separate them from attached power supplies or battery packs when appropriate, and confirm accepted collection streams.
printers · copiers · MFD · MFP · scanners · fax machines
Office equipment used to print, copy, scan, or fax documents. Some models retain document images, job records, address books, credentials, or network settings on internal storage. Include these devices in inventory and data-security planning, and coordinate manufacturer-supported sanitization with lease-return or reuse requirements.
Professional Records and Information Services Management · PRISM · records management · i-SIGMA · Privacy+
Professional Records and Information Services Management (PRISM) International was a trade association for records and information management service providers. It merged with NAID in 2018 to form i-SIGMA. Its legacy continues through records management education, advocacy, and the PRISM Privacy+ certification program. Association membership is distinct from certification.
Extended Producer Responsibility · EPR · product stewardship · producer take-back
An approach that assigns producers a role in managing the impacts of their products, including collection and end-of-life treatment. Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) policies can require producers to finance or organize take-back, recycling, and reporting. Requirements vary by jurisdiction and product type; electronics and battery programs may have different scopes. Voluntary product stewardship and legally mandated EPR are distinct.
Purging media
Sanitization making recovery infeasible using state-of-the-art laboratory techniques, while potentially allowing media reuse.
Pyrometallurgical recovery · thermal metal recovery
A broad category of high-temperature processes used to extract or recover metals. Smelting is one example. Battery and electronics recovery routes may combine thermal and solution-based processing; recoverable metals vary by process.
Responsible Recycling · R2 certification
An electronics reuse and recycling certification standard administered by SERI. Certification applies to defined facility operations.
R2 auditors · R2 registrars · SERI-authorized certification bodies · R2v3 certification bodies
R2 certification bodies are the independent auditing organizations that SERI authorizes to audit electronics recyclers and ITAD facilities and issue R2 certificates. SERI certifies the certification bodies, and they certify the facilities; SERI has no role in individual certification decisions. Each body is accredited by a national accreditation body such as ANAB, NABCB or JAS-ANZ.
R2 version 3
Version 3 of the R2 Standard, with core requirements and additional requirements for applicable specialized processes.
Resource Conservation and Recovery Act
A U.S. federal law establishing a framework for solid and hazardous waste management. Its hazardous-waste program addresses generation, transportation, treatment, storage, and disposal. Electronics-related requirements depend on material classification and applicable exclusions or special rules, with potentially stricter state requirements.
Internal reuse
Returning suitable equipment to service within an organization instead of replacing or selling it.
Reconditioning
Inspecting, repairing, and preparing used equipment for continued use.
IT equipment resale
Preparing and selling retired equipment that still has useful life and market value.
RMM · remote management tools · remote administration
Tools used to monitor and administer IT systems remotely, often by managed service providers. Their access can be sensitive. Device retirement should address installed agents, administrative credentials, and remote-access permissions alongside data sanitization and inventory updates.
remaining resale value · recovery value
The estimated value remaining in equipment at a particular point in its lifecycle. In ITAD, potential resale proceeds depend on condition, specifications, demand, locks, and support status. Gross resale value differs from net recovery after processing, logistics, and agreed fees.
Second life
Using equipment or components again rather than processing them into raw materials.
returns logistics · equipment returns · IT asset returns · reverse supply chain
Reverse logistics is the process of moving equipment backward through the supply chain, from users, offices and data centers back to an organization or service provider, for assessment, repair, redeployment, resale, recycling or other disposition. In ITAD, it also has to protect the data on every device in transit, so it combines transport and storage with chain of custody, serialized tracking and secure data destruction.
Explore reverse logistics with ecoTechRight to be forgotten · GDPR deletion request
A GDPR right to request deletion in specified circumstances, subject to exceptions.
R2R · repair rights · repairability
Policies and laws that support owners and independent repairers in fixing products, including access to parts, tools, and repair information. Specific rights vary by location and product.
robots · robotic systems · industrial robots · service robots · autonomous robots
Machines that use programmed control, sensors, and mechanical components to perform tasks. Robotic systems may include computers, controllers, cameras, networking hardware, motors, and batteries. Retirement can involve separate handling of electronic and mechanical components, stored operational data, and equipment-specific hazards. Follow applicable manufacturer and facility procedures when decommissioning the system, then assess components for reuse or recycling.
Restriction of Hazardous Substances · RoHS Directive
European Union rules restricting specified hazardous substances in electrical and electronic equipment, subject to scope provisions and exemptions. RoHS addresses product composition, while WEEE rules address collection and treatment of waste equipment. RoHS compliance does not establish that a discarded device can go into ordinary trash or that its data has been sanitized.
Direct emissions
Direct greenhouse gas emissions from sources owned or controlled by an organization.
Purchased energy emissions
Indirect emissions from generation of purchased electricity, steam, heat, or cooling consumed by an organization.
Value-chain emissions
Other indirect emissions across an organization’s value chain. Categories depend on the reporting organization and activity.
Sustainable Electronics Recycling International
The nonprofit organization that administers the R2 Standard and supports electronics sustainability.
Serial-number tracking
Reporting that identifies individual assets by serial number rather than only by quantity or weight.
Read the full guide to Serialized Reportingservers · routers · switches · firewalls · network appliances
Equipment supporting computing, storage, communication, and network security. Servers may contain multiple storage devices; network appliances may retain configuration files, credentials, logs, or other information. Identify data locations and ownership, coordinate service shutdown, and verify sanitization before reuse or recycling.
Single stream · commingled recycling · mixed recycling · curbside recycling
A collection system in which accepted recyclables, such as paper, cardboard, metal cans, and certain plastic or glass containers, are placed together and later sorted at a material recovery facility. Accepted materials vary by local program. Single-stream collection is not the same as electronics recycling: do not assume electronics are accepted, and keep lithium-ion batteries and devices containing them out of curbside recycling because they can cause fires.
Electronic textiles · e-textiles · connected clothing · heated clothing · illuminated apparel
Clothing or footwear incorporating electrical or electronic components, such as sensors, controllers, lights, or battery-powered heating. At retirement, the textile, electronics, and batteries may require different recovery routes. Ordinary clothing is textile waste rather than e-waste. Ask whether a recycler accepts the complete product, and follow manufacturer instructions for safely detachable components.
Connected devices · Internet of Things · IoT · smart TVs · smart speakers · wearables · smart cameras
Electronics with software and connectivity that enable functions such as sensing, automation, remote control, or data sharing. Examples include smart TVs, speakers, cameras, thermostats, and wearables. When retired, these devices may retain personal information, account credentials, network settings, or removable storage. Review manufacturer instructions for data removal and account unlinking, including associated cloud services.
mobile phones · cell phones · cellular phones · iPhone · Android phones
Mobile phones that combine cellular communication with computing, internet access, apps, cameras, and onboard storage. Retired smartphones may retain personal or business information and account associations. Before reuse or recycling, address data sanitization, account and device-management locks, removable storage, and SIM or eSIM arrangements as applicable. Assess working devices for reuse and handle embedded batteries through an appropriate collection or recycling program.
Smart TV · connected television · internet-enabled television · streaming TV
Televisions with software and network connectivity for streaming apps and other connected services. They may retain account sign-ins, network settings, app information, and other personal data. Before reuse or recycling, follow model-specific instructions for resetting the TV and removing account associations; resetting the device does not necessarily delete information held by cloud services. Confirm that the receiving recycler accepts televisions.
Smelter · metal smelting · furnace recovery
High-temperature processing that uses chemical reactions and molten phases to extract or recover metals from suitable feedstocks. In electronics recycling, specialized smelters may process circuit boards or metal-rich fractions. Smelting is more than simply melting scrap, and it requires appropriate emissions controls and management of residues.
Solar panel · photovoltaic panels · PV modules · solar panel recycling
Photovoltaic modules that convert sunlight into electricity. At retirement, suitable panels may be reused and others processed to recover materials. Waste classification and handling requirements depend on the panels and applicable rules.
Solid-State Drive · flash storage
Storage using flash memory rather than rotating magnetic platters. Its sanitization needs differ from magnetic drives.
stadiums · arenas · sports venues · event venues · scoreboards · LED bracelets
Retired electronic equipment from sports and entertainment venues, including digital signage, scoreboard components, audio and video systems, networking equipment, ticket scanners, payment terminals, security devices, and electronic event wearables. Upgrade projects and event operations can create different collection needs. Asset owners should separate reusable equipment, data-bearing devices, batteries, and small mixed-material electronics, and confirm which items the recycler accepts.
SCCs · EU transfer clauses
European Commission contractual clauses used in appropriate circumstances to provide safeguards for international personal-data transfers.
data storage media · digital media · removable media
Physical materials or devices that hold information, including magnetic, optical, and solid-state formats. Identify the media type and sensitivity before choosing an appropriate, verified sanitization method.
Education data disposal
Securely disposing of student data when permitted. FERPA does not impose one universal retention period; outstanding access requests and applicable agreements may limit destruction.
annual audit · maintenance audit
A surveillance audit is a periodic follow-up audit a certification body performs between full certification audits to confirm a certified company still meets the standard. Under ISO/IEC 17021-1 management-system certification, surveillance typically happens at least yearly, with a full recertification audit before the certificate's three-year cycle ends. Major findings can lead to suspension or withdrawal of the certificate.
Sustainable electronics management
Managing environmental and social impacts over time. For electronics, this includes product life, resource use, responsible processing, and worker protection.
ecodesign · eco-design · design for environment · DfE · green design · sustainable product design · circular design
Sustainable design is the practice of designing products to reduce their environmental impact across their whole life: the materials used, energy in use, how long they last, and what happens at end of life. For electronics, that means devices built to be durable, repairable, upgradable and easy to take apart, so they stay in use longer and their materials can be recovered when they are retired.
tech refresh · hardware refresh · refresh cycle
A planned replacement or upgrade of technology equipment. Refresh projects can generate batches of retired laptops, desktops, servers, and other devices. Coordinate new deployments with collection, data sanitization, reuse assessment, and disposition records for outgoing equipment.
3PL · equipment transport · reverse logistics · collection and warehousing
Outsourced services for moving and storing goods. In ITAD, a third-party logistics provider may collect, package, transport, or warehouse retired equipment. Secure handling includes documented custody transfers, asset reconciliation, controlled storage, and procedures for losses or discrepancies. Providing transport does not by itself make a vendor a recycler or data destruction provider.
subcontractors · external service providers · vendor oversight
Outside organizations engaged to provide services. In ITAD, these can include collection crews, logistics providers, storage facilities, data destruction providers, and downstream processors. Oversight should match the service and risk, with clear responsibilities, security requirements, subcontracting controls, and documented performance.
lead · mercury · hazardous substances · e-waste exposure · heavy metals
Contact with harmful substances released when electronics are processed or discarded unsafely. Exposure can occur through contaminated air, dust, soil, and water, affecting workers and communities. Children and pregnant women are particularly vulnerable. Appropriate processing controls help prevent releases.
cross-border waste shipments · international e-waste shipments · e-waste imports · e-waste exports
Movement of electronic waste across national borders, potentially through transit countries before reaching its destination. Applicable controls can include shipment classification, notification, consent, documentation, and import restrictions. Describing a load as reusable equipment does not by itself establish that it is legally outside waste controls. Verify the actual condition, intended use, and applicable rules.
Toxic Substances Control Act
A U.S. federal law giving EPA authority over specified chemical-substance activities, including testing and restrictions. For electronics retirement, TSCA is particularly relevant to equipment or materials containing polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs). It is distinct from RCRA waste rules; requirements depend on the substances and activities involved.
surprise audit · no-notice audit
An unannounced audit is an inspection performed without advance notice, so auditors see a facility's everyday practices rather than a prepared one. i-SIGMA uses both scheduled and unannounced audits to verify NAID AAA-certified data destruction providers, checking secure processes, chain of custody and employee screening.
UN Climate · UNFCCC secretariat
The United Nations entity supporting the international response to climate change and the UNFCCC, Kyoto Protocol, and Paris Agreement processes. It is not a recycler certification.
United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change
The international climate treaty providing a framework for cooperation among countries. Its secretariat is known as UN Climate Change.
Universal waste management · 40 CFR Part 273
A regulatory category with streamlined management requirements for certain widely generated hazardous wastes. Federal categories include qualifying batteries, pesticides, mercury-containing equipment, lamps, and aerosol cans. State rules vary; not all electronics or batteries qualify.
Explore universal waste managementuniversities · colleges · higher education · campuses · university e-waste · research labs · student move-out
Retired electronics generated across university and college campuses, including classroom technology, staff computers, research equipment, library devices, networking hardware, and student electronics. Challenges include coordinating decentralized departments, identifying equipment ownership and funding restrictions, managing large upgrade or move-out collections, and protecting student, employee, and research data. Laboratory equipment may require separate assessment for contamination or other hazards before electronics recycling. Reuse, donation, secure data sanitization, and documented recycling should be planned across campus operations.
UPS · uninterruptible power supply · battery backup
Equipment providing temporary backup power when the normal supply fails or is interrupted. UPS units combine electronics with batteries, which may use lead-acid, lithium-ion, or other chemistries. Retirement planning should identify battery type and condition and arrange appropriate equipment and battery handling.
E-waste urban mining · secondary raw materials · metals recovery
Recovering valuable materials from discarded products and other human-made material stocks. For e-waste, this includes recovering metals such as copper, gold, and aluminum for use in new products, with appropriate environmental and worker protections.
USB-A · USB-B · USB-C · micro USB · mini USB
Cables used for power and data connections. Connector shape does not by itself establish supported speed or capabilities. Assess attached adapters or electronics separately from the cable.
thumb drives · memory sticks · flash drives
Portable solid-state storage devices connected through USB. They may contain sensitive files despite their small size; include them in inventory and sanitization workflows.
Sanitization validation
Assessing whether sanitization results adequately address the risk and intended disposition.
Sanitization verification
Checking that the sanitization process completed successfully.
WaaS · warehousing as a service · outsourced warehousing · equipment storage
An outsourced service providing warehouse space and related handling or inventory services, with scope and pricing defined by agreement. For IT equipment, it may support temporary storage, staged deployments, redeployment, or consolidation before disposition. Confirm asset identification, access controls, custody records, insurance arrangements, storage conditions, and retrieval procedures. Storage is not final disposition or data sanitization; data-bearing equipment requires protection while awaiting its next step.
Wearable technology · wearables · smart glasses · connected glasses · smartwatches · fitness trackers · smart rings · AR glasses
Electronic devices worn on the body, including smart glasses, smartwatches, fitness trackers, and smart rings. Retired wearables can contain batteries and stored or cloud-linked personal data, so responsible disposition includes data removal, account unlinking, and suitable electronics or battery recycling. Conventional glasses without electronics are not e-waste.
WEEE Directive · Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment · Directive 2012/19/EU · EU electronics recycling
Rules governing waste electrical and electronic equipment. In the European Union, the WEEE Directive (2012/19/EU), as amended, establishes a framework for separate collection, treatment, recovery, and producer responsibility for covered electrical and electronic equipment. Member states implement the directive through national laws, so registration, reporting, take-back arrangements, and enforcement vary by country. The UK has its own WEEE regulations. Check the jurisdiction and product scope rather than assuming one set of rules applies everywhere.
Major appliances · large appliance recycling
Large household or commercial appliances such as refrigerators, freezers, washing machines, dryers, ranges, and water heaters. Refrigerant-containing appliances require appropriate refrigerant recovery before final disposal.
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