Last update from: 05.11.2025
Every unused notebook loses value every day - and still costs money. Sounds paradoxical, but it's part of everyday life in many companies: Old devices are stored in drawers, cupboards or IT rooms, even though they have long since been written off. The result? Capital commitment, IT costs, security risks and lost revenue.
Thoughtful handling of disused hardware is not only good for the environment, but also makes economic sense.
So today we want to take a look at how you can use old mobile devices such as work laptops or company cell phones sensibly.
TL;DR - What you should take with you
- Unused IT equipment costs money: through capital commitment, storage, IT costs & risks.
- The secondary marketing of devices that are no longer required reduces costs and generates revenue.
- Device-as-a-Service helps to avoid the problem of old devices.
The price of unused devices
Many companies underestimate the hidden costs of their "equipment stockpiles". At first glance, storing a few discarded notebooks in the cupboard seems harmless. But at second glance, the hidden costs quickly add up:
- Tied-up capital: A depreciated notebook in the warehouse blocks capital that could be put to better use, for example for new projects or as a liquidity reserve. Assuming 5% capital costs per year, this can quickly add up.
- Storage & handling: IT devices need space - at best in a secure room, at worst just anywhere. Added to this is the effort involved in stocktaking, tracking and the risk of loss or mix-ups.
- Loss of value: IT equipment is like a new car: as soon as you buy it, the price starts to fall. New models, shorter innovation cycles and technical ageing quickly reduce the resale value.
- IT effort: Even if a device is no longer in active use, it still causes work - be it deactivation, asset tracking or ad hoc support for remaining users.
- Compliance risk: the worst case? Old devices with sensitive data lying around unattended cause compliance problems. Without certified erasure, there is a risk of data protection violations with all the legal and financial consequences.
The costs at a glance
Example: 80 unused notebooks
- Average residual value: 150 €
- Tied capital (8 % p.a.): € 960/year
- Storage/handling costs: €3/device/month = €2,880/year
- IT costs: 1 hour/device at € 60 = € 4,800
- Total costs per year: over € 8,500
Takeaway: Doing nothing is the most expensive option.
What options companies have
The good news is that nobody has to sit on old devices. Companies have several options for getting rid of unused IT hardware, with different advantages and disadvantages.
re-market
The most economically and ecologically sensible option. Functional devices can be put back into circulation via professional partners, generating potential revenue and a positive sustainability effect.
donations
This is also possible, for example at educational institutions or non-profit organizations. However, the organizational effort involved is greater, particularly due to data protection requirements and documentation obligations.
recycling
The only option for contaminated sites, defective, or irreparable equipment is professional recycling. Important: Environmental standards and recycling requirements must be observed here.
dispose of
If there is no longer any sensible reuse, disposal is the only option. Under no circumstances is disposal in household waste permitted. This is prohibited by law and may result in fines.
Digression: Safety first when disposing of old appliances
Regardless of whether a device is passed on or recycled, the complete deletion of all data is essential to ensure that sensitive information does not fall into the wrong hands.
Best Practices for Data Deletion:
- Certified data erasure: Use providers that guarantee secure and traceable data erasure.
- Physical destruction: Physical destruction of hard disks may be necessary for particularly sensitive data.
How to protect your company from data misuse and compliance violations.
Legal compact
- Companies are legally obliged to dispose of old appliances in an environmentally friendly manner.
- Dealers have take-back and information obligations under certain conditions.
Other rules apply in some cases for privately used small appliances. - Important: Data protection always applies, even for donated or recycled devices.
Recycling old appliances with Lendis – it's that easy
If you want to get rid of old devices but don't have the internal resources for data erasure, evaluation and logistics, Lendis is the perfect solution. As a professional IT partner, Lendis takes care of the entire secondary recycling process.
For you, this means: no hassle with handling, no uncertainty about data security, no losses due to poor sales conditions.
While internal attempts often fail due to a lack of time or experience, Lendis knows the market and achieves significantly better prices through specialized partner networks than would be possible in-house. Plus: everything is documented in an audit-proof manner.
This is how the process works with Lendis
- Record inventory: You start with a simple export or list: model name, serial numbers or IMEI, condition, and accessories are usually sufficient.
- Valuation & offer: Based on current market prices, you will receive a transparent assessment of the device's value.
- Pickup & logistics: Lendis organizes all logistics, including secure packaging, pickup, and chain of custody.
- Certified deletion: Data deletion is carried out in accordance with the highest standards (Blancco) and is logged.
- Remarketing & payment: Lendis takes care of marketing, and you receive the corresponding device value.
The result: you save yourself stress, time and unnecessary risks - and turn old appliances into budget for new ones.
Do you want to recycle smartphones and laptops you no longer need?
Lendis is your professional partner for IT remarketing.
Rental model instead of mountains of old devices
It's even easier if you don't have to manage old appliances in the first place. With the Lendis rental model, the issue of old appliances is completely eliminated, as the take-back and secondary recycling are part of the service.
Instead of buying equipment and later storing, maintaining and disposing of it yourself, you rent exactly what your team needs from Lendis - and only for as long as it is needed. At the end of the life cycle, there's no stress - we simply collect it, including certified erasure and remarketing.
The advantages:
- OPEX instead of CAPEX: Avoid high acquisition costs and capital commitment. You only pay for actual use. More about the advantages of opex vs. capex
- Scalability: Is your team growing continuously? No problem: simply add or return devices.
- Lifecycle services included: Lendis takes care of provision, support, redemption, deletion - and also secondary marketing.
- No storage costs, no stockpiles: You stay in control, without hardware ballast.
- TCO benefits: No storage costs, no old devices, no more surprising IT expenses. Your IT runs more smoothly - by design. More about Total Cost of Ownership
Conclusion: If you rent, you never have to worry about old appliances again - that's what Lendis does.
Practical checklist: 10 points for recycling your old appliances
Ready to dismantle old appliances? With this checklist you are ready to go:
- Asset export with serial numbers, condition, specifications
- Remove MDM/Autopilot, release activation locks
- Check encryption, ensure certified erasure
- Enclose power supply units & accessories
- Classifying devices: remarketable or recycling?
- Obtain internal approvals (IT, Legal, Finance)
- Plan time slots for logistics
- Name a contact person
- Document ESG data (e.g. CO₂ savings)
- Incorporate learnings into future IT strategy
Which devices does Lendis use?
Lendis takes over the remarketing of your entire mobile device fleet, including laptops, smartphones and tablets. Do you have other devices that you want to dispose of? Then send us an inquiry. We can often also take care of other IT hardware.
How to delete securely?
When IT devices are returned, we take care of the GDPR-compliant erasure of all data using certified procedures. Lendis uses the Blancco software solution for data erasure, the global market leader for certified erasure procedures. This ensures that every hard drive, notebook or smartphone is erased completely and tamper-proof - without the possibility of recovery. The process is ISO-certified, meets the requirements of the GDPR and is documented with audit-proof erasure certificates, including an individual erasure report for each device. Even security authorities such as NATO rely on Blancco - so you can reliably protect your sensitive company data.
What does the price I receive for my mobile devices depend on?
The price we offer you for your IT equipment depends on several factors. These include, for example, the general condition of the device, the remaining battery power, the presence of accessories and original packaging, etc.
Donate or sell old hardware - what should I do?
This depends entirely on the preferences of your company. Donations help the good cause, sales generate direct revenue.
How quickly will I receive the money for my devices?
If we have all the necessary information about the devices, we can make you an offer to take over your mobile devices within a few days, usually within 48 hours.
With Device as a Service from Lendis, returning old IT equipment becomes a no-brainer: secure data erasure, professional remarketing or environmentally friendly recycling - all from a single source, with no effort on your part.
