IT Disposal and Recycling

A General Disposal Process

Leave the recycling and disposal process of various old IT equipment to eSolia. We will arrange disposal or recycling of your various IT assets - old PCs, monitors, servers or network equipment - as per your constraints and policies. For example, we will follow your policy for complete data destruction of data in old hard disk drives or other storage media.

Additionally, we can arrange trade-in of your old IT assets such as PCs or network devices, which can somewhat offset the cost of disposal. Of course, it is also possible to trade-in used IT equipment after removing the hard disks or other storage media, and arranging for their disposal.

Finally, we will arrange to supply a “manifest” or certificate of disposal, which can be provided only by government-selected certified vendors.

Step by Step Process

What follows is the general process we use, when arranging disposal, recycling or trade-in:

Create Inventory File - List all IT assets subject to disposal, recycling or trade-in (find IT or accounting asset numbers, serial and model numbers, support contract numbers, photographs and so on).
Coordinate with Departments and Vendors - Confirm with stakeholder groups (general affairs, accounting, IT etc), and arrange quotes from eSolia’s selected government-certified disposal vendors.
Schedule Handover - Decide handover date, arrange with building superintendent as needed, and steward the rest of the process.
Oversee Disposal Process - Monitor the recycling and disposal processing to ensure compliance with your requirements.
Obtain Certificates - Receive the official certificate or manifest, complete the eSolia report, and submit both to the appropriate stakeholders.
Update Records - Assist with update of your asset inventory lists.

Key Benefits

Certified Disposal: Work with government-certified disposal vendors
Data Security: Complete data destruction following your security policies
Cost Optimization: Trade-in options to offset disposal costs
Compliance Documentation: Official manifests and certificates provided
End-to-End Management: Full process coordination from inventory to completion
Asset Tracking: Professional documentation and record keeping

What We Handle

Desktop Computers & Laptops: Complete data destruction and recycling
Servers & Network Equipment: Secure disposal with proper documentation
Monitors & Peripherals: Environmentally responsible recycling
Storage Devices: Secure data destruction and disposal
Mobile Devices: Corporate device lifecycle management
Cables & Accessories: Complete equipment disposal coordination

Compliance & Certification

Government-certified disposal vendors only
Official manifest documentation provided
Data destruction certificates
Environmental compliance reporting
Asset tracking and documentation
Stakeholder coordination and reporting

Understanding Japan’s Unique IT Disposal Environment

Japan’s approach to IT equipment disposal differs significantly from most other countries, creating challenges for international businesses unfamiliar with the local regulatory landscape. Unlike the typical municipal waste systems found globally, Japan operates under a complex web of manufacturer responsibility laws and industrial waste regulations that can confuse newcomers.

The PC Recycling Law (資源有効利用促進法) Explained

Why Japan is Different:
Japan’s PC Recycling Law, enacted in 2003, represents a fundamental shift from traditional waste management. Unlike most countries where local governments handle electronic waste, Japan places responsibility directly on manufacturers. This system emerged from Japan’s limited landfill space and commitment to manufacturer accountability.

How the PC Recycle Mark System Works:

The Sticker System: Every laptop and PC sold after October 1, 2003 includes a small recycling sticker with contact information
Free vs. Paid Disposal: Newer devices with the “PC Recycle Mark” (PCリサイクルマーク) can be returned free; older devices cost ¥3,000-7,000
Manufacturer Contact Process: You must contact the original manufacturer directly - Dell handles Dell computers, Lenovo handles ThinkPads, etc.
No Local Government Involvement: Unlike household appliances, municipalities will refuse to collect PCs, regardless of size
Backup System: The PC3R Promotion Association handles orphaned devices from defunct manufacturers

Practical Implications for International Companies:

IT managers cannot simply “throw away” old laptops
Each brand requires separate coordination with different manufacturers
Budget planning must account for disposal fees on older equipment
Asset tracking becomes critical for proper disposal routing

Industrial Waste: A Separate Legal Framework

Why Business Equipment is Different:
Servers, network equipment, and bulk business disposal fall under Japan’s Industrial Waste Management Law (産業廃棄物処理法), a completely separate legal framework from the PC law. This system treats IT equipment as industrial waste requiring specialized handling.

The Manifest System Explained:
Japan’s “manifest” (マニフェスト) system tracks industrial waste from generation to final disposal. Think of it as a legal chain of custody that follows your equipment through multiple handlers. Each transfer requires documentation, and the final certificate proves legal compliance.

Cost Structure and Contracting:

Formal Contracts Required: Cannot dispose of business equipment without signed contracts with certified vendors
Government Certification: Only officially licensed companies can handle industrial IT waste
Typical Costs: Budget approximately ¥200,000 for standard server room cleanouts, varying by volume and complexity
Data Destruction: Separate certification required for secure data destruction, following both Japanese law and international standards like NIST 800-88

Data Security in the Japanese Context

Bridging International and Local Standards:
Japanese businesses operating under global compliance frameworks (SOX, GDPR, ISO 27001) must satisfy both international data destruction standards and local certification requirements. This dual compliance creates documentation complexity that many international IT managers find challenging.

Certificate Requirements:

Serial-Level Tracking: Each hard drive must be individually documented by serial number
Bilingual Documentation: Certificates often needed in both Japanese (for local compliance) and English (for global audits)
Multiple Standards: Must meet both NIST 800-88 international standards and Japanese industrial waste law requirements

eSolia’s Bridge Service

Navigating Two Worlds:
eSolia specializes in helping international companies navigate Japan’s unique disposal environment while maintaining global compliance standards. We handle the cultural and linguistic barriers that often frustrate foreign IT managers trying to understand Japan’s complex system.

Our Comprehensive Approach:

Regulatory Translation: Explain Japanese requirements in terms familiar to international businesses
Dual Compliance: Ensure disposal meets both local Japanese law and global corporate standards
Documentation Bridge: Provide certificates in formats suitable for both local and international auditing
Process Integration: Integrate Japanese disposal requirements into existing global IT asset management processes
Ongoing Support: Monitor regulatory changes and communicate impacts to international stakeholders

This process usually requires one to a few weeks, depending upon the amount of equipment to be handled, and each client’s unique requirements. Please consider eSolia to handle this process on your behalf.