It’s easy to let outdated IT equipment pile up in a storage room or warehouse corner. After all, it might come in handy someday, right?
In reality, holding on to obsolete technology often costs more than companies realize—whether through hidden expenses, compliance risks, or lost opportunities to recover value.
In this post, we’ll break down the true cost of storing old IT equipment and how you can turn that tech clutter into cash with a smart disposition strategy.
Why Businesses Hang Onto Old Equipment
Before we look at the costs, let’s address a common question: Why do companies hold onto outdated gear in the first place?
Here are some of the usual reasons:
- “We might need it for parts.”
- “It still works—someone could use it.”
- “We don’t know how to dispose of it securely.”
- “We’re waiting for the next office move/refresh/project…”
While these are understandable, they often lead to delayed decisions—and the longer you wait, the more it costs.
Hidden Costs of Storing Obsolete Tech
- Physical Storage Costs
Old equipment takes up space that could be used for more productive purposes. Whether you’re leasing a storage unit or using office square footage, that space has a cost.
Let’s say you’re paying $25/sq ft annually and using 100 sq ft to store old servers and laptops—that’s $2,500 per year doing nothing.
- Depreciation and Lost Resale Value
IT equipment loses value quickly. The longer you wait to sell or repurpose it, the less it’s worth.
In many cases, used hardware still has resale value on the secondary market—but only if it’s in decent condition and relatively current. Holding on to gear for “just in case” often turns potential cash into e-waste.
Don’t miss your resale window. Sell your gear before the market value hits zero.
- Security and Compliance Risks
Every unused hard drive or server sitting on a shelf is a potential data breach waiting to happen.
If the equipment was once used to store customer records, proprietary business info, or financial data, it needs to be handled with care—even if it’s turned off.
Regulations like HIPAA, PCI-DSS, and GDPR still apply. If that device gets lost, stolen, or improperly discarded, you could be liable.
For secure disposal, IITS provides certified data destruction with full audit trails and Certificates of Destruction.
- IT Management Headaches
Storing and tracking old tech creates unnecessary inventory bloat. Your IT team may spend time managing outdated assets instead of focusing on strategic projects.
Out-of-warranty devices also increase support costs and downtime when they’re accidentally put back into use.
Why Selling Makes Sense
Instead of paying for storage and taking on unnecessary risk, selling used IT equipment is often the smarter move.
A good IT asset disposition partner (like IITS) can help:
- Evaluate and audit your inventory
- Wipe or destroy sensitive data
- Resell viable gear and share proceeds with you
- Recycle non-sellable items in an environmentally responsible way
This is what we call Asset Recovery—getting value back from your existing assets.
How Much Can You Get for Used IT Equipment?
Resale value depends on the age, condition, and model of your gear, but even older devices can have market value—especially:
- Business-grade laptops and desktops
- Networking gear (switches, routers)
- Enterprise storage devices
- Servers and server components
- Apple devices and peripherals
If you’re unsure what your gear is worth, IITS can provide a free valuation. Just fill out our Sell Your Gear form to get started.
Final Thoughts: Stop Sitting on Tech Clutter
Let’s face it—most of that old gear isn’t coming back into rotation. And the longer it collects dust, the more it costs your business.
By working with a trusted ITAD provider like IITS, you can turn your unused equipment into value while protecting your data and the environment.
✅ Free up space
✅ Protect sensitive info
✅ Get paid for tech you no longer need
Ready to cash in on your unused IT gear? Sell your equipment today.
