IT Asset Disposition and Data Centre Lifecycle - Q3/Q4 2025 Industry Round-Up

The second half of 2025 has seen flagship industry events shine a spotlight on sustainable IT asset management and global data center growth.

At ITAD Summit 2025 (29–30 July, Las Vegas), over 1,500 professionals and more than 130 exhibitors gathered at what has become the premier conference for IT Asset Disposition (ITAD), reverse logistics, and returns management. The bustling expo floor underscored a booming secondary market for used IT equipment - attendees reported intense buyer interest in high-quality refurbished hardware, affirming that demand for decommissioned assets 'isn’t slowing down anytime soon'.

Educational sessions delivered by more than 40 industry experts explored data security, sustainability, and market dynamics, culminating in the ITAD Industry Awards, which recognised excellence in secure and compliant asset disposition. The event's opening keynote, 'The Ten Commandments of ITAD', struck a chord by emphasising customer-centric service, partnership, and raising industry standards. These themes echoed throughout the summit, reinforcing a community-wide commitment to build a sustainable, collaborative future for IT assets.

Across the globe, Data Centre World Asia 2025 (8–9 October, Singapore) highlighted parallel priorities in the data center hardware lifecycle. If one message defined the conference, it was the 'need for clarity in complexity' amid explosive digital infrastructure growth. Power availability, AI acceleration, and sustainability targets dominated every discussion.

Industry leaders stressed that data centers must balance rapid expansion with long-term environmental responsibility. Panel experts urged proactive investment in green practices and technologies, noting that when environmental and business sustainability work in harmony, they 'can drive value creation and deliver a lasting competitive edge'. Data center operators across the Asia-Pacific region are aligning operational resilience with climate goals. This trend was underscored by market insights showing South-East Asia's data center capacity shifting, for example, Thailand's emergence as a new regional hub, propelled by policy decisions and sustainability imperatives.

International E-Waste Day 2025 (14 October) also punctuated the autumn with a global call to action on electronics recycling. Industry leaders used the occasion to promote circular solutions. For instance, Blancco’s Fredrik Forslund noted that committing to the reuse and resale of retired IT assets can recoup significant value for businesses while reducing e-waste generation. 'Sustainable choices reduce overall tech spend and may even fund upgrades to the latest AI-capable hardware, decreasing e-waste in the process,' Forslund explained.

Manda's Perspective

These event takeaways underscore how sustainability and asset value recovery have moved to the forefront of IT strategy. As seen at ITAD Summit and Data Centre World Asia, companies worldwide are actively seeking ways to extend hardware lifecycles, maximise residual value, and reduce environmental impact.

This aligns strongly with Manda's mission of sustainable IT asset management. For clients and partners, the message is clear: whether decommissioning a data center or refreshing employee devices, the industry now views retired IT assets as opportunities.

By embracing best practices, from secure data wiping to refurbishment and resale programmes, organisations can protect themselves (and the planet) while unlocking value. In short, sustainability in ITAD is no longer just good ethics or compliance; it is good business, creating competitive advantage through cost savings and reputation.