Overview of Firstbase ITAD Services

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What is ITAD?

IT Asset Disposition (ITAD) is how Firstbase helps you securely retire hardware, including:

• Reverse logistics (returning devices)
• Secure data erasure and/or physical destruction (NIST 800-88 compliant)
• E-waste recycling
• Repurposing for credit (via ITAD Credits)

What’s included with every ITAD service?

1. Secure Data Destruction (NIST 800-88 compliant)
Devices are processed using NIST 800-88 compliant methods. By default, Firstbase uses the Clear method (secure overwriting).

Customers may request an alternative method:

• Purge (enhanced sanitization)

• Physical Destruction (HDD shredding)

To change your default method, contact your Customer Success Manager. Once configured, your selected method will apply to all future ITAD requests globally. 

Devices processed via physical destruction are not eligible for repurposing or ITAD Credits. 

2. Certificate of Destruction (COD)
A COD is uploaded to the Firstbase platform for every processed asset. The COD reflects the method used (Clear, Purge, or Physical Destruction).

3. Responsible Recycling
Devices that cannot be resold are recycled in accordance with industry best practices and local e-waste regulations.

4. Repurposing & ITAD Credits
For customers opted into our credits program, eligible devices are resold and a portion of proceeds is returned as a credit that can be applied to future Firstbase invoices. 

Where are ITAD services available?

Recycling and CODs are available in all countries where Firstbase operates a local warehouse. View our full capabilities by region here.

ITAD Credits are offered globally. Devices in the US, UK, EU, and Canada typically yield positive credit value. In other regions, higher logistics costs and lower resale values generally result in no credits being issued.

Regardless of resale outcome, Firstbase does not charge ITAD processing fees in any region, except where noted below (e.g. physical destruction).

How do I submit an ITAD request?

There are a few different ways to initiate ITAD services, depending on where your devices are located:

1. Returning a device?

You can mark it for ITAD as part of a Returns, Replacement, or Offboarding workflow. Just toggle for “Recycle” when prompted. 

👉 See how to do it →

2. Device already in a Firstbase warehouse?

From the ITAD Center, you can survey your aging in-stock devices, create filters, and multi-select to create ITAD requests in bulk across regions in just a few clicks. Alternatively, you can create ITAD Requests for individual in-stock items from the All Assets page. 

👉 How to submit ITAD requests from ITAD Center →

👉 How to submit ITAD requets from the Assets page →

3. Locked or damaged device?

If our warehouse team discovers that a device is locked or damaged during grading and diagnostics, we’ll reach out with next steps. If you’d prefer to recycle instead of repair or unlock it, just reply to our support team to let us know—we’ll mark it for destruction in the platform and handle it from there. 

👉 More on repairs →

👉 More on locked devices →

4. Sending from an office?

If you want to ship devices directly from an office, please email support@firstbase.com. We’ll arrange a pickup back to one of our global facilities. Depending on the region and zip code, we may be able to support an office pickup for bulk shipments. In other cases, we may require a shipment notice in advance—or, for smaller volumes, we can send laptop boxes and arrange standard returns via small parcel courier. Please reach out with the details of your request so we can confirm the requirements for your specific location and use case.

How do I track the progress of my ITAD request?

You can track the status of each request in ITAD Center. Your request will move through the following statuses:

• Pending Data Destruction - Request has been submitted and is queued for data destruction processing
• Requires Action - One or more assets are still enrolled in a remote management system (MDM). You must unenroll them before processing can continue
• Awaiting Recheck - Assets have been marked as unenrolled and are being verified by our team
• Pending Settlement - Data destruction is complete. Assets are being evaluated and settlement report is being prepared
• Completed - All processing is complete. Documents are available for download
• Cancelled - Request was cancelled before processing completed

What equipment is eligible?

Computers, phones, tablets, and external hard drives come with a COD. They are also eligible for credits if you’re opted into the program. Devices processed via physical destruction are not eligible for repurposing or ITAD Credits. 

Other equipment—like monitors and accessories—is responsibly recycled but doesn’t qualify for credits or CODs. For monitors, we upload a certificate of e-waste instead, where available. 

What fees am I charged?

For customers enrolled in our ITAD Credits program, we no longer charge ITAD processing fees. Instead, handling costs are deducted from the final credit payout—with two exceptions:

1. Remote Management Enrollment: If a device is enrolled in Remote Management Software, it must be unenrolled before it can be repurposed or resold. We will reach out to request unenrollment. If we do not receive confirmation within 30 days, the device may be processed via physical destruction and a $40 processing fee will apply. This fee is not eligible for action discount rates but may be deducted from your committed actions balance, if available.
2. Physical Destruction (HDD Shredding): If you opt for physical destruction, a $40 per device fee (list rate) applies. This fee is subject to your contracted action discount rate, if applicable. Devices processed via physical destruction are not eligible for repurposing or ITAD Credits.

How long does the process take?

CODs are typically provided within 60–90 days from the date of request. Processing timelines may vary depending on the selected destruction method (e.g. physical destruction vs data erasure). 

You can view our Service Level Objectives by region here.

If your device is eligible for repurposing, it can take up to an additional 90 days to be sold on secondary markets, and for credits to be issued. 

Can I use my own third party ITAD service?

Yes, you’re welcome to use your own ITAD vendor if preferred. Just email support@firstbase.com with a csv listing the equipment and serial numbers. Include the delivery address, POC and any shipping instructions so we can coordinate with your provider. 

👉 Note: Our bulk order terms apply, including standard shipping and handling rates. If your ITAD vendor is handling the pickup/shipment, only the handling fee will apply. These charges can be deducted from your committed actions balance, if available. No fees apply when using Firstbase-managed ITAD services. 

Once we receive your request, we’ll update the asset status in the platform to "Awaiting Information", making them unavailable for new order fulfillment. When the assets leave our facility, we’ll archive them as "Decommissioned by Employer."

Please don’t use the platform’s self-service recycling features for third party requests—those are intended only for Firstbase-managed ITAD requests. Your equipment will be recycled through our service by default when requests are initiated in the platform.

Do you erase the data on site before sending devices to your ITAD partners?

In most cases, devices are processed onsite using the configured NIST 800-88 method (Clear by default). In some cases, devices are sent directly to a partner facility for processing.

These are the cases where a device may ship to an ITAD partner facility without having been first wiped onsite in a Firstbase facility:

1. ITAD Returns – Outside of the US, if you choose to recycle a device during the return process (pre-arrival to one of our facilities), it bypasses the standard intake process and is shipped to our ITAD partner soon after arrival to our facilities. (In the US, we’ll still run the NIST wipe on site prior to internal resale, or shipment to a partner facility, if the device is accessible.)

2. Office-originated ITAD shipments – Outside of the US, if you ship us equipment directly from your office for ITAD, we forward it to the ITAD partner as-is. 

3. Devices that can't power on or are inaccessible – These can’t be wiped internally and are sent straight to our ITAD partner for secure destruction.

4. The selected method is Purge or Physical Destruction, which may require processing at a partner facility. 

How does Firstbase’s ITAD service support sustainability and environmental impact goals?

A strong ITAD program is one of the most effective ways companies can reduce their environmental footprint. At Firstbase, our process prioritizes reuse over disposal—securely refurbishing and repurposing devices when possible to extend their lifecycle. When reuse isn’t an option, we ensure responsible recycling through certified downstream partners.

We only work with best-in-class ITAD providers that meet strict environmental and security standards. All partners operate certified facilities and follow globally accepted e-waste regulations and sustainability practices.

While we don’t currently provide built-in sustainability reporting and dashboards, we’re actively gathering feedback to inform future improvements in this area. If your team tracks specific metrics (e.g. landfill diversion, emissions avoided, material recovery), we’re happy to explore what we can accommodate today and keep your input in mind as we shape future enhancements.