Many data centers are accelerating refresh cycles, regulators are tightening reporting and reuse rules, and boards are asking for verifiable sustainability outcomes. For hyperscale, regional, and local data center operators, the result is clear: IT asset disposition (ITAD) has moved from facilities-based task to strategic function. Below are seven developments shaping the ITAD landscape now, compared to last year, along with practical actions you can take to prepare for the IT landscape in 2026. SK tes has positioned its global operational network and multi-national decommissioning programs to be the partner of choice for complex IT refreshes, data center exits, and returns programs. 7 Trends for ITAD and Data Center Decommissioning in 2026 1. AI adoption is compressing data center refresh cycles 2. Reuse-first strategies gain regulatory tailwinds 3. ESG reporting is no longer optional for some companies – and neither is the broader sustainability disclosure CSRD demands 4. Security by design and zero-trust programs 5. Battery circularity is accelerating alongside data center growth 6. Media sanitization standards continue to tighten 7. Net zero commitments push carbon-accountable ITAD

As enterprises’ IT infrastructure needs continually evolve, responsibly managing end-of-life electronic equipment becomes both a business mandate and a critical aspect of corporate environmental responsibility. Simultaneously, governments, internal stakeholders and business vendors and partners increasingly demand that enterprises adhere to ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) commitments. That means it is imperative that enterprises select IT asset disposition (ITAD) partners that can deliver services at facilities certified to meet the R2v3 standard for electronics recycling and reuse.

October marks Cybersecurity Awareness Month, and while many organizations focus on firewalls, phishing prevention, and endpoint protection, one critical area is often overlooked - the secure retirement of IT equipment. SK Tes urges businesses to think about what happens to their devices when technology is refreshed or employees leave the business and treat end-of-life hardware as a serious cybersecurity and compliance risk.