Vorbereitung zur Wiederverwendung

A retired notebook can be waste – and still become a fully fledged work device again. Waste law calls the path there "preparation for reuse". The term sounds clunky, but in the waste hierarchy it ranks directly after prevention and before recycling.

What does preparation for reuse mean?

The Circular Economy Act (KrWG) distinguishes between two similar terms. What matters is whether an item is already waste.

Term	Reference	Status of the device	Example
reuse	§ 3 (21) KrWG	not waste	A notebook goes directly to a new user
Preparation for reuse	§ 3 (24) KrWG	already waste	A notebook handed in as an old device is checked, repaired and made usable again
Recycling	§ 3 (25) KrWG	Waste	The device is broken down into materials such as metals and plastics

When a device becomes waste depends on the owner's will and conduct (§ 3 (1) KrWG). Anyone who hands over devices for sale or transfer usually does not discard them. Anyone who hands them over for disposal does. This distinction must be clarified legally in individual cases; this entry does not replace legal advice.

Position in the waste hierarchy

§ 6 KrWG sets out a hierarchy: prevention, preparation for reuse, recycling, other recovery and disposal. In principle, the measure that best protects people and the environment takes precedence. More on this in the entry Waste hierarchy.

For waste electrical equipment, the ElektroG makes the precedence concrete: under § 20 (1) ElektroG, before initial treatment it must be checked whether the old device or individual components can be put through preparation for reuse, insofar as this is technically possible and economically reasonable. This treatment takes place at an first treatment facility .

What this means for IT hardware

With IT devices, there is an additional step that other electrical appliances do not need: before a notebook, smartphone or server may be reused, all data must be verifiably erased. Typical steps are:

1. Visual inspection and function test
2. certified data erasure with proof for each serial number
3. Cleaning, repair and replacement of defective parts
4. Final inspection and grading of condition

The result is a device that goes back to the market as refurbished . How certified waste management companies proceed is described in our guide Certified waste management company: What the certificate means.

Preparation for reuse at Second IT

Second IT is a certified waste management company under § 56 KrWG and relies on reuse before recycling. Devices are erased with Blancco, tested, repaired and refurbished, and then remarketed through the online shop and store. What can no longer be refurbished is dismantled, spare parts are obtained and the rest is properly recovered. For your CSR and ESG reporting, you receive recycling and disposal documentation. More on IT disposal under the German Circular Economy Act.

Frequently asked questions about preparation for reuse

What is the difference between reuse and preparation for reuse?

With reuse, a device continues to be used before it becomes waste. With preparation for reuse, it is already waste and is made usable again through checking, cleaning or repair. After that, its waste status ends.

Must it be checked before recycling whether a device is still usable?

For waste electrical equipment, yes: § 20 (1) ElektroG requires a check before initial treatment as to whether the device or components can be prepared for reuse, insofar as technically possible and economically reasonable.

May devices containing company data be reused at all?

Yes, if all data was verifiably erased beforehand. An erasure certificate per serial number proves this. Data carriers that cannot be erased are destroyed; the rest of the device can still be refurbished.

What is the difference between preparation for reuse and recycling?

With preparation for reuse, the whole device is checked, repaired and made usable again for its original purpose. With recycling, it is broken down into materials such as metals and plastics. Preparation ranks ahead of it in the waste hierarchy.

Which steps are part of preparation for reuse for IT devices?

Typical are visual inspection and function test, certified data erasure with proof per serial number, cleaning and repair, and a final inspection with grading of condition. After that, the device can go back to the market as refurbished.