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Advisory Note: Tariffs, Supply Security, and Enterprise Caution Set the Operating Context for ITAD and Secondary Materials Recovery in 2026

Recent policy signals from the U.S. administration indicate a period of heightened tension, driven by trade uncertainty, industrial policy intervention, and geopolitical leverage affecting technology, materials, and cross-border supply chains. This posture has become more explicit following the suspension of U.S.–EU trade engagement by European lawmakers in January 2026, amid disputes linked to tariffs, strategic […] Continue reading below.
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Recent policy signals from the U.S. administration indicate a period of heightened tension, driven by trade uncertainty, industrial policy intervention, and geopolitical leverage affecting technology, materials, and cross-border supply chains. This posture has become more explicit following the suspension of U.S.–EU trade engagement by European lawmakers in January 2026, amid disputes linked to tariffs, strategic resources, and U.S. positions on Greenland.  While no sector-specific actions have been directed at IT asset disposition (ITAD) or electronics recycling, several developments warrant attention from our clients due to their indirect but material relevance.

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Author: David Daoud | Principal Analyst

David Daoud has researched the mainstream IT hardware market since 1996 and expanded into hardware disposition research in 2003. He has spearheaded the creation of IDC’s GRADE certification. Since then, David has been providing consulting and expert advice to companies looking to establish best practice in their IT equipment decommissioning and helped leading ITAD service providers assess demand, understand competition, and forecast what’s to come. David is currently the Principal Analyst at Compliance Standards, which focuses entirely on the end-of-life of IT equipment. He can be reached at 754-229-0095 or at ddaoud@compliance-standards.com

MORE ANALYSES:

Takeways: Mitsubishi Materials investment in Elemental’s US e-scrap platform

Jan 8, 2026

Recent announcements indicate that Mitsubishi Materials has agreed to acquire a significant minority stake in Elemental Group’s US e-waste platform, which operates through Colt Recycling. The transaction reflects a broader trend in which large metals and materials groups are seeking closer integration with upstream electronics recycling and pre-processing operations as part of their circular-economy strategies. A more detailed assessment of the strategic implications, execution risks, and what this transaction signals for the evolving relationship between IT asset disposition and metals recovery is available to subscribers.

Part 1: 2025 in Retrospect: Redefined ‘Serious’ ITAD

Jan 7, 2026

2025 marked a transition point for IT Asset Disposition and electronics recycling. Multiple forces that had been building over several years converged within a single operating cycle, changing not only volumes and asset flows, but the fundamental expectations placed on ITAD providers.

Compliance: What Recent BAN and EPA Actions Reveal About Systemic Compliance Weaknesses

Nov 19, 2025

Recent findings from BAN and an EPA settlement with Apple reveal parallel weaknesses in downstream e-waste controls and upstream hazardous waste management. The analysis shows that compliance gaps are emerging across multiple points of the electronics lifecycle, indicating the need for stronger governance and verifiable operational systems.

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