Meeting FERPA and ESG Goals While Recovering Value
As technology continues to shape the classroom experience, schools are managing more data and more devices than ever before. But with that comes a growing responsibility.
Educational institutions must comply with federal privacy laws like FERPA, meet rising environmental, social, and governance (ESG) expectations, and do it all while facing tight budgets and shrinking funding.
According to CNBC, public school enrollment—and therefore funding—has fallen nationally since 2020, forcing many schools to cut budgets and find creative ways to stretch resources (CNBC, 2025).
For many institutions, an often-overlooked opportunity lies in how they manage their end-of-life technology. Through certified IT Asset Disposition (ITAD) practices, schools can securely handle sensitive data, align with sustainability goals, and potentially recover value from retired equipment, while reducing operational risk and environmental impact.
What Does FERPA Require from Schools?
The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) is a federal law that protects the privacy of student education records. According to the U.S. Department of Education, FERPA requires that schools safeguard personally identifiable information and ensure that records are destroyed in a way that prevents unauthorized access or disclosure (Student Privacy, U.S. Department of Education).
This responsibility extends beyond digital records. Any device that stores data, including laptops, servers, tablets, and hard drives, must be securely sanitized or destroyed once it’s no longer needed.
Simply deleting files or reimaging devices isn’t enough. Without proper data destruction, sensitive student and staff information can still be recovered. This poses significant compliance risks.
Why Secure Data Destruction Matters
Proper data destruction is a legal and ethical requirement. FERPA compliance demands that schools follow recognized standards, such as NIST 800-88, for secure data sanitization.
Certified ITAD providers ensure that all data-bearing devices are handled with precision and accountability. Their processes typically include:
- Certified wiping or degaussing to permanently remove data from drives.
- Physical destruction for devices that can’t be reused.
- Detailed audit trails and Certificates of Destruction, proving compliance and traceability.
- Chain-of-custody tracking from pickup to final processing to prevent mishandling or data leaks.
Attempting to perform this process internally or hiring an unverified company can expose schools to data breaches, compliance violations, and environmental risks. Partnering with a reputable, certified ITAD provider ensures both FERPA adherence and institutional protection.
Supporting ESG and Sustainability Goals
Beyond compliance, schools are increasingly being called upon to model sustainability in their operations and curriculum. According to EdSpaces, sustainable schools are “a reflection of their community’s values,” prioritizing energy efficiency, waste reduction, and environmentally responsible practices (EdSpaces, 2024).
E-waste is one of the fastest-growing waste streams globally. Without proper handling, it can release harmful materials like lead and mercury into the environment.
By incorporating ITAD services into their sustainability strategy, schools can:
- Reduce landfill waste through responsible recycling and reuse.
- Support ESG goals by documenting and reporting waste diversion metrics.
- Demonstrate environmental leadership to students, parents, and the community.
- Promote a circular economy, where technology is refurbished, repurposed, and kept in use longer.
This not only protects the planet but also reinforces the school’s reputation as a forward-thinking, socially responsible institution.
Value Recovery: Making Sustainability Affordable
One of the biggest challenges schools face is balancing compliance and sustainability with limited budgets. The good news? Many retired devices still hold resale value.
Through a process called value recovery, ITAD providers can evaluate, refurbish, and resell decommissioned equipment, returning a portion of the proceeds to the school. This model can help offset IT disposal costs, fund future technology investments, or even support student programs.
In many cases, schools are surprised to learn how much value still exists in their old IT assets—turning what might otherwise be waste into a revenue-generating opportunity.
Building a Stronger Future for Education
Schools today face a complex challenge: maintaining compliance, supporting sustainability, and managing costs, all while protecting the privacy and trust of their students and staff.
Certified ITAD services offer a practical solution of combining secure data destruction, environmental responsibility, and financial return. By partnering with a trusted provider, schools can meet FERPA and ESG goals without straining their resources.
How ITAD USA Supports Schools
ITAD USA partners with educational institutions nationwide to securely and responsibly manage end-of-life IT equipment. Our process aligns with NIST 800-88 and R2v3 standards to ensure complete data sanitization and environmentally compliant recycling.
We provide:
- Certified data destruction and compliance documentation
- Secure logistics coordination with full chain-of-custody
- Sustainable recycling and disposal practices
- Value recovery through revenue share programs
With ITAD USA, schools can protect student data, meet sustainability goals, and recover value, without the high costs and potential risks of managing IT disposal internally.
Your retired technology could still hold hidden value.
Contact ITAD USA today for a free evaluation and discover how we can help your school secure data, reduce e-waste, and recover value from your decommissioned assets.