IT contractors will find the ethical disposal of old computers and hardware become common practice in the future due to regulation and the trend towards a more sustainable lifestyle, according to one service.

Ethical IT, which provides a service reusing and recycling old equipment, said most companies have a corporate social responsibility (CSR) policy which they are audited on, which encourages them to find ways of enhancing their green credentials.

The company's marketing director Andrew Boddington said at the 360 Degree IT event that the money saved from reusing machines can go towards enhancing these policies further.

"Medium to large-size companies in particular have an officer responsible for CSR and so on … and often the IT department is seen as a problem rather than a benefit to CSR," he commented.

According to research from Johnson Controls Global WorkPlace Solutions, 96 per cent of people desire an environmentally-friendly workplace.