Best Data Center Decommissioning Companies: Not All Partners Are Created Equal

Last Updated on October 17, 2025 by Ewen Finser

Why Choosing the Right Decommissioning Partner Matters

For IT directors and operations managers, few projects are as high-stakes or as misunderstood as data center decommissioning. Between hardware disposal, data security, and environmental compliance, it’s easy to underestimate just how much is on the line.

The reality is that not all decommissioning partners are created equal. Some specialize in global compliance and security, others in sustainability or resale value recovery — but few excel in every category. Choosing the right one means balancing priorities across cost, compliance, and corporate responsibility.

If you need a foundational overview of the process, our Data Center Decommissioning Guide covers the fundamentals — from asset tracking to disposal workflows.
This article builds on that foundation, offering an editorial perspective on which providers are setting the standard for 2025 and what each one does best.

How We Evaluated These Companies

Our recommendations are based on industry research, firsthand experience, and publicly available certifications. We prioritized providers that meet enterprise-level criteria in four key areas:

1. Security and compliance: adherence to R2v3, e-Stewards, and NAID AAA certifications.
2. Data destruction methods: on-site and off-site services with verified audit trails.
3. Value recovery: ability to refurbish and remarket enterprise hardware.
4. Sustainability and scale: responsible recycling, ESG initiatives, and geographic reach.

The goal isn’t to crown a single “winner,” but to highlight which data center decommissioning companies deliver exceptional results for specific needs.

Comparison Snapshot: Matching Vendors to Your Priorities

Vendor	Best For	Global Scale	Sustainability Focus	Value Recovery	Compliance Strength
Alta Technologies	ROI on hardware resale	Medium	★★★★★	★★★★☆	★★★☆☆
Iron Mountain	Security & compliance	High	★★★☆☆	★★☆☆☆	★★★★★
Liquid Technology	Eco-friendly ITAD	Medium	★★★★★	★★★☆☆	★★★★☆
TES	Global decommissions	High	★★★★☆	★★★☆☆	★★★★☆
SLS	Hyperscale/sustainability	High	★★★★★	★★★★☆	★★★★☆
Apto	Transparency & dashboards	Medium	★★★☆☆	★★★★☆	★★★★☆
Exit Technologies	Speed & liquidity	Medium	★★☆☆☆	★★★★★	★★☆☆☆
Dynamic	Regulated industries	Medium	★★★☆☆	★★★☆☆	★★★★★

1. Alta Technologies | Best for Value Recovery and Hardware Remarketing

When decommissioning hardware, it’s not just about secure disposal — it’s also about extracting every bit of value from your IT assets. That’s where Alta Technologies shines.

With more than 25 years in the enterprise hardware space, Alta specializes in IT asset recovery, secure data destruction, and hardware remarketing. Their ITAD team helps organizations decommission servers, storage, and networking gear while maximizing ROI through refurbishing and resale.

What sets Alta apart is their balance between compliance and commerce. They operate with industry-recognized security practices — including serialized asset tracking and certified data destruction — but also maintain one of the largest secondary-market networks for refurbished enterprise gear.

For IT leaders tasked with meeting sustainability goals and recovering capital, Alta offers a pragmatic middle ground between liquidation and landfill.

• Reference: altatechnologies.com
• Consideration: While Alta’s operations are primarily U.S.-based, their global logistics partners can support multi-site projects.

2. Iron Mountain | Best for Enterprise Security and Compliance

Iron Mountain is a household name in information management — and for good reason. Their Secure IT Asset Disposition (SITAD) service sets the gold standard for chain-of-custody documentation, on-site shredding, and auditable compliance.

Their global reach and reputation make them a go-to partner for organizations with stringent data protection requirements such as HIPAA, GDPR, or SOC 2. Each project includes serialized reporting, GPS-tracked logistics, and certified destruction documentation, giving enterprise clients total peace of mind.

If your top priority is minimizing data risk during decommissioning, Iron Mountain remains one of the most trusted names in the business.

• Reference: ironmountain.com
• Consideration: Pricing and engagement minimums may be higher than smaller-scale ITAD providers.

3. Liquid Technology | Best for Sustainable & Transparent Decommissioning

For organizations looking to align ITAD with ESG goals, Liquid Technology offers one of the most transparent and eco-friendly decommissioning programs available.

The company’s zero-landfill policy and EPA-registered recycling facilities ensure all equipment is processed responsibly. They also provide serialized audit trails, photographic evidence, and detailed environmental impact reports — an invaluable asset for enterprises that need to validate sustainability performance.

Liquid Technology’s on-site data destruction trucks add another layer of trust for clients that can’t risk data leaving the premises.

If sustainability, transparency, and compliance reporting are your top priorities, Liquid Technology deserves a place on your shortlist.

• Reference: liquidtechnology.net
• Consideration: While comprehensive, their operations are primarily focused on the U.S. and Canada.

4. TES (TES-AMM) | Best for Multinational Data Center Decommissioning

Few companies can match TES in global reach. Operating in more than 20 countries, TES offers full lifecycle management — from deployment and maintenance to decommissioning and recycling.

Their integrated compliance framework ensures consistent standards across all locations, making them ideal for multinational corporations or enterprises consolidating global data centers. TES also invests heavily in advanced recycling technologies, including lithium battery recovery, which future-proofs them for hybrid infrastructure and edge computing environments.

For IT directors managing decommissions across multiple regions, TES delivers both operational consistency and verified compliance.

• Reference: tes-amm.com
• Consideration: TES primarily targets enterprise and hyperscale clients; smaller businesses may find engagement thresholds high.

5. Sims Lifecycle Services (SLS) | Best for Hyperscale and Sustainability-Driven Projects

As one of the largest players in global ITAD, Sims Lifecycle Services (SLS) supports cloud hyperscalers, major OEMs, and Fortune 100 enterprises. Their operations emphasize circular economy principles — reusing, remarketing, and recycling assets to minimize environmental waste.

SLS provides complete decommissioning logistics, including secure transport, certified destruction, and resale. They also maintain detailed sustainability reporting aligned with ISO 14001 standards, which is especially valuable for public companies subject to ESG disclosure requirements.

If your organization manages thousands of racks or operates hyperscale facilities, SLS brings unmatched experience and infrastructure scale.

Reference: simslifecycle.com
Consideration: Their services are tailored for large enterprises; smaller operators may find simpler solutions more cost-effective.

6. Apto Solutions | Best for Transparency and Real-Time Reporting

Apto Solutions stands out for its focus on visibility and accountability. Their proprietary dashboards give clients real-time chain-of-custody tracking, serialized asset reporting, and proof-of-destruction logs — all accessible through a web portal.

Apto’s customer-centric model and responsiveness make them especially appealing to mid-market and regional enterprises that value direct communication and customizable workflows.

For IT teams that prioritize auditability and stakeholder reporting, Apto offers a clear, streamlined way to track every asset from rack to recycler.

• Reference: aptosolutions.com
• Consideration: Their footprint is strongest in North America, though partnerships extend their reach internationally.

7. Exit Technologies | Best for Speed and Asset Liquidation

When speed matters, Exit Technologies offers a fast, no-nonsense approach to IT asset disposition. They buy, refurbish, and remarket enterprise IT hardware directly, minimizing lag between decommissioning and capital recovery.

Exit’s logistics-driven model appeals to organizations needing to vacate facilities quickly or recover value before equipment depreciation sets in. Their direct buyback programs simplify the process — a strong advantage for IT managers balancing project timelines and financial targets.

• Reference: exittechnologies.com
• Consideration: While fast and efficient, they’re less focused on sustainability certifications than peers like SLS or Liquid Technology.

8. Dynamic Lifecycle Innovations | Best for Regulated Industries

For organizations in finance, healthcare, or government, Dynamic Lifecycle Innovations provides the kind of rigorous compliance documentation that regulators expect.

They maintain R2v3 and e-Stewards certifications and provide full audit trails of every asset processed. Their process transparency and emphasis on documentation make them a strong choice for industries under strict data governance mandates.

• Reference: thinkdynamic.com
• Consideration: Primarily U.S.-based with limited remarketing services compared to Alta or Exit Technologies.

How to Choose the Right Decommissioning Partner?

The best data center decommissioning company for your business depends on your goals and constraints. Ask yourself:

• Is compliance or value recovery your top priority?
• Do you need a partner with global reach, or will regional support suffice?
• How heavily does sustainability factor into your organization’s reporting or ESG commitments?
• Are you looking for a long-term partner or a one-time project solution?

Every organization has different thresholds for risk, speed, and sustainability. The key is finding a provider whose strengths align with your most critical objectives — not the biggest brand name or the cheapest quote.

KEY TAKEAWAY: Not All Partners Are Created Equal

Decommissioning is more than taking equipment offline; it’s about protecting your data, recovering your investment, and meeting your environmental commitments.

Whether you need Alta’s balance of ROI and reliability, Iron Mountain’s enterprise-grade security, or SLS’s hyperscale sustainability expertise, the right partner can turn a complex teardown into a seamless, compliant transition.

Choosing wisely means future-proofing your infrastructure and your reputation.

Which providers have delivered the best decommissioning experience for your organization? Share your insights — we’re always learning from peers in the field!