Eaton RS Rack 42U: server rack recycling
Reviewed by the eCycling Central editorial team on April 2026
The Eaton RS Rack 42U is a 42U rack weighing 130 kg - one of the largest single-piece items in any data centre decommissioning. This guide covers refurbishment, scrap recovery, and disposal logistics.
Refurbishment market
Often paired with Eaton 9PX UPS. Refurb market $200-550.
Server racks have one of the strongest refurb markets in IT hardware - the steel construction makes them durable and second-hand units are widely traded through:
- Local-market data-centre infrastructure resellers
- eBay (search "42U server rack" - typical $200-600 used)
- Direct exchange between organisations decommissioning vs commissioning
Scrap recovery breakdown
If refurbishment is not viable (damaged, customised, or no buyer), scrap value: $78-170 USD.
Material breakdown: 108 kg steel, 8 kg aluminium, 3 kg copper, 1 kg PDU electronics.
LME spot pricing context:
- Steel: ~$0.40/kg
- Aluminium: ~$2.40/kg
- Copper: ~$9.50/kg
Total recovery is steel-dominant by weight but copper-dominant by value.
Disposal logistics
The 130 kg weight requires:
- Forklift or pallet jack for movement
- Two-person team for stair / elevator transport
- Box truck or van for transport (won't fit in a typical car)
ITAD vendors handling racks at scale:
- Iron Mountain
- Restore Datashred
- Atlantix
- Sims Recycling Solutions
- ERI Direct
Typical pickup cost: $80-250 per rack including transport.
Sources
- Eaton product specifications
- LME spot prices for steel, aluminium, copper
- Data centre decommissioning industry standard practices (Uptime Institute)