The life cycle of electronic devices is shrinking, leading to a growing mountain of e-waste. Computer recycling and the recycling of other electronics not only reduces the environmental impact but also provides a cheaper alternative for other businesses looking to upgrade their electronics.

Data Security

With every business giving up their electronics to be recycled, there is always a risk that the sensitive data stored in the device could be used against your business or customers. This could be from either the recycling provider or after the product is sold should the data not be wiped properly.

There are certain steps of precaution you can take to ensure that your recycling provider is trustworthy in completing the deletion of your data.

Data Erasure

Certified technicians use specialised software to securely erase all data from storage devices, including hard drives and SSDs. This process ensures that data is irretrievable by conventional means.

Data Destruction

For devices that can’t be securely erased or that require extra security, physical destruction methods are employed. This can include shredding hard drives or SSDs into tiny fragments, rendering data recovery impossible.

Certificate of Data Destruction

After data deletion or destruction, your computer recycling provider will produce a certificate of data destruction to the customer. This document verifies that the data has been handled securely and in compliance with data protection regulations.

Computer Recycling and Reselling

Once the data on the device has been securely destroyed, the recycling process can then begin. This phase focuses on minimising the environmental impact of the device. If a device is in good working condition after having its data securely deleted, it can find its second life through refurbishment and resale.

Refurbishment

Recyclers with refurbishing capabilities may repair and upgrade computers, ensuring they meet industry standards and are ready for reuse.

Marketplace for Refurbished Electronics

Refurbished computers and electronics can find their way to various markets, including consumers, educational institutions, and small businesses.

Sustainable Consumption

Purchasing refurbished electronics promotes sustainable consumption by extending the life of these devices and reducing the need for new manufacturing.

In conclusion, looking to recycle your technology is an environmentally friendly way to dispose of your old computers and electronics. You need to pay close attention to your recycling provider to ensure that all sensitive data on your device is deleted properly and securely. These refurbished computers can then be resold, if still usable, to other businesses, schools or consumers looking for cheaper tech alternatives and extending the life of the device by a significant amount. Lowering its overall environmental impact.

Contact Novo IT today to recycle your computer the right way.