How to Destroy a Computer Hard Drive

Whether you’re a business owner safeguarding proprietary data or an individual concerned about personal privacy, securely disposing of old hard drives is essential. Simply deleting files or formatting a drive doesn’t guarantee the data is irretrievable. Blancco IT did a study with 159 hard drives bought off eBay. 66 of them still had some type of data on them and 25 of these had PII.  Therefore, proper hard drive destruction is necessary to ensure that your information remains inaccessible to unauthorized individuals. In this guide, we’ll explore effective methods for destroying a computer hard drive, providing you with peace of mind and safeguarding your valuable data. How to Destroy a Computer Hard Drive the Right Way 1. Physical Destruction: Physical […]


How to Recycle a Tablet

More than 1.28 billion people use tablets in the world today. With the rise of these devices came a decrease in their lifespan. The average lifespan dropped from 7 to 5 years, leaving hundreds of thousands to be disposed of each year. But what happens when it’s time to bid farewell to our trusty tablets? Recycling tablets is crucial for reducing electronic waste and preserving our environment. In this guide, we’ll walk you through the steps to recycle your tablet responsibly, ensuring it’s properly disposed of and its components are repurposed or recycled efficiently. How to Recycle Your Tablet Step 1: Backup Your Data Before parting ways with your tablet, it’s essential to back up any important data you may […]


Why You Should Recycle Electronics

From smartphones to laptops, we rely on these gadgets for communication, work, and entertainment. However, the inevitable question arises: what do we do with these devices when they reach the end of their lifecycle? The answer lies in electronics recycling, a powerful practice that not only mitigates environmental harm but also preserves valuable resources. In this blog, we will explore the compelling reasons why you should recycle electronics and how this simple act can contribute to a sustainable future for our planet. Top 5 Reasons You Should Recycle Electronics 1. Mitigate the Environmental Impact: The disposal of electronic devices poses a significant threat to the environment. When improperly discarded, these gadgets contribute to the growing problem of electronic waste (e-waste).  […]


Exploring Various Hard Drive Destruction Methods

As technology advances, so do the threats to data security. When it comes to retiring old hard drives or disposing of obsolete computer equipment, ensuring that confidential information doesn’t fall into the wrong hands becomes a critical concern. Blancco Technology Group reported that 42% of hard drives they purchased on eBay had sensitive data still on them despite the seller insisting they used proper sanitization methods. This blog will delve into various hard drive destruction methods, exploring the pros and cons of each to help you make an informed decision about protecting your data. 1. Physical Destruction or Shredding: Physical destruction and shredding involves physically breaking or disassembling the hard drive, rendering it inoperable. Professionals feed the hard drive through […]


Cell Phone Destruction through Ship N Shred

Old cell phones pose a risk of exposing personal and business information. Cell phones hold lots of sensitive information including login credentials, account numbers, contacts, and other data. Destroying your old phones is the only way to ensure that your data remains private. Cell phone companies and manufacturers may offer trade-in benefits for old phones, but often the benefit is not worth the risk. Factory resets have been proven ineffective at completely clearing your data. A study done at Cambridge University found that you can retrieve a phone’s master code 80% of the time after a factory reset. Hackers can use the code to access all of your “deleted” information to steal financial data and commit identity theft.  Why Should […]


How to Reduce E-Waste: Easy Steps to Follow

Each year, the world produces mountains of e-waste, weighing in at over 60 million tons a year. As we continue to incorporate technology into every facet of our lives, that number continues to grow. As a result, figuring out how we reduce that e-waste becomes more and more important as the years go on.  Increasing the urgency to reduce our e-waste output is the toxicity of the equipment as it decomposes. Most electronics contain toxic chemicals and elements like cadmium, mercury, and other rare earth elements that can poison the soil, water, and air around their disposal site.  Recycling e-waste helps prevent this but reducing e-waste can also benefit the environment and, often, your wallet.  How to Reduce E-Waste at […]


IT Recycling for Security and E-Waste Reduction

A company’s IT department is responsible for maintaining technology through its whole lifecycle. This commonly includes troubleshooting onboarding, technology setup, or, too often, asking if a coworker had restarted their computer to see if it solved the problem. However, the end of a piece of technology’s life cycle can not be solved with a simple restart. That requires recycling, and IT is often tasked with ensuring the safe disposal of the technology and its data.  The Importance of IT Recycling  While individuals should recycle their computers, phones, and other electronics to help reduce e-waste, the scale of the job for IT departments makes an effective recycling process even more crucial. When upgrading or replacing old systems, this often means hundreds […]


The Risks of Selling Electronics

If you have an old laptop, computer, or other piece of technology sitting around, it might be tempting to sell it and get some extra cash. While this can be a good solution, and a profitable one, you need to be aware of the risks that come with selling old electronics.  This is particularly important when it comes to laptops, cell phones, and computers. However, anything that contains your personal or payment information could be a risk if it’s sold to the wrong person.  How to Reduce the Risks of Selling Electronics  If that extra money in your pocket is too tempting to pass up, there are ways to make it safer. Selling the technology to a trusted friend or […]


Data Destruction Certificate: What is it, and Why is it Important?

A data destruction certificate, also referred to as a Certificate of Destruction, is a crucial part of the technology destruction or recycling process. The certificate guarantees that all of the data on a piece of technology was properly destroyed.  With data breaches and cyber crimes on the rise, this guarantee is more important than ever.  What is a Data Destruction Certificate? The actual data destruction certificate differs based on the company doing the work. However, most follow the template set below. The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) provides a framework for best practices in media and data destruction.  The certificate typically contains the person and provider performing the service, information about the type of media they’re destroying, a […]


Remote Work E-Waste: Sustainable and Secure Solutions

Remote and hybrid work launched as a grand experiment as offices closed down due to the pandemic. A few weeks out of the office turned into months and years. Now, for many workers, a remote or hybrid workspace is the new normal. While remote work was a success for many, it’s also created a new problem. E-waste from remote work is now piling up in concerning amounts.  Workers sent home often required new technology, or had to bring office equipment with them. With computer life cycles typically around 3-5 years, it’s more than likely that much of that equipment sourced at the beginning of the pandemic is reaching its end. And with workers reliant on well-functioning technology now more than […]