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Complete step-by-step guide to recycling business IT waste

What to expect when you choose to recycle with us.

Recycling IT assets with us is simple

In short, you can just call us and we’ll arrange a collection – but a little preparation helps to ensure you have taken backups and considered how to decommission your assets before we collect them. Remember, we will handle the secure data destruction. We have a range of guidance articles you can read to learn more about recycling your old business IT assets.

How to recycle your business IT waste

Plan your WEEE Recycling
Think about how many IT assets you need to recycle, the types and size of them. To help keep track whilst you are creating a list use our simple IT asset Recycling checklist which you can print out while collecting information. Check out our guide to assets we can collect. In most instances we offer a free service. However, this is dependent on both the number and type of items to be collected. Some specific pieces of equipment are also considered chargeable items.
Book a collection
Complete our booking form to let us know what equipment you have and when you would like us to collect it, you can also attach a completed checklist, if you have one. We will contact you to confirm any data destruction needs and confirm the date and time of your IT recycling collection. You can also tell us about access and where to park our vehicles.
WEEE recycling collection day
Prior to arrival, you’ll gather all of your equipment in one place. Our security-cleared team will do all the heavy lifting and provide you with a Duty of Care Certificate (Waste transfer note) at the point of exchange. If you realise you’ve forgotten to book some equipment in for collection, simply speak to our driver. If there’s space in the van we’ll take it away for you.
Processing & certification
It is important to properly erase all sensitive data when you dispose of redundant IT assets. Here’s a quick look at three methods we use at Zero Tech Waste: data wiping, degaussing, and shredding. Each method has its own benefits, depending on your priorities for security and sustainability. We’re here to help, and will advise you on the most appropriate method for your needs.

Secure data destruction methods

Data Wiping

Data wiping is the preferred, and eco-friendly method for securely erasing sensitive information. Overwriting data on hard drives and other storage devices ensures the information cannot be recovered or accessed by others. This approach also allows equipment to be reused, reducing environmental impact and promoting sustainability.

Degaussing

Degaussing is a process that destroys data on devices such as hard drives, by eliminating the magnetic field. While highly effective at destroying data, it renders the device unusable and is less environmentally friendly compared to data wiping.

IT Asset shredding

Shredding physically destroys IT assets by breaking electronic devices into fragments no larger than 6 mm. This process completely destroys the hard drive’s platters, mechanisms, and electronic components, ensuring that all data is irretrievable.

What happens to my IT recycling after data destruction?

When the data has been destroyed, we issue your Certificate of Destruction by email for audit purposes.

We prioritise reuse & recycling over physical destruction of assets after the data is totally and irretrievably destroyed. This allows the equipment to be refurbished and to re-enter the circular economy where it will have a useful second life.

After we have removed and securely data cleansed all storage media, the equipment is repaired if this is required, cleaned, and recycled entirely in-house. When equipment is unsuitable for reuse or is beyond repair, we dismantle it into its component parts for recycling and materials recovery — a process which happens here in the UK.

Book a collection