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Hard drive recycling and data destruction

If you have obsolete IT assets due for recycling, it’s important to consider whether there is any sensitive information held on old media devices and formats. Trust Zero Tech Waste to protect your organisation’s data by managing the secure destruction of your redundant data storage devices.

Secure data destruction services

How do you recycle old hard drives and media storage devices while protecting confidential information?

Did you know that electronic components must be recycled to be compliant with WEEE regulations, including data storage media?

The good news is that you can recycle all parts of a computer — the motherboard, cards and CPUs contain recoverable metals like copper, silver, gold, and silicon. The hard drive, cables, power supply, and optical drives all have recyclable components — even plastic enclosures and rubber feet can be reprocessed.

Evaluate the need for data protection

You’ll find confidential business information on a wide range of digital and electronic media. Whether you are recycling an entire computer or just the hard drives, it is important think about the types of data stored on them. They often contain sensitive employee, customer, and business-critical information such as financial records and network login credentials.

How to prepare your devices for recycling…
  • Inventory — Make a list of devices and their contents, especially those holding critical or confidential information.
  • Take a backup — Use secure cloud storage, external hard drives, or network-attached storage (NAS) to transfer important data. Double-check the backup to confirm all necessary files are intact and accessible.
  • Keep it safe — Whilst waiting for your Zero Tech Waste collection, make sure you securely store media that may still contain sensitive data.
  • Read more… preparing your IT equipment for recycling

Ensuring proper data destruction is essential to minimise risks, but erasing this data in-house can often be a lengthy and time-consuming process. However we make it easy and secure.

Why use Zero Tech Waste for all your data destruction needs?

You can be confident you are in safe hands when you choose us to manage the destruction of your old data. We track everything from the point of collection and transit, all the way through processing in our facility to recycling.

We securely destroy all confidential data using the latest NCSC-approved data erasure software and CPNI-approved shredding technology. We send you a data destruction certificate when the recycling process is complete and everything is properly recycled.

Hard drive destruction

Hard drives & internal storage

We securely destroy data found hard disk drives (HDDs), solid-state drives (SSDs), flash drives and all internal storage media.

Secure hard disk destruction

Removable storage media

We also handle optical media (like CDs and CD-ROMs, DVDs and DVD-ROMs, Blu-ray, and HD-DVD); Magnetic backup tapes (any kind of DLT, mini cartridges etc.); Floppy disks; Zip Disks; Memory cards; Smart cards and SIM cards.

Computer recycling

We recycle all waste IT

We collect laptops, mobile devices, servers & telephony equipment, monitors & displays, printers and accessories.

In fact we can recycle most e-waste (WEEE) for FREE, but note that there are a few items that we charge to collect.

Enhanced data destruction service

We offer end-to-end asset tracking & certification as an enhanced service that includes a full audit trail and a Enhanced Certificate of Destruction for each individual device/disk. It’s just £5 (ex. VAT) per item, let us know how many items when you book your collection.

It’s FREE to recycle your old hard disks & media drives

We provide a professional IT recycling and computer disposal service at absolutely no cost to you*, and which is 100% carbon negative. Our service includes collection from your premises, secure data wiping, recycling all certificates & documentation.

* Note: we may make a charge for collections of fewer than 10 items, or for certain items. Please see our fees here or email us for further information

The process of hard drive destruction

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.

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.

We’re here to help, and will advise you on the most appropriate method for your needs.

Why use Zero Tech Waste for all your data destruction needs?

We offer flexible solutions, including secure wheelie bins for on-site collection or convenient bulk pickups from your premises. With our free* IT equipment collection service, you can recycle your redundant IT assets at no cost when you have at least 10 qualifying items.

Vetted staff
Secure operations you can trust

Security cleared staff and facilities at all stages of the process, from collection to destruction.

Secure handling
Compliant and insured

GDPR, Environment Agency and WEEE Compliant. Fully insured.

Tracked service option
Trackable service

Option of individual asset documentation & certificates if required.

Save time
Save time & effort

We handle the entire process from collection to secure data destruction and certification. All you need to do is book us in.

It’s easy to recycle e-waste with us

  • Free, nationwide collections
  • Secure data destruction
  • WEEE & GDPR compliant

We recycle all IT, WEEE and electronic waste, and we offer free collections from your premises when there’s 10 or more qualifying items. We guarantee 100% destruction of your sensitive data and you will receive a Certificate of Destruction when the items have been recycled. Whether you’re looking for a one-time solution or ongoing support, we’re here to make IT recycling simple, sustainable, and stress-free.

Zero Tech Waste IT Recycling Collections

Book a collection

We collect IT waste from your premises at a convenient time. Fully secure, tracked and certified. Free when there’s 10 or more qualifying items.

Secure on-site IT recycling with Zero Bin

Zero Bin

A secure on-site bin for recycling IT waste. You pay for the initial cost of the bin, and the recycling is free when there’s at least 10 qualifying items inside.

Zero Post Free, secure IT Recycling by post

Zero Post

Recycle with our free and secure postal service, Zero Post. We’ll send you a shipping label, you package your items then give them to our trusted courier and we do the rest.