If you have an old computer, electronic recycling is an excellent way to give it a second life and keep it out of our landfills. E-waste is a major problem throughout the world, and the parts that make up your computer can actually be fairly toxic. In areas where they have been burning devices, for example, there is an increased risk of cancer, so it is important to find the proper way to dispose of your computer, rather than simply throwing it in the trash.
We offer a variety of solutions that make it easy to recycle. These include community drop off events, and we will even pick up devices from local businesses. One common concern we hear from the community is whether or not their information will be secure. There are several things you should do prior to getting rid of a computer that can help to keep your personal information private.
Follow these simple steps prior to making a donation:
- Back up your data. Anything that you want or need like Word documents, Excel files, and photos needs to be backed up. We recommend setting up a free Gmail account and uploading everything to Google drive. This is a simple way to save your data on a regular basis, and you can access it from any computer with an internet connection. You can also purchase an external hard drive and back everything up, but then you have to spend the money for an additional piece of equipment.
- Wipe the drive. You can do this fairly easily by re-installing Windows. Windows 8 users can go to PC Settings>>General>>Remove everything and reinstall Windows. If you have Windows 7 or older, consult your computer manual for the best way to do it. You can also use a program that is designed to wipe your drive. Just download it online. The challenge with the route is that you will have to re-install the operating system if you plan on giving it to a friend or family member.
- Remove sensitive files. If you like, you can simply erase personal data using a program like Eraser for Windows. You can pick and choose what to delete with this program. The trick is to make sure that you don’t miss anything since whatever you do miss will still be available to view by whoever you give the computer to.
- Kill the hard drive. If you have ever watched Office Space, you probably remember the scene where they take a hammer and kill the printer. Many people feel like doing that from time to time with electronics that simply aren’t working like they should. If you have ever wanted to destroy your computer, you can. It is still wise to delete the data first; then you can remove the hard drive, beat it up and still give away the computer shell at an electronic recycling event. All you need is a small screwdriver to remove the back panel and the hard drive can be pulled right out.
Decide which option is right for you based on what you are doing with the device. If you are giving it away at one of our electronic recycling events, we can provide you with additional tips and information in person.
