Security is not only important while using your new PC,
but when disposing of your legacy or old computer equipment as well. Information can be
retrieved in several different ways once your system leaves your house or
office.
There are many applications out there which can help you format your hard
disk drive, but even their lawyers won’t allow them to say its 100%
effective.
So, what should you do? Here are a couple ideas on computer disposal that
may help:
Go ahead and recycle your computer in an EPA
fashion, but remove your hard disk drive and add it to your new system for
extra storage (Secure);
Find a local company that will melt you hard disk
drive. Usually a recycler or machine shop may perform this job (Secure, but
it will cost money);
Find a local company that will use a
degaussing machine in order to eradicate your hard disk drive (Secure, but it
will cost money);
Use a secondary application to format your drive,
but run the program 3-5 times even if it states it’s not necessary
(99.9% secure, but still possible to recover data).
Computer Disposal and the EPA
Make sure when you recycle your old system you comply
with the Environmental Protection Agency ("EPA") guidelines. Here are some basic facts on computer disposal that will help you.
According to the official EPA website
www.epa.gov:
The Environmental Protection Agency has
strict regulations regarding the disposal of hazardous materials;
Penalties for
violations are distributed in the form of fines as well as Public Service;
Nearly 250 million computers will become obsolete in
the next five years;
Many people discard computers every three to five years;
In 2004, only 11 percent of personal computers retired
in the U.S. were recycled.
TVs and computers can contain an average of four pounds
of lead (depending on their size, make and vintage) as well as other
substances of potential concern like chromium, cadmium, mercury, beryllium,
nickel, zinc and bormianted flame retardants. These materials need to be
handled carefully and are potential health hazards.
