Hardware disposal: what do you need to know?

by WORLD GREEN E-WASTE Professional E-Waste Recycling Services

The hardware components, the so-called physical parts of a computer, have a completely different problem in the disposal phase compared to a simple light bulb or even a battery, much more dangerous in other ways. Let's see together, in order, why and what you need to know for proper hardware disposal .

 

1. Main categories of electronic waste

 

As well as other electrical and electronic devices, dismantled hardware components fall into the category called WEEE, or Waste Electrical or Electronic Equipment. Therefore the waste disposal process follows a real procedure in accordance with the law and cannot be carried out lightly, under penalty of incursion into criminal penalties. E-waste recycling service, and therefore also the hardware equipment, must be disposed according to a particular procedure.

2. WEEE waste and IT waste

 

Among the electronic equipment it is necessary to distinguish, in addition to those that can be considered toxic or potentially harmful to the environment during disposal and the less toxic ones, also the characteristics of the equipment. For example, hardware components often contain a set of personal information that is potentially recoverable even after formatting . For this reason, the Privacy Guarantor has established particular provisions on management in the event of disposal. Personal computers, smartphones, servers and other devices containing memory cards are therefore subject to special treatment.

 

3. Because the hardware needs a specific disposal process

 

Memory drives such as a personal computer motherboard or other components such as server parts or other circuits may contain sensitive personal data . For this reason, for the respect of privacy and all the provisions regarding the guarantee of the same, before being disposed of, they must be subjected by law to the elimination of sensitive data . By following the relevant provisions it is possible to overcome problems related to the theft or appropriation of sensitive private data by third parties during the disposal or recycling of the WEEE device containing data.

 

4. How to eliminate the data present in a WEEE waste in a definitive and safe way

 

The formatting of a file or a hard disk in most cases is not sufficient to completely eliminate the presence of sensitive data from the device. What must be done to permanently delete sensitive data ? To permanently delete personal data from equipment that is being disposed of or recycled, in compliance with the European privacy legislation, it is possible to proceed in one of the following ways:

 

·         Data encryption through dedicated professional software

·         data demagnetization through dedicated equipment

·         Physical destruction of memory units containing data

 

5. Who to contact for the disposal of electronic waste containing sensitive data

 

To ensure the correct disposal and deletion of data containing intellectual property, it is necessary to rely on specialized companies responsible for the collection and disposal of IT WEEE. These companies are not only capable of properly disposing of electronic waste, but they have the necessary authorizations and skills.

 

 If you need more information on the disposal of hardware or other WEEE waste, what are you waiting for? You can contact us! 

Read also: Computer Science: The Recycling Of Electronic Waste

 

Read also: E-waste: what they are and why they are dangerous

Sponsor Ads

• Ad Space Available - Rent it Now!

Created on Sep 8th 2021 03:17. Viewed 247 times.

Comments