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How to Securely Dispose of an SSD

How to Securely Dispose of an SSD

Solid-state drives (SSDs) have long established themselves as the gold standard in hard drives. Fast, dependable and immune to the wear and tear that plagued older HDDs, storing your information on an SSD means that you don’t run the risk of one day losing access to that information.

Read on for how to securely dispose of an SSD

Don’t Use the Same Methods as for Traditional HDDs

There are many tried-and-true methods for secure data destruction when it comes to mechanical HDDs, but not all these will work for SSDs. There is nothing magnetic going on in an SSD, and random physical damage will not brick an SSD in the same way it would an HDD (there are too many chips, and it’s too easy to miss them).

Use an Encryption Key (and then Lose It)

Software like BitLocker (for Windows) or File Vault (for Mac OS) can be used to encrypt the full volume. Make sure nobody – including yourself – has the decryption key, and this makes data recovery a lot more difficult and in some cases impossible. To be extra sure, you can format the drive using a drive erasure software after encryption.

Contact the Manufacturer or Check Their Website

When it comes to secure IT recycling, one of the best assets you have is the original manufacturers. SSD manufacturers will often have the tools to facilitate secure disposal of their products. You many find erasing/reformatting tools that will guarantee your data is unrecoverable.

Samsung : https://www.samsungmagician.com/

Other manufacturers tools can be found easily on google

Physically Shred the SSD

The most surefire and 100% irreversible method of ensuring your data can never again be accessed, putting your SSD through a shredder is the last word in ITAD. It’s also the most expensive method, however, so it’s a question of how much you’re willing to pay to keep your data secure.

Shredding IT assets requires a specialised shredder, so trying to use an old office paper shredder isn’t going to cut it. Industrial SSD shredders start in the thousands, so this is really only an option for large-scale operations committed to data protection (like those bound by the GDPR). You also need to make sure that the shred width is narrow enough to get all of those chips – a shred width of no greater than half an inch is recommended.



Conclusion

Whether you’re involved in WEEE recycling or are simply trying to abide by the rules of the GDPR, secure IT recycling is something that’s important to a lot of businesses (and individuals), and it’s important that it’s done safely and securely. If you have an SSD (or SSDs) that need to be securely disposed of, consider your options carefully and go down the road that’s right for you. Hopefully now you have more of an idea of how to securely dispose of an SSD

 

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We provide Secure data destruction on all data bearing assets to ensure you and your organisation stays GDPR Compliant.

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Chaps IT Recycling Van
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Frequently Asked Questions

  • How much does it cost?

    93% of our collections have been carried out completely free of charge.

    When you recycle IT assets with us, we strive to resell or recycle anything possible, using those proceeds to offset the disposal costs of other IT assets you recycle. Once we assess your assets, we will inform you whether a rebate, cash, or other financial arrangements are available.

    More information on chargeable items can be found on our Items we recycle Page

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Everything You Need to Know About WEEE Compliance

Everything You Need To Know About WEEE Compliance

The Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment Directive was first announced in the UK in 2006 and was introduced with the aim of reducing the number of reclaimable electronics ending up in landfills each year. A whopping one million tonnes of electronic equipment go into landfills annually, which often contain heavy metals which are extremely harmful to the environment. Let’s take a look at everything you need to know about the WEEE Compliance and how to remain compliant.

What is the WEEE Directive?

The WEEE Directive aims to reduce the environmental impact of improper disposal of electronic equipment. It does this by sending equipment to certified waste management firms, meaning at least 85% of the materials used to create electronic equipment is recycled. It’s mandatory for any UK business to comply with the WEEE Directive, no matter whether you are a manufacturer, re-brander, seller, or importer of electrical and electronic equipment.

Businesses need to reduce the amount of waste that arises from their products by encouraging the reuse of electronics. When there is waste, it needs to be treated properly and meet the targets for the recycling of waste materials. Companies also need to start designing new products which minimise their use of materials and make it easier for consumers to recycle. With the increasing reliance on online businesses selling electronics, the WEEE Directive also applies to distance sellers and e-commerce business owners.

Top Tips for Remaining WEEE Compliant

For businesses that put more than five tonnes of EEE on the market each year in the UK, they must join a WEEE compliance scheme within the first 28 days of being in business. They’ll need to complete annual or quarterly reports about the amount of EEE they place on the market and mark EEE with the crossed-out wheelie bin symbol and a brand name. Manufacturers and producers are responsible for financing collection and treatment costs as well.

If your business places less than five tonnes of WEEE onto the market, you’ll still have to complete certain tasks, including registering with the Environmental Agency within your first 28 days. You’ll complete an annual report and still need to mark your products in the same way we shared above. Joining a compliance scheme means you’ll receive the support you need with this task, and you’ll have someone to work with to reduce recycling costs. This is with you really do need to know everything about WEEE compliance!!

 

What Products Come Under the WEEE Directive?

Any type of product that has an electric current, battery, or uses solar energy will fall under the WEEE Directive. This includes temperature exchange equipment, fridges and freezers, air conditioning, heating pumps, screens, and tablets. Lamps and large equipment will also be placed under these restrictions, as well as smaller devices and IT and telecommunications equipment.

 

The risks of non-compliance in the UK include fines and prosecution, which is why it’s so important to remain in compliance at all times. You should never ignore a letter stating you aren’t in compliance and will need to act immediately to rectify your situation. The WEEE Directive is a great initiative to protect the future of our planet, but as a business owner, make sure you do everything you can to follow the directive at all times in the future.

Final thoughts

Conclusion paragraph: If you’re like most companies, you have a lot of outdated technology lying around your office. You might not even realize it’s taking up space and collecting dust – but it is. And that old technology is doing more harm than good. It’s time to contact Chaps IT Recycling and let us take care of your IT recycling needs. We can help you clear out all that old tech safely and securely, so you can make room for the new and improved versions. Don’t wait – contact us today! Now hopefully you have everything you need to know about WEEE Compliance

Chaps IT Recycling Van
Book a Collection Today

Frequently Asked Questions

  • How much does it cost?

    93% of our collections have been carried out completely free of charge.

    When you recycle IT assets with us, we strive to resell or recycle anything possible, using those proceeds to offset the disposal costs of other IT assets you recycle. Once we assess your assets, we will inform you whether a rebate, cash, or other financial arrangements are available.

    More information on chargeable items can be found on our Items we recycle Page

Our IT recycling services are free of charge to all businesses & organisations Why choose us ?

Secure Fast Collection

The collection is usually within 24-72 hours and can be scheduled in or outside of normal office hours.  (Contactless collection available if required)

Items We Recycle

Secure Data Destruction

All collected items will be inspected and the appropriate action will be carried out to ensure all sensitive and private data is removed.  If the item cannot be securely wiped it will be physically destroyed

Learn More

Asset Report & Certificate

Once your items have been processed a report will be forwarded, detailing all aspects of the collected assets and the method of data destruction carried out on each asset

Example Report

Fully Insured & Compliant

We have been inspected by the environmental agency who have confirmed we are following the strict practices they enforce for all WEEE recycling companies. Ensuring waste is collected and treated in the correct way.

Contact Us For More Information

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Why Every Company Needs An IT Recycler

Why Every Company Needs an IT Recycler

There are many benefits to using an IT recycler for your business. Data destruction and data security are two of the most important reasons why every company should use an IT recycler. When you work with a reputable recycler, your data is in good hands. By using an experienced and certified recycler, you can rest assured that your data will be destroyed securely and in accordance with all relevant laws and regulations.

What is an IT recycler?

IT recycling has become very popular in recent years as more and more businesses realize the benefits of securely destroying data. An IT recycler is a company that specializes in the secure disposal of electronic waste. They offer a variety of services, including data destruction, recycling, and refurbishing.

This process involves the dismantling of old, obsolete, or non-working electronics to recover materials The recovered material is then sold for a profit and the remaining components are recycled or disposed of in an environmentally friendly manner.

You might be thinking to yourself, why should I use an IT recycler when I can just throw my electronics in the trash? Data destruction is required by law and it also protects your company from data breaches. Data security is a major concern for many businesses.

What companies should use an IT recycler?

Any company that has old or unused electronics should use an IT recycler. This includes businesses of all sizes, from small mom and pop shops to large corporations. Even if you don’t have any electronics to recycle, you can still benefit from the data destruction services offered by IT recyclers.

The benefits of working with an IT recycler


Correct data destruction

One of the most important services that an IT recycler offers is data destruction. When you work with a reputable recycler, you can rest assured that your data will be destroyed securely and in accordance with all relevant laws and regulations. If you do not properly destroy your data, there may be confidential information that could fall into the wrong hands. This could cause a data breach, which could lead to costly damages for your business. Data destruction can be can a complicated process, which is why it’s important to work with a company that has the experience and certified professionals.

Data Security

Another major benefit of using an IT recycler is data security. By securely destroying your data, you are protecting yourself from potential cyber-attacks. Data breaches can be very costly for businesses and they can also damage your company’s reputation. In some cases, companies have been forced to close down after suffering a data breach. Data security is critical for any business because it helps protect sensitive information about customers and clients. Data security can be difficult and time-consuming, which is why many companies choose not to do it themselves.

GDPR compliance

Data breaches can lead to hefty fines and even Prison time for the offenders. We can help your business become GDPR compliant by securely destroying all of your data.

E-waste recycling

Another important benefit of using an IT recycler is e-waste recycling. When you recycle your electronics, you are not only protecting the environment, but you are also helping to conserve valuable resources. By using a certified recycler, you can rest assured that your data is being destroyed in the proper manner. Using an IT recycler can save you a lot of money in the long run because we are able to provide services that would otherwise be cost-prohibitive.

How to choose the right recycler for your business

Now you know the importance of using an IT recycler, but how do you choose the right one for your business? There are many different recyclers out there and not all of them are created equal. Here are some tips for choosing the right recycler.

Understand your companies recycling needs

The first step is to understand your companies recycling needs. What type of electronics do you have? What kind of data do they contain?  Once you know what services you need, you can start to narrow down your options.

Check certification and licensing

Next, you should check the certification and license of each recycler. Make sure that they are certified by the National Association for Information Destruction (NAID). This is the most reputable and trusted certification in the industry.

Look for experience

You should also look for a recycler that has experience with your specific type of electronics. They will be able to properly recycle them and destroy any data that may be on them. The last thing you want is to lose your data because of an inexperienced recycler!

Determine if the company has enough staff and resources

Make sure that the IT recycler you choose has enough staff and resources to handle your business’s needs. If they do not, then you may end up paying for services that you don’t need or worse yet – never receiving the service at all!


Ask about the data destruction process

Data destruction is a very important part of IT recycling. If you want your data destroyed in the most secure manner possible, you need to ask the recycler about their data destruction process. They should be able to tell you how they will destroy your data and what type of equipment they use.


Check pricing

Finally, you should check the pricing of each recycler. Make sure that they are offering a fair price for their services. You don’t want to overpay for data destruction!

Final thoughts

Conclusion paragraph: If you’re like most companies, you have a lot of outdated technology lying around your office. You might not even realize it’s taking up space and collecting dust – but it is. And that old technology is doing more harm than good. It’s time to contact Chaps IT Recycling and let us take care of your IT recycling needs. We can help you clear out all that old tech safely and securely, so you can make room for the new and improved versions. Don’t wait – contact us today!

ISO 27001 Certified
ISO 9001 14001 Certified
Blancco Secure Data Erasure
icologo
Chaps IT Recycling Van
Book a Collection Today

Frequently Asked Questions

  • How Do You Offer A Free Service?

    With our expertise, tools, and experience, we guarantee eco-friendly disposal of your IT assets, whether by refurbishing them for resale or extracting precious metals from disassembled devices. We understand the value held by both new and old assets and are capable of offsetting any costs associated with processing, all while prioritizing environmental sustainability

Other news & related posts

Hard Drive Destruction Services How They Protect Your Data and What They Do

Hard Drive Destruction Services. How They Protect Your Data and What They Do

Hard Drive Destruction ServicesHow They Protect Your Data and What They Do  In this expertly curated guide, a wealth of information has been compiled, drawing from extensive experience in the IT Asset Recycling & Data Destruction industry accumulated over the years. Each data destruction method is meticulously detailed, offering the necessary insights to assist you […]

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