How to Properly Dispose of Your Old Computer Equipment

Properly disposing of old computer equipment involves four steps that must happen in order: inventory, data destruction, physical disposition (recycling or remarketing), and documentation. Inventory: Before anything is moved, create a complete list of every device being decommissioned, make, model, serial number, and asset tag. This inventory is the foundation of your chain-of-custody documentation and is essential for matching certificates of destruction to specific devices.

Data destruction: Choose a secure destruction method for every hard drive, SSD, and other storage medium before the device leaves your facility or the ITAD provider's custody. Physical shredding and documented software wiping are different options; the appropriate method depends on the media and your requirements. Request a serialized Certificate of Data Destruction documenting each destroyed drive by serial number and method.

Physical disposition and documentation: Once data is destroyed, working computers may be refurbished and remarketed; non-working devices go directly to the recycling stream. In either case, obtain a certificate of recycling or remarketing confirming final disposition. Retain all certificates, inventory, data destruction, and recycling records for at least three years. Ask providers whether they can support all four steps for your business. Contact Chicago Lamp Recycling at 866-770-2650.