Old HDD Disposal / Recycling

[BP9906]

I've used AI to get the usual recommendations of various retailers.
I'm aware that HDD you can destroy them by breaking the platters inside via disassembly or drill and/or various tools to write/overwrite/DBAN the data.

Just curious if anyone has had any recommendations from experience of reputable companies actually recycling your old HDD.

 

[PHolder]

Don't most municipalities have some sort of e-waste receiver? (Maybe that's only a Canada thing.)

 

[EdwinG]

I wipe the drives 8 times, per the OPS-II spec. Then, I drop them into the provincial e-cycling bin (paid by the ecofees that hard disc manufacturers charge upon purchase)

 

[peterblaise]

I SE Secure Erase and or "wipe" with any of the many free utilities,
then donate to the local computer store, let them use them as spares,
parts, or sell, or re-donate as they see fit.

I hate to see good parts go to waste.

Google says today:

Some data recovery companies and specialized IT asset disposition​

( ITAD ) firms accept donations or purchases of old, used, or dead​

hard drives to use as "donor drives" for parts in their repair and​

recovery projects.​

​

These drives are often used to salvage components like read/write​

heads and PCBs. [1, 2]​

​

Where to Donate or Sell Old Hard Drives:​

​

• The Data Rescue Center: Offers a free, secure hard drive​

recycling program where they safely wipe data and use the​

hardware for parts in data recovery.​

​

• DataRecovery.net: Accepts old, unused drives at no cost to be​

used as donor parts for their recovery projects.​

​

• Bizarre Electronics Repair ( via Facebook/Pavel ): Frequently​

asks for dead/old drives for data recovery practice.​

​

• Big Data Supply, Inc.: Buys used 2.5" to 3.5" corporate hard​

drives in bulk.​

​

• ITAD Companies ( for example, Avail Recovery ): Can help
dispose of or sell used hard drives. [1, 2, 3, 4, 5]​

​

Important Safety & Tips:​

​

• Data Security: Always attempt to wipe or format your drive before​

donating, even if the company promises secure erasure.​

​

• Alternative Donation/Recycling: Goodwill Industries accepts old​

computer equipment for responsible recycling.​

​

• Best Buy: The Geek Squad also has a recycling program for old​

tech. [6, 7, 8, 9, 10] <-- caution, BestBuy is reported to have​

contacted the FBI because of the contents of a customer's hard​

drive in their service department - my own experience is that they
do not chaperone their techs, and are therefore not a trustworthy
servicer.​

​

If the drive is "dead" ( or, for example, clicking, or not even turning​

on), it is still highly valuable to data recovery specialists for these​

parts. [11, 12]​

​

[1] https://www.prosofteng.com/blog/recycling-your-old-hard-drive​

[2] https://www.datarecovery.net/data-destruction-and-drive-recycling.aspx​

[3] https://bigdatasupplyinc.com/sell-your-i-t-equipment/hard-drives/​

[4] https://availrecovery.com/how-to-get-the-most-out-of-old-hard-drives/​

[5] https://www.facebook.com/groups/336697900226565/posts/1793963971166610/​

[6] https://dcgoodwill.org/community/sustainability-efforts/computer-recycling-program/​

[7] https://www.goodwillheartland.org/donate/computer-donations/​

[8] https://www.bestbuy.com/site/geek-s...ry/pcmcat748300502324.c?id=pcmcat748300502324​

[9] https://corporate.bestbuy.com/2023/how-to-recycle-or-trade-in-your-old-tech/​

[10] https://www.extremetech.com/electro...pick-up-your-tech-recycling-but-its-not-cheap​

[11] https://www.gillware.com/hard-drive-data-recovery/how-to-recover-data-from-a-dead-hard-drive/​

[12] https://www.tomsguide.com/how-to/how-to-recover-data-from-a-hard-drive​

I hope this helps those reading here to get a useful overview and
some leads on best practices.

I'd offer to take them, except I already have at least two of every
type of drive as I pitch in and support @Steve Gibson's development
of SpinRite, ValiDrive, and whatever comes next.

Thanks.