Disposing of computer hardware

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domtyler

Über Member
I have a pile of computer hardware to get rid of. Do I bin it or can I recycle?

We are talking four or five hard drives, a complete PC, a motherboard, some RAM, various cables and other bits and bobs that all have to go.

Obviously this much metal must equal a years metal foil/tins recycling so I can't really see much point in recycling the foil and then binning this.
 

yorkshiregoth

Master of all he surveys
Location
Heathrow
Make sure you drives are completely wiped. Don't want to leave any personal info on there.
 
On another forum, I read that old computer hardware sells well on Ebay if you have the inclination to take a punt. Might be worth searching for what you have and seeing whether it is fetching any money.
 

SamNichols

New Member
Location
Colne, Lancs
The local tip usually takes them, and the blokes who work there filch what they want out of it, if you can't sell it. You can also put in on freecycle as well: you may not want it, but someone else may.
(The hardest things to get rid of are old monitors by the way, noone wants them)
 

TVC

Guest
If your hard drives have ever held personal data then best advised to hammer a couple of nails through them, not even the CIA could retrieve the data then.
 

fossyant

Ride It Like You Stole It!
Location
South Manchester
Tell me about old monitors.... we have two really nice 17" CRT ones.... one to try and get rid of... the other on a spare PC for the young kids..
 

fossyant

Ride It Like You Stole It!
Location
South Manchester
I was worried when an under warranty HD failed - info on the drive - no way of recovering other than try a strong magnet (no use apparently) as it had to be returned in good condition and the drive was dead... it was a 'mirrored drive' - i.e. RAID, so potentially had photos of the family and other bits on - and NO.....NO PORN.....

I'd recommend RAID for anyone whose motherboard supports it - my PC is 2-3 years old.... saves your bacon...
 

bonj2

Guest
domtyler said:
I have a pile of computer hardware to get rid of. Do I bin it or can I recycle?

We are talking four or five hard drives, a complete PC, a motherboard, some RAM, various cables and other bits and bobs that all have to go.

Obviously this much metal must equal a years metal foil/tins recycling so I can't really see much point in recycling the foil and then binning this.
I vaguely recall at one point seeing an organisation that ships such unwanteds to the third world, can't remember the details unfortunately. There's definitely one for bikes, I know 'cos I tried to get my puch clubman shipped to the third world, but I don't think even the third world was that desparate.

Do a search on t' internet.

SamNichols said:
The local tip usually takes them, and the blokes who work there filch what they want out of it, if you can't sell it. You can also put in on freecycle as well: you may not want it, but someone else may.
(The hardest things to get rid of are old monitors by the way, noone wants them)
I once saw a skip full of old CRTs, and that was back in 2002, so they must be even less popular now what with TFTs coming down in price.

Twenty Inch said:
On another forum, I read that old computer hardware sells well on Ebay if you have the inclination to take a punt. Might be worth searching for what you have and seeing whether it is fetching any money.

Could try sticking it on, as 'non-guaranteed', however pretty much ALL second hand hard-drives on ebay say 'non-guaranteed', so...
If they're less than 80GB i wouldn't expect them to fetch much at all and wouldn't waste the auction fee.

I'd personally just bung the whole lot on freecycle, someone will just pick it up.
 

killiekosmos

Veteran
Don't the WEEE regulations apply to old electrical kit? They have some 'nasty' biyts not ideal for landfill. My local council has a special container at the recycling yard just for computers, TVs monitors etc.
 

Speicher

Vice Admiral
Moderator
killiekosmos said:
Don't the WEEE regulations apply to old electrical kit? They have some 'nasty' biyts not ideal for landfill. My local council has a special container at the recycling yard just for computers, TVs monitors etc.

Err yes, that's what I meant to say - a special recycling facility (large container) at the local tip.
 

TheDoctor

Europe Endless
Moderator
Location
The TerrorVortex
If you're getting rid of hard drives then use a program called DBAN on them. (google it) It writes random cr@p to every sector, so any data is gone for good.
Usual disclaimer - no connection, no axe to grind. It's what I use at work for secure wipes. Runs from a CD and takes a few hoyrs.
 
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