Your Data Stays Safe
ReturnCenter has years of experience working with Fortune 500 companies to safely take back their old IT equipment. We specialize in electronics and our recycling partners are all certified to the Responsible Recycling (R2) Standard.
The R2 standard was developed specifically for the international electronics recycling industry. R2 provides a common set of processes, safety measures and documentation requirements for businesses that repair and recycle used electronics. This certification ensures that electronic waste is processed in a responsible manner, with a focus on worker safety, environmental protection, and data security.
Additionally, we have developed a thorough process with trained recycling partners to ensure that any personal data left on any device is completely erased following the most up-to-date, comprehensive practices. Some of the data erasure methods used are:
- Data Wiping Software: Recycling companies often use software specifically designed for wiping data from electronic devices. The software will overwrite the hard drive with random data multiple times to ensure that any existing data is irretrievable.
- Physical Destruction: Some recycling companies physically destroy the hard drive or even the entire device, to ensure that no data can be retrieved from it. This can be done using a variety of methods, such as shredding, crushing, or melting.
- Degaussing: This is a process that uses a strong magnetic field to erase data from the hard drive. Recycling companies may use a degausser machine to erase the data on a laptop’s hard drive.
- Manual Data Removal: In some cases, recycling companies may remove the hard drive from a laptop and manually delete any data stored on it. This method can be time-consuming and may not be as effective as other methods, but it can be useful for certain situations.
Regardless of the method used, you can be assured that your personal information will be erased completely before your device is recycled or resold.