As we are getting ourselves electrical devices, we also have our environmental responsibilities that we should strictly practice. This just sounds fair, right? To avoid the harmful and dangerous effects of electrical wastes, we need to be responsible when disposing of them after years of use. Not only are we saving the planet from unfair suffering due to human-made problems, but we are also conserving the raw materials if we practice the proper disposal of computers, including their parts.

With that, we should include our environmental responsibility in knowing how to dispose of old computer disks. Since computer disks have a valuable use in computers, it is vital to know the proper and safe ways to dispose of them. 

Let's quickly learn what computer disks are and the safe and proper ways to dispose of old computer disks.  

What are computer disks?

Computer disks are computer data storage devices, such as floppy disks, hard disks, and compact disks, and it is referred to as secondary memory. In addition, it contains important and sensitive information, when they are old and not needed a new one should replace it, and it must be disposed of properly. Proper handling and disposal of old computer disks are essential and critical. 

Also, safety precautions are a must when owning and using old computers disks to prevent them from experiencing physical damage, excessive heat, file fragmentation, frequent on-and-off, and power surges. It is also possible for computer disks to fail even if you take care of them because getting damaged is inevitable; it's starting to malfunction when things get older. Taking note of all mentioned above will make your computer disks last longer. 

Here are the types of computer disks:

Floppy Disks

Floppy disks are flexible, removable magnetic disks (typically encased in a hard plastic shell) for storing data. These disks are easily destroyed by removing the metal cover or tearing the plastic disk inside and can be thrown away. When recycled, these floppy disks can be useful again as being a floppy disk notepad or pen and letter holder. 

Hard Drives

Another common type of computer disk is the hard drive. It is a high-capacity and self-contained storage device—this stores data on a metal platter. For proper and safe disposal, disks should be thrown or destroyed.

CD ROMS

On the other hand, CD ROMS computer disks are commonly used for software for installation programs and data files. When disks are no longer functional and needed, you can send them to the environmental safety-compliant recycling services company for necessary disposal.

Steps to do before old computer disks disposal

Technology is rapidly evolving; computer companies release new versions of computers every year. Businesses incorporate the latest tools and equipment as their way to keep up with business trends. Also, although it is tempting just to throw away electrical devices and parts, the effect of that irresponsible action is not simple. 

Disposing of old computer disks is not a simple thing; it requires proper ways of disposal; however, everyone, including you, can learn it, and many are willing to help just to achieve the appropriate disposal. Similarly, the disposal of old computer disks is a crucial matter nowadays regarding data security and environmental protection. Recycling your old computer disk provides numerous benefits to the environment as well as your community. In addition, it reduces the amount of waste and limits buying new products. 

Before disposing of your old computer disks, there are things you should remember. These ways are the effective ways you should check out and practice before doing the computer and old computer disks disposal. 

Backup Everything

Creating a backup for your important files can save you a lot of work in the future. Once you delete all your work, you cannot retrieve them, and you better have a backup plan.

Furthermore, without even disposing of it, you must back up your files to protect them from unwanted loss, viruses, and data corruption. In backing up, store a copy of the data in separate drives. Backing up everything must be part of the daily routine. In Abtron Computer Services, we got your back so you can successfully back up all the necessary data you need. 

Delete your data in old computer disks

After securing that you backed up all your essential files, deleting all your files is the next step.

Secure the process of deleting all the information from the software and hard drives. You must delete all the data from the old disk since this method effectively prevents other people from accessing your data and using it in illegal activities. Computer programming and specialized skills strategies, however, can recover the data and restore it. After that, you can also use programs to check if your data is wiped out from your electric devices. Some of the effective programs include Test Disk, PC Inspector File Recovery, and Wise Data Recovery.

The proper and safe data disposal method

Organizations, businesses, and companies are either small or big using computer devices for data storing or data systems. When data or old computer disks are no longer necessary for them, they have the common thing to do: dispose of it properly. Following the best methods for secure data, destruction is essential.

Let's look at the methods for securely destructing or disposing of data.

1. Shredding or Wiping

Wiping is an effective process that deletes the data from storage. It renders computer-based files unreadable. The more times data is overwritten, the more unreadable it becomes. Moreover, shredding is a method used by physically destroying a hard drive using a heavy-duty shredding machine. To ensure your digital files are gone beyond recovery, shred them.

2. Clearing

In this way, it removes data to prevent an end-user from quickly recovering data and information. Disk Cleanup is also present in this process, and it helps free up the spaces and create improved system performance. This process also protects work and confidential information and prevents data from falling into the wrong people.

3. Degaussing

Degaussing uses a strong magnetic field to regroup the structure of the HDD. Once the HDD is degaussed, you can no longer use it. This process secured the erasure of hard drives and data destruction. Using this will guarantee that data and information are no longer retrievable. 

4. Physical destruction of old computer disks

This method ensures HDDs' secure disposal and destruction as they are crushed or mechanically shredded so that no one can ever restore data. There will be zero possibility that someone can recover the data from an old computer disk. Also, when destroyed, they cannot reuse or refurbish the drive.

5. Built-in Cleaning Commands

Cleaning command is an efficient method when the device is to be reused in the organization. This process is to delete information and write new binary data over it. When the commands are successfully done, you can conveniently use your disks and device again. With this, we can reserve the raw materials for longer years. 

6. Physical Encryption

Physical encryption is the ultimate way to prevent others from accessing and retrieving your data. This process ensures that device data will never be recovered or reconstructed because it comes with a high-security system to assure you that your data will not fall into the hands of data thieves. 

7. Recycle old computer disks

Recycling helps to conserve necessary materials and protect us for the future. Many electronic devices like old computer disks have hazardous chemicals that can be hazardous to people, animals, and the environment. We must dispose of it responsibly and diligently. Thus, it is better to send your disk to recycling services so that it will be appropriately recycled if you opt for this option for your computer disks. You may also recycle your old computer for another use; Abtron Computer Services can do it for you. 

Achieve safe data disposal with Abtron Computer Services

Abtron Computer Services can provide the proper disposal of collected, used, transferred, or stored data. Here at Abtron, we got you covered and disposed of your data safely and properly. Also, we make sure to follow our strict data disposal process so that your data will remain private. We support recycling services; we also offer various asset customization that will match your industry requirements. 

We need to act now because we can't let our electrical devices sit idly in their place and collect dust. We can't let it be part of e-wastes and become a harmful contribution to landfills. Work with Abtron and be assured that you are practicing the proper disposal because Abtron has the appropriate step-by-step process in disposals. 

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