Were you one of the lucky few who got a new PC or laptop for Christmas? Electronic gadgets are always top of the Christmas list and thought the festive season long gone there’s a high chance your old machine is still hanging around cluttering the place up. The last thing you want is to keep it there forever, you’ve already decided you don’t need it anymore so instead, recycle it and get some cash in the process.
Here are some tips to ensure you recycle your PC in an effective and eco-friendly way.
Recycle or Donate?
If the machine is still in decent working order you may decide it’s worth passing onto a friend or family member – perhaps an older relative who wants to get to grips with computers. If this doesn’t work for you or it’s broken beyond your means to fix then responsible recycling is the answer. Utilising a specialist IT and recycling company will ensure your machine is dealt with responsibly.
Don’t Forget those Files
For computers that are still working it’s worth remembering to back up. Copy all your valuable files onto Cloud storage, discs or USB pen drives. If the computer cannot be booted then consider removing the hard drive and seeing if a specialist can help you extract the files. Alternatively if there’s nothing you need then you can simply hand it over to your chosen recycling specialist.
Wipe your Drive
Once you’ve extracted the files you need it’s worth trying to wipe your drive as much as you possibly can. From a security perspective it’s essential you remove all your files – although it’s unlikely someone could try and boot up your computer at a later date and access all your data. Although you can do this yourself, reputable recycling companies like Buy IT Back will carry out full data erasure for your peace of mind and security.
Utilising a reputable recycling company will ensure your PC is treated in the way it deserves. Whether it’s refurbished for sale or broken down into recyclable parts you can be sure it has been recycled in the proper way and of course you’ll be recompensed for your donation.
