How to properly dispose of your electronic devices

After reading this article you will know how to:

• How to Clean Your Computer of Data
• Where and how  to get rid of it

While getting new electronics has become as easy as child's play, getting rid of old equipment can be more complicated than you imagined. That's why we've put together a comprehensive guide to properly disposing of your old, outdated computer equipment.

Clear data from your device

First of all, make sure you back up your data elsewhere: on an external hard drive, on another computer or in a cloud (like Google Drive, Dropbox or iCloud). Once this first step is completed, you will now need to move on to the most important step in terms of security: cleaning your devices.

To do this, you'll likely need to use an external resource, as this isn't a simple factory reset. Most operating systems have a built-in feature that allows for a factory reset. However, this type of reset doesn't completely erase your computer's data: it makes it invisible, not completely inaccessible. This means that someone with malicious intent could still access your data with the right tools.

To avoid this, it will be necessary to destroy your data .

As mentioned above, data destruction often requires the use of external resources such as computer programs or specialized companies. Whichever method you decide to use, it is important that you are provided with a certificate proving that your data has been destroyed.

The right method depends on the type of storage in your device:

• Traditional hard drives (HDD): specialized software can overwrite the entire disk so that the original data can no longer be read.
• Solid-state drives (SSD) and phones: overwriting is less reliable on this type of storage. Use the manufacturer's secure erase tool, or make sure the device was encrypted before performing a reset, so that the remaining data is unreadable.
• Damaged or highly sensitive devices: physical destruction, such as shredding the drive, performed by a specialized company that issues a certificate of destruction.

Don't forget the less obvious devices: smartphones, tablets, USB keys, external drives, old servers and even multifunction printers and copiers, many of which contain internal storage that keeps copies of scanned or printed documents.

Get rid of the device

Now that your computer has been safely cleaned, you can dispose of it, but be careful, not just anyhow or anywhere! To minimize the environmental impact that disposing of electronic equipment can have, we suggest you follow these 3Rs: reuse, recondition, recycle.

What to do with old electronic devices?

1. Reuse

• Internally, by assigning your equipment for teleworking, for example.
• Externally, we donate your devices to organizations such as OPEQ or Insertech .

2. Recondition

With the "trade-in" programs offered by Best-Buy, Bureau en Gros or even Apple, which will take back your computer equipment for a sum of money.

3. Recycle

Thanks to the program set up by the ARPE-Québec association. There are therefore several options available to you for getting rid of your electronic equipment depending on its condition, its age and also your needs.

Checklist before letting a device go

Before a business device leaves your premises, go through these steps:

1. Back up any data that needs to be kept and confirm the backup is readable.
2. Sign out of and remove accounts: email, cloud storage, Apple ID or Google account. On phones and laptops, disable activation locks so the next user can set up the device.
3. Remove the device from your device management tool and free up any software licenses tied to it.
4. Take out SIM cards, memory cards and any removable media.
5. Erase or destroy the data using a method suited to the storage type, and keep the certificate.
6. Update your asset inventory with the date, the method used and where the device went.

Common mistakes to avoid

• Relying on deleting files or emptying the recycle bin. Deleted files can often be recovered with readily available tools.
• Storing old equipment indefinitely in a closet. Forgotten devices still hold data and can be lost or stolen.
• Throwing electronics in the regular trash. Electronic waste should go through an approved recycling program.
• Forgetting your legal obligations. In Quebec, Law 25 requires businesses to destroy or anonymize personal information once it is no longer needed for the purpose it was collected for. Secure disposal of devices is part of meeting that obligation.

Nexxo supports you in renewing your IT equipment

You now have all the keys in hand to properly get rid of your electronic devices, all you have to do is sort them out! Do not hesitate to contact us to assist you throughout this process: from data destruction to device collection and the purchase of new equipment.

If you'd rather not manage these steps yourself, our managed IT services can take care of the full lifecycle of your equipment, from purchase and deployment to secure retirement.

About Nexxo

Nexxo Solutions informatique is a company specializing in providing IT and technology services to Quebec businesses. Its mission is to offer Quebec companies IT services tailored to their needs. Acting as an external IT department, it handles all of a company's IT tasks, allowing it to focus on its business activities. It achieves this by collaborating closely with its clients and putting their interests at the center of its concerns.