Disposal of ICT Equipment

New Hazardous Waste Regulations were due to come into force on 16 July 2005 which affect computer recycling. Computers and electronic equipment are now deemed to be hazardous waste and must be disposed of properly. In addition to the physical disposal of equipment, it is also necessary to ensure that any data stored on computers are removed and rendered irrecoverable.

You may be surprised to learn that deleting a file from your computer does not mean that it cannot be recovered again, even reformatting a hard disc does not mean that its contents cannot be recovered; many forensic software tools are available that can restore lost data. In order to avoid an inadvertent breach of the Data Protection Act, schools must ensure that all data is wiped from a computer before it is disposed of. The software used to erase data must render it unrecoverable.

Clearly school administration computers will contain personal data and information; it is also very likely that computers used in the classrooms will also contain personal details, pictures and photographs which ought to be safeguarded. Therefore you are advised to ensure that all computers that are either being disposed of, given away or sold to a new owner are irrecoverably wiped of personal data using the appropriate techniques and software tools. Commercial software should also be removed to avoid any breach of copyright.

Sandwell Council has approved Secure I.T. Disposals Ltd for the secure disposal and recycling of redundant computer equipment: Contact: 08707 271 578 or www.sitd.co.uk http://www.sitd.co.uk/. Please note that secure disposal an recycling companies will make a charge for their services.

Other companies that schools could use include:

http://www.green-computer-services.co.uk/