Disposal of laptops

twinsister · ‎03-12-2010

I have two dead laptops and want to get rid of them. I know I just can't throw them in the trash. I called a local computer repair shop and asked if they could remove the har drive and destroy it with hammer in front of me. Depending on how hard it is to retrieve the hard drive, the cost will be between $50-100 per laptop. Am I getting ripped off? Any other suggestions?

FranandZoe · ‎03-09-2010

Do it yourself.

I recently removed the hard drive from an old computer tower and smashed it with a hammer. Then took the. tower to an electronics recylcing place.

Google your brand/model of laptop for how to remove the hard drive.

twinsister · ‎03-12-2010

@FranandZoe - thanks, I will try that.

I am still oxox · ‎03-09-2010

I wiped the memory on my old Mac and gave to it Charity

Stop being afraid of what could go wrong and start being positive what could go right.

Kachina624 · ‎03-10-2010

@I am still oxox. Experts say wiping the memory is not sufficient as information can still be retrieved from the hard drive. That's why people remove and physically destroy it.

New Mexico☀️Land Of Enchantment

I am still oxox · ‎03-09-2010

@Kachina624 wrote:
@I am still oxox. Experts say wiping the memory is not sufficient as information can still be retrieved from the hard drive. That's why people remove and physically destroy it.

@Kachina624 It was a work computer did not contain any personal information

Stop being afraid of what could go wrong and start being positive what could go right.

SilleeMee · ‎05-22-2016

After you remove the drives then you can take them to Best Buy and they will recycle them for free (free for up to 5 laptops).

JanetsGirl · ‎04-01-2010

You can recycle any electronic device at an Apple Store. Apple will recycle any electronic device for free; it does not have to be an Apple device. If you are recycling an Apple device, Apple may give you some store credit for the recycled item. I have taken several non-Apple devices to my local Apple Store for free recycling.

gaga · ‎11-24-2013

I remove the hard drives & drill a whole with a steel bit into them. Staples recycles desktop, towers & laptops.

Tinkrbl44 · ‎08-23-2010

@FranandZoe wrote:
Do it yourself.

I recently removed the hard drive from an old computer tower and smashed it with a hammer. Then took the. tower to an electronics recylcing place.

Google your brand/model of laptop for how to remove the hard drive.

Is it recommended .. or common ... to smash a laptop with a hammer? I doubt it removes what's in the memory.