Hard Drive Destruction & Recycling Services

Hard drive destruction is essential for protecting sensitive information from being accessed after the device is no longer in use. Simply deleting files or formatting the drive does not completely remove the data. Physical destruction ensures that the data is irrecoverable, protecting against data breaches and identity theft.

1. Gather the hard drives you have to destroy. Contact Shred Nations by filling out the form or calling us at (800) 747-3365. We will get you free quotes on your project from multiple providers in your area. Depending on the size of your project, you will be given the option for mobile, off-site, or Ship N Shred services.

2. Choose the provider that best meets your needs and budget. 

3. You will be able to witness the destruction of your hard drives with mobile shredding, or they will be taken or shipped to a secure off-site facility.

4. After arriving at the facility, hard drives are destroyed using industrial shredders. To ensure compliance with EPA and state hazardous waste laws, providers finish by recycling the shredded hard drives.

5. Once the shredding is complete the process ends with you receiving a certificate of destruction. A certificate of destruction outlines the chain of custody and details what, when, and where hard drives were destroyed. 

Hard drives store a wide range of data, including financial information, personal identification details, confidential business documents, emails, and more. This data can be exploited if the hard drive is not properly destroyed.

On average, it costs between $7-$20 per hard drive. However, the price will depend on how many you have, the method you choose, your location, and other factors. The more hard drives you have to destroy, the price per hard drive will decrease so we recommend gathering as many as you can before scheduling a service.

Hard drive destruction is the only method that ensures your data is completely unrecoverable. In addition, all of our service providers meet or exceed all data privacy regulations. If would like to even witness the shredding, you can ask about our mobile services. Whichever method you choose, you will receive a certificate of destruction for your records when the process is complete.

You can watch the destruction process if you choose to destroy your hard drives with a mobile shredding service. However, you will have to confirm with your service provider what their truck can handle or has room for.

Ship ‘N’ Shred is a convenient solution for mail-back destruction services. Simply box your hard drives up, ship your media, and we will shred it all into tiny pieces. The chain of custody is documented throughout the whole process and you will receive a certificate of destruction when your hard drives have been destroyed and recycled. Learn more on Ship N Shred’s hard drive destruction page.

The frequency of hard drive destruction depends on the volume of data turnover and the type of information handled. Businesses should implement a regular data destruction policy based on their needs to ensure ongoing security.

While some methods like DIY hammering or drilling holes in a hard drive are possible, they may not ensure complete destruction of the data. Professional services use specialized equipment that guarantees secure destruction and provides a certificate of destruction for compliance and peace of mind.

A certificate of destruction is a formal document that provides details about the destruction of your hard drives and ensures the shredding process complies with all state and federal security laws. It includes details such as the transaction number, chain of custody, terms and conditions, collection date, location of the destruction, and more.

Look for providers who offer certified destruction services, follow industry standards, and provide a Certificate of Destruction. ShredTronics can help connect you with trusted local providers for secure hard drive and electronics shredding services.

The Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) helps regulate and protect protected health information (PHI). Covered entities must implement reasonable safeguards, limit incidental uses, and avoid prohibited uses and disclosures of PHI, including the proper disposal of this information.

The Gramm-Leach Bliley Act (GLBA) defines how financial institutions should handle and dispose of documents, including digital files, to protect their clients.

The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) and the Protection of Pupil Rights Amendment (PPRA) require information protection of all educational records and personal data.

The Fair and Accurate Credit Transaction Act (FACTA) requires anyone who uses information from any type of consumer report for a business purpose must dispose of the information securely and properly. Disposal must be sufficient enough so that the data can’t be reconstructed in any way.

The EPA’s Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA) regulates and requires safe destruction and management of hazardous waste. The RCRA imposes severe penalties for electronics disposal without a permit: 5 years in prison and/or up to $50,000 per violation day. For making the mistake twice, the penalties double.