Almost every household owns at least one computer set up or a laptop. And in just few years it will retire from its use and will be disposed of. This has heightened the volume of computer waste produced each year in Vancouver.

Old electronic devices such as computers are often being thrown away even if they are still working. Owners tend to eliminate those old items thinking that it will be useless to keep them. Why throw them away if you could recycle them and turn them into something useful? The recycling of computer waste is called Computer Disposal. There is numerous Computer Disposal company in Vancouver that exists nowadays. Companies that will help you recycle your old computer.

What is Computer Disposal?

The separation of parts or components of a computer can apply to any electronic device. It is often called E-waste Recycling. The main idea of recycling is not really about re-use, donation, and repair, but these are still the most typical ways of disposing of computer waste. Computer disposal includes data protection, series of disassembling processes and recycling. It is now a considered as a broad concept that need attention in almost any city especially in a well civilized or advanced cities. 

What is the proper procedure of Computer Disposal?

As compared to other wastes, computer disposal will require few more steps and sometimes require professional and technical knowledge. If you are planning to dispose of your old computer, make sure you follow these procedures: 

Backup Your Data

The first and most important thing to do is to make sure that you don’t delete your important files or data saved on your computer. You have to have an external hard drive where you can transfer all your files from the computer you want to dispose of. Back up every single file you want to save.

Wipe Your Hard drive

Deleting all the files from your computer may be more complicated than you imagined. You have to check that there will be no critical data to avoid data thieves from stealing those files. Here are some tips that you could follow in order to protect your data. 

• Delete your files - Simply emptying your recycling bin isn’t enough—the data might be removed from your file structure, but it’s still on your hard drive until it gets overwritten with more data.

• Unlink and uninstall all your programs – Having your programs linked in your online cloud backups is a good thing, but you can’t leave these programs on your computer to access your information. You have to unlink it first, then uninstall it.

• Clear your browser – The purpose of clearing your browser is to remove the access of information from the online website you logged in using your computer browser.



• Wipe and Restore Factory Settings – Restore your computer to its default factory settings, and delete all data and files from it using a hard drive erasing program; it will overwrite your old data. 

Donate, Resell or Recycle

After preparing your computer for disposal, it is your choice if you will donate, resell or recycle it. Donating your computer could a charitable for the people who need it. Many organizations provide old but still valuable computers. Reselling it will also be a good option if the computer is still in good condition. Recycling is an option if some parts of your computer are not functioning. Many places have local computer disposal stores, computer retailers that offer to recycle, or even trade-in services.

Now that your device is completely ready for disposal, you have to complete the last step to find where you can donate, resell or recycle it. For sure there will be a lot of results if you search for any Computer Disposal company in Vancouver.

Incorrect Beliefs and Myths about Computer Disposal

Technological advancements affect the amount of computer waste produced each year and also created new ways to handle this computer waste. Unfortunately, as technology advances, more and more incorrect beliefs and myths are created. Let us break the false beliefs and myths that you used to believe. 

Computer wastes end up in Landfills even if they undergo recycling in a facility.

The first incorrect belief that people usually believe is computer wastes will end up in the landfills even if they send it to recycling facilities. In reality, recycling facilities practice different waste management to prevent computer waste from ending up in landfills. Some of the recycling facility adoptions are refurbishing, collecting valuable metals and plastics that can be used for new computers.

Only large computers are worth recycling.

Another myth that people believe is that computer recycling is for businesses and not for household wastes. People usually think that small electronic devices and personal computers are not worth recycling. But to break that myth, personal devices, even small in size when they accumulate, will equate or even exceed the amount of electronic waste produced by different industries.

Vancouver’s computer recycling department will take care of it.

Your responsibilities in owning a computer and electronic devices do not end after you use them. It extends to the recycling or proper disposal of it. It is your responsibility to ensure that your waste will not add up to the landfills. Although computer disposal is also a priority in Vancouver, it will not be possible to cover all the electronic waste that the city produced.

The recycling of computer units is risky.

The most common misconception about recycling is that it is risky for your security, when in fact, it is the opposite. Recycling facilities prioritize your safety. They know how to eliminate your information so it will not end up to identity thieves. 

Computer waste will be shipped to another state or country.

People believe that wastes are just shipped to another state or country and will be dumped there. Although this is quite true, it is not ideal, and different states are practicing a stricter recycling practice to avoid shipping waste overseas.

Computer recycling is a waste of energy and money.

Computer recycling will cost you few bucks in order to do it successfully. Because of that, people think it is a waste of energy and time and do not see the value of computer recycling. Practicing proper computer disposal bears great significance for the environment and your security as well.

The recyclable materials on computer devices are too little to think of it.

Computer devices are composed of plastics and precious metals that are recyclable and can be reused. People think that the number of recyclable components inside a computer is too little to think of. However, it can add up quickly and size up to valuable amounts. With the amount of computer waste produced each year, the materials that will be recovered will save the natural resources and mines of the earth.

Computer wastes are not harmful.

The last common misconception about computer waste is that it is not harmful. Because people do not experience the direct effect, people think it is not detrimental to the environment and human health. In order to build a computer, it will require toxic materials, and these poisonous materials are proven to be harmful when contaminated to the environment. These materials will need proper handling and disposal to avoid adverse effects. 

Practice Proper Computer Disposal in Vancouver with Abtron

Are you looking for experts to entrust your electronic wastes? We at Abtron is willing to assist you. We value your privacy and security. And we also aim to protect the environment. In Abtron, we practice secure data destruction and safe computer disposal. No need to worry too much about your electronic waste because the experts will handle it for you. To know more about our services, connect with Abtron today!