An old computer or laptop often ends up in the cellar or a cupboard, because it “seems a shame to throw away” and yet nobody uses it. But it can still be useful, both for the environment and for your wallet. If you have a device like this, we will gladly come and collect it.

Why not throw an old computer in the bin

Electronics do not belong in regular waste. They contain materials that can be put to good use again, as well as substances that harm the environment. Even a non-working computer holds usable parts: memory, drives, power supplies, fans, cables, sometimes even whole working components.

What we do with the computer

  • We come and collect it and take it away, so you do not have to transport it anywhere.
  • We reuse the usable parts - we test them and give them a second life in other repairs and builds.
  • We dispose of the rest in an eco-friendly way, as electronics should be handled.
  • If your data was on it, we make sure it is securely and permanently erased.

Mind your data: formatting is not enough

This is the most commonly underestimated point. When you simply format a drive or delete files into the recycle bin, the data does not physically disappear. The operating system only marks the space as free and the original content stays there until something overwrites it. Commonly available recovery tools can then pull back invoices, contracts, passwords saved in the browser and photos.

For secure and permanent removal there are two reliable routes:

  • Securely overwriting the whole drive (a wipe), which overwrites the original content so it can no longer be recovered.
  • Physically destroying the medium if the drive is at the end of its life, which is the safest option for sensitive business data.

With SSD drives, classic overwriting used on older spinning hard drives (HDD) is not enough, because an SSD moves data around internally. Here the built-in Secure Erase command or hardware drive encryption is reliable. We wrote more about drive types in how to choose a drive. We will take care of the right procedure for you.

Not every old computer should go straight to recycling. It is worth distinguishing:

  • A working and still usable computer or laptop is worth donating or selling (only after securely erasing the data). It will still serve well for office work, teaching or as a backup machine.
  • A non-working or very outdated unit is better to recycle and reuse the usable parts.

Where to hand in e-waste

E-waste must not be thrown in the regular bin; in Slovakia this is governed by the waste act. The options for handing it in are:

  • Collection yards in towns and municipalities, where e-waste is usually taken free of charge.
  • Take-back when buying a new device - the seller is obliged to take back an old device of the same type (one-for-one).
  • Collection points and e-waste containers operated by authorised companies.

A computer also contains valuable raw materials (copper, aluminium, small amounts of gold and silver in the contacts) that can be recovered, as well as hazardous substances (lead, mercury in older backlights, batteries) that harm the environment. That is exactly why it belongs in proper recycling and not in a landfill.

The GDPR angle for businesses

For businesses, secure data erasure is also a legal obligation. If the device held personal data of customers or employees, GDPR requires it to be permanently removed on disposal. A data leak from a poorly disposed drive can mean a fine as well as reputational damage. That is why it makes sense to have a clear procedure and a record of erasure when retiring equipment.

How this helps you too

And now the best part. Because the usable components go on to be reused, we can push repair prices for our other customers down to a minimum. We can fix some small fault with a tested spare part for a fraction of the cost of a new one. You get rid of the old hardware, the environment gets less e-waste and someone else’s repair comes out cheaper.

Get in touch and we will come and collect it

If you have an old computer, laptop or other electronics at home or in your business that you no longer need, let us know. We will arrange a time, come and collect it and take care of the rest. Simply, sustainably and worry-free.

This article is part of our Repair and maintenance overview.