New Year, New Computer? How To Dispose of Old Technology

Are new desktop or laptop computers part of your strategic plan for 2022? Many individuals and organizations share feelings of uncertainty or ambiguity around the correct way to dispose of their old technology when they replace cell phones, laptops, and desktop computers, but Shred America is here to bring light to the subject. In this brief blog post, we'll discuss when technology becomes outdated, how to dispose of old technology safely and without risk to your personal information, business, or stakeholders, and how Shred America serves as an extension of your security team when it comes to technology destruction processes.

When Is Technology Old?

The answer to this question is multifaceted. There is no formula, but there are several factors you'll take into consideration when determining when it's time to replace computers at home or at work. Here are a few things to consider: 

  • old computers may become obsolete when new technology has come so far that old technology simply no longer meets your needs
  • old cellphones or computers may be obsolete when you're no longer able to find somebody who will repair or support it
  • technology can become obsolete when new programs are no longer compatible with it (i.e. your new version of Quickbooks can't even be installed or run on your old laptop)
  • technology is considered old when it becomes slow, inoperable, or irreparable. 

When technology becomes obsolete, it's just as important to dispose of it correctly and safely as it is to replace it with new technology that meets your needs.

Disposing Of Old Technology

Most individuals and businesses understand the importance of careful disposal of confidential documents; they work with professional shredding companies or have a paper shredder in their home office to prevent compromising confidential data. However, few people know that tossing old computers, cell phones, laptops, and tablets in the landfill can be likened to throwing confidential paper records in the trash. Hackers are able to access information on your hard drive - even if the machine was inoperable or the hard drive was disposed of separately - and use that information to harm you, your organization, or its stakeholders. You can prevent fraud by hiring a professional shredding company to destroy the hard drive(s) of old technology.

Contacting Shred America for Shredding Services

According to U.S. Identity Theft: The Stark Reality by the Aite Group, financial identity theft impacted nearly half of all Americans in 2020. If you're replacing technology in 2022, avoid becoming a statistic by utilizing professional hard drive destruction services. Whether you're wondering what to do with old technology, what to do with old computers, or what to do with old cellphones, we can help. With over eighty locations spanning from the East coast to the West coast, Veteran-owned Shred America provides a wide range of on-site and off-site shredding, document storage, and hard drive destruction services for individuals and businesses. Simply visit us online to get your free quote today; we're standing by and ready to help.