Recycle
Domestic Households
We are happy to assist domestic customers living in Northern Ireland, with the disposal of old computer equipment, free of charge. We also pay cash for modern laptops, netbooks & pc’s, working or broken.
I.T. Recycling – The environmentally correct disposal of unsaleable equipment.
We at NiPcFix aim is to stem the flow of electronic and computer waste designated for landfill sites in Northern Ireland. We aim to firstly re-use, recycle and recover these wastes where possible, and where not possible minimise the risks and impacts to Northern Ireland’s environment associated with the disposal of end-of-life electrical and electronic equipment. NiPcFix complies to all current EEC disposal guide lines.
DISPOSAL GUIDE
When selling and disposing of the old and unwanted computer equipment within your organisation, it doesn’t seem at first that there are many things to consider, other than finding someone who would pay the highest price to take them away, or consign some of them to server duty. But the recent fall in new equipment prices, the rising costs of land fill tax, the enormous volumes of unwanted PC equipment, the Data Protection Act and increasing EEC legislation over ecological disposal has radically changed the way that we must all view the situation regarding PC disposal.
As a result, it should come as no surprise to anyone to learn of the rocketing costs of disposal as legislation and taxation is introduced. Disposing of equipment by selling it on is becoming less and less likely because of the amount needing spending on the collection and decommissioning of equipment. Where once there was a residual value, there is fast becoming a residual disposal cost.
Did you know that in a recent report from consultants, the Gartner Group, the true cost of disposing of an unwanted PC was reported to be up to £150 per PC? There are many far more important things and costs to think about these days than simply achieving the highest bid, such as the collection costs, the erasure of data from the hard drive.
COLLECTION & HANDLING
Collections are made by our own staff in our own vehicles always at the convenience of the customer. Our drivers are always smart and courteous and will quietly and politely carry out the collection of the old equipment.
SAFE DATA REMOVAL
One of the greatest concerns people have when disposing of their old computer equipment is the removal of the very personal data contained on them. The dangers of not properly erasing the hard drives can open up the possibility of unwelcome publicity and even prosecution either under the Software Copyright Act or Data Protection Act 1984. But how can you ensure that the data has been deleted? The DOS and Windows command to delete files do not delete the data from your disk. They merely delete their own record of the fact that the area of the disk they occupy is unavailable to other uses. To do this, it merely unlinks the file in its File Allocation Table (FAT) by changing the first character of its name to a special byte.
Consequently, the undelete commands merely have to change the character back to restore the data, as is amply demonstrated retrieving deleted files from the Windows recycle bin. Contrary to popular belief, formatting a drive does not affect the disk data as the command merely formats a new file record for that logical drive. The only way to irretrievably destroy data, without physically destroying the whole disk, is by multiple overwriting of the data under an American military standard known as DOD 5220.22-M. This generates and records random characters across the whole of the drive surface and thereby obliterates all data and resets file sizes to zero. All working hard drives received by NiPcFix are erased using the above standard. Non working drives that cannot be powered up to receive multiple overwriting are destroyed physically before delivery to a scrap metal recycling plant, we also offer a third option of complete drive destruction regardless of condition (as per customer requirements).
What is the Data Protection Act?
Following on from the original 1984 Act is the latest 1998 updated Act which came into force during 1999. This makes it a legal requirement to take appropriate security measures against unauthorised access to, alteration, disclosure or destruction of personal data and against accidental loss or destruction of personal data. Failure to comply can lead to enforcement action by the Data Protection Registrar as well as possible compensation claims from individuals through the courts. Dumping on the cheap is risky ! Could you take the risk of any data “EVER” stored on any of your computers or media ( including Floppy Disks / DAT tapes / CDR / CDRW etc.. ) becoming available to anybody else ?
RECYCLING
The last thing any of our customers wants is for anything of their equipment turning up on a landfill site or at a car boot sale prominently identified as once belonging to them. That is why we go to great lengths to ensure that unsaleable or unrepairable items are disposed of in a responsible and acceptable manner.
COSTS & CHARGES
Our method of charging: Valuation is simple yet advantageous to the customer. We ask for a list of the displaced equipment, if available. This is then valued by us with some items having a residual value and some having a disposal cost. By deducting the residual value from the total disposal costs, a negative or positive amount is arrived at and an invoice or credit note raised. Whether a one off collection or an ongoing long term contract, accounts are settled on a monthly basis. The old equipment is resold or recycled depending upon any residual value it may retain. Where possible, equipment is refurbished, (or merely cleaned) repaired and resold in the UK. Sometimes, equipment requires upgrading to be resaleable such as having DVDRW drives and extra memory added. Where requested, schemes to resell the equipment back to a customer’s work force can be arranged at a very small nominal charge.
A brief overview of our services.
Collection
The collection, liaison and management of the whole disposal process, along with collection feedback and an in depth audit of the items collected if required.
Data
The confidential protection and erasure of propriety information and program software. Also available at a small extra charge is the certification, by individual drive, confirming data erasure, or for ultimate peace of mind, complete hard drive destruction (small charge applies). Remarketing The resale of equipment into the secondary marketplace with complete anonymity of the previous owner. This includes removal of all labels, asset tags and even etching.
Remanufacturing
The refurbishment and upgrading of equipment to make equipment more attractive and thereby easier for resale. We can also arrange for upgraded equipment to be resold at minimal charge to satisfy staff sale requests and return reconfigured items for use in other locations.
Parts Recovery
The disassembly of equipment to recover resaleable parts and components into the secondary market place.
Summary
If you would like NiPcFix to assist you in the disposal of IT equipment, please call 02890 299416 or 07719 231166.
