Kept separate
On arrival, we set all storage devices aside. Each device is registered individually.
Data security
Hard drive destruction or wiping, with a certificate for every drive
We collect the hard drives and other storage devices from your business free of charge. Specialist, certified partners wipe or destroy them.
- Free for businesses. No minimum, no weight limit.
- A proposal within 1 working day
- Certificate with the serial number of each drive
- Across the Netherlands, working or broken
You’ll speak with Bob or Sam. +31 6 48 78 78 90
[ 01 ] Erasure or destruction
Wiping or destroying a hard drive: the difference
There are two safe routes. Which one fits depends on the drive.
| Erasure | Destruction | |
|---|---|---|
| Method | Specialist software makes all data unreadable. | The drive is shredded. |
| Standard | NIST SP 800-88 | DIN 66399 |
| For | Working drives that can be reused. | Broken drives, or when wiping is not a responsible option. |
| Afterwards | The drive gets a second life. | The remaining material is processed in line with WEEELABEX. |
| On your certificate | Erased | Destroyed |
Both routes are handled by specialist, certified partners.
Read: wiping or destroying a hard drive (Dutch)[ 02 ] The route
Data destruction in four steps
Erased or destroyed
Where possible, specialist, certified partners securely erase or physically destroy the storage devices.
Documented
For each device, we record what happened to it. That way, everything can be traced afterwards.
Your certificate
You receive the certificate by email, for your own records.
[ 03 ] The certificate
A data destruction certificate listing every serial number
After processing, you receive a certificate by email. It shows what happened to each storage device. For example during an audit or in your record of processing activities.
For each storage device, it lists:
- the type (HDD or SSD)
- the serial number
- the processing: wiped or destroyed
The example is filled in with made-up details.
[ 04 ] What we take
Which storage devices do we take?
Anything that can hold data. Working or broken.
Would you rather remove the drives yourself? That is always fine. Just mention it with your photo.
We confirm in advance what we will take and how the storage devices will be processed.
- Loose hard drives (HDDs) and SSDs
- Drives in laptops and desktops
- Drives in servers
- Phones and tablets
We take the rest of your hardware too.
[ 05 ] Standards
Which standards are used for wiping and destruction?
Our processing partners work to recognised standards. These are our partners' standards, not a Drive4Recycle accreditation.
- NIST SP 800-88Secure erasure
The US NIST guideline for secure erasure of storage media, used worldwide. For drives that get a second life.
- DIN 66399Physical destruction
The German standard for shredding storage devices, with defined particle sizes for each security level.
- ISO 27001Information security
The standard for the management system our processing partners use to handle confidential data.
- WEEELABEXE-waste processing
The European standard for responsible processing of electronic waste that can no longer be reused.
[ 06 ] Do it yourself?
Destroying a hard drive yourself? Here is why we advise against it.
Many businesses try it themselves first. These are the familiar methods, and what they miss.
| Method | Does it work? |
|---|---|
| Deleting files or formatting | No. The data can often be recovered. |
| Drilling or hitting with a hammer | Partly. Parts of the drive can remain readable. |
| Submerging in water | No. The drive breaks, but the data does not always go. |
| An ordinary magnet | No. It does not wipe a modern hard drive. On an SSD it does not work at all. |
None of these four gives you proof afterwards. A certificate listing every drive does.
Read: clearing a computer before disposal (Dutch)[ 07 ] Costs
Having hard drives destroyed: what does it cost?
Collection is free for businesses. No minimum, no weight limit.
We confirm the method and any costs for wiping, destruction and the certificate in advance. You know what to expect before anything happens.
If your hardware raises money, a share agreed in advance goes to Stichting KEI Rijswijk.
Frequently asked questions
Questions about hard drive destruction
If it still works and can be reused, have it wiped. If it is broken, have it destroyed. As a business, always ask for a certificate as proof.
Do not throw a drive away while the data is still on it. Have it wiped or destroyed by a certified party first. We collect drives from businesses. You receive a certificate with the serial number of every drive.
No. Water breaks the drive, but the data may remain. Choose secure wiping or physical shredding.
Deleting files or formatting is not enough. A working drive can be wiped with specialist erasure software in line with NIST SP 800-88. If it no longer works, physical destruction is the safe route.
That depends on the drive. If it can be reused, it is wiped. If it is broken or wiping is not a responsible option, it is destroyed. Your certificate shows what happened to each drive.
Of course. Let us know when you get in touch and we will take it into account when we collect.
No. We only collect from businesses and organisations.
How to get started
Drives collected, proof documented.
Send a photo of what you have. Within 1 working day you will receive a proposal: what we will take and what will happen to the storage devices.
You’ll speak with Bob or Sam. +31 6 48 78 78 90