Does my tech have to be in working order to be donated to Tech-Takeback?
No. Tech-Takeback accepts unwanted tech in any condition. The reason for this is that at Tech-Takeback, we love the environment and want to preserve it for the benefit of future generations – for tech our primary aim is reuse, followed by recycling and as a last resort safe destruction. We, therefore, focus on safe, secure and sustainable ways to enable you to dispose of your unwanted tech. Tech-Takeback’s mission is to increase reuse of old tech – we will take your broken and your working unwanted tech and safely erase the data on data-bearing items and then focus on enabling it to have a second life (if feasible). If the item really is at the end of its useful life, we will ensure that it is responsibly recycled or safely physically destroyed as appropriate.
What items can i donate?
You can donate any unwanted tech, data-bearing or otherwise. Please do not worry about how old the item is – all ages of tech are gratefully received. Also, it does not matter if it does not work – we have a plan for non-working items that involves the recycling of components and materials.
Before donating your old tech, please ensure that you have copied all data that you want to keep. Please provide the charger and cables for the device, as it will be much easier for us to give it a second life with these (if you have lost them we will still take your items). If you have a collection of random old cables and you are not sure where they have come from, then you can still donate them with or without the device.
Examples of items you can donate include -
Before donating your old tech, please ensure that you have copied all data that you want to keep. Please provide the charger and cables for the device, as it will be much easier for us to give it a second life with these (if you have lost them we will still take your items). If you have a collection of random old cables and you are not sure where they have come from, then you can still donate them with or without the device.
Examples of items you can donate include -
- PCs
- Tablets
- Laptops
- Hard drives
- CDs and DVDs
- Memory cards
- USBs and USB connected devices
- Mobile phones
- Smart phones
- Games consoles
- Printers
- Digital cameras
- Sat Navs
- Cables
I have other electricals to donate - what should i do?
If you have other small electricals, for example, kettles, toasters, hairdryer etc, you can either use our RevaluElectricals service and download The ZeroNet app to request a collection from your doorstep (free to residents of Brighton & Hove) or alternatively, if you do not wish to or are not able to use the app, please request a collection online or contact [email protected]. You can access a full list of currently accepted small electricals here.
Large WEEE or bulky electrical items can given away on Freegle.
For items not on our list that are broken, visit recycleyourelectricals.org.uk to find your nearest recycling point, or arrange a Bulky Waste Collection with Brighton & Hove City Council.
Large WEEE or bulky electrical items can given away on Freegle.
For items not on our list that are broken, visit recycleyourelectricals.org.uk to find your nearest recycling point, or arrange a Bulky Waste Collection with Brighton & Hove City Council.
Will Tech-Takeback save my files and return them to me prior to commencing the erasure of the data from my device?
No. At present, Tech-Takeback does not offer such a service. It is essential that you copy the files that you want to keep before you donate them to Tech-Takeback (either via a pop-up event or prior to us collecting them from you).
Copy the data onto your new PC, storage or back-up device. When using Tech-Takeback’s services you are confirming that you authorise Tech-Takeback to erase your data. Our licensed secure data erasure software will overwrite the data which means that it cannot be retrieved once the data erasure process has been completed. If the data erasure process fails, for example, due to bad sectors on the hard disk, a report alerts the data erasure specialist and the hard disk will then be safely physically destroyed (shredded so that the data cannot be retrieved).
Copy the data onto your new PC, storage or back-up device. When using Tech-Takeback’s services you are confirming that you authorise Tech-Takeback to erase your data. Our licensed secure data erasure software will overwrite the data which means that it cannot be retrieved once the data erasure process has been completed. If the data erasure process fails, for example, due to bad sectors on the hard disk, a report alerts the data erasure specialist and the hard disk will then be safely physically destroyed (shredded so that the data cannot be retrieved).
Why do I need the data on my hard drive or mobile device to be securely erased?
Can’t I just delete the data myself or take a sledge hammer to my hard drive or device?
Can’t I just delete the data myself or take a sledge hammer to my hard drive or device?
Deleting files does not delete the contents of the file (please see the explanation in the question below). Tempting though it may be on a bad day to take out your frustration on your old tech, unless you shred to small particles, it is possible that the data can be read by someone determined! Destroying the device or hard drive is not sustainable as it means the precious resources (eg aluminium and other precious metals) within the hard drive or device only have one opportunity for use; we want to give the tech a 2nd and if possible a 3rd life - which is why destruction is the last resort for Tech-Takeback and its passion for reuse. Physical destruction can only be securely achieved if a large mechanical machine shreds the disk into small particles of between 3 to 20 mm (depending on the confidentiality or classification of the data).
If I delete the files on my hard drive or mobile phone isn’t that sufficient?
Why do I need Tech-takeback’s data erasure service?
Why do I need Tech-takeback’s data erasure service?
Successful data erasure requires use of appropriate software, integrated processes and highly skilled professionals. Your hard drive is like a book that has a table of contents page and chapters (that is the files on your hard drive). When you delete a file, the entry is removed from the table of contents but the chapter is still in the book and the file can be found amongst the pages.
Data-wiping or data-erasure software overwrites the table of contents and the files but remnants of wiped files can still be found elsewhere on your hard drive. This is because when a file is retrieved from the hard disk it is stored in the RAM (Random Access Memory). Before you switch off your device, as the RAM needs a constant source of power, it passes the files back to the hard disk for storage. Files pass between the drive and the RAM continuously and this means that bits of the file will exist in different sectors of the disk, hence a simple file wipe will not delete all the data.
To ensure removal of all data, a full disk erase is required which consists of software overwriting every single byte of data on the hard drive with a random pattern of 1s and 0s. Data-erasure to a satisfactory standard to ensure the protection of your personal data is a complex process requiring the use of specialist software capable of detecting areas of the disk which are corrupted (known as bad sectors) which cannot be overwritten and of overwriting protected areas of the disk.
Free software does not have the sophistication to do this . Specialist software will report failure caused by bad sectors and the disk must then be physically destroyed (ie shredded). However, with our passion for reuse, the shredded material known as swarf, will be available for reuse by local artists.
Data-wiping or data-erasure software overwrites the table of contents and the files but remnants of wiped files can still be found elsewhere on your hard drive. This is because when a file is retrieved from the hard disk it is stored in the RAM (Random Access Memory). Before you switch off your device, as the RAM needs a constant source of power, it passes the files back to the hard disk for storage. Files pass between the drive and the RAM continuously and this means that bits of the file will exist in different sectors of the disk, hence a simple file wipe will not delete all the data.
To ensure removal of all data, a full disk erase is required which consists of software overwriting every single byte of data on the hard drive with a random pattern of 1s and 0s. Data-erasure to a satisfactory standard to ensure the protection of your personal data is a complex process requiring the use of specialist software capable of detecting areas of the disk which are corrupted (known as bad sectors) which cannot be overwritten and of overwriting protected areas of the disk.
Free software does not have the sophistication to do this . Specialist software will report failure caused by bad sectors and the disk must then be physically destroyed (ie shredded). However, with our passion for reuse, the shredded material known as swarf, will be available for reuse by local artists.
My unwanted tech is very old and I don’t think it works any more. Will Tech-Takeback still want it?
Yes. Tech-Takeback exists to breathe second life into unwanted tech and if this is not possible, components will be removed prior to responsible recycling. Our activities are based on circular economy thinking that aim to reduce unnecessary consumption of raw materials (and the tech they produce) and prioritises the repair, refurbishment and reuse of existing tech devices. If this cannot be achieved because a device has reached it's true end-of-life, we arrange the recycling of components and materials.
Is Tech-takeback’s data erasure service free to residents?
Yes.
At pop-up events for residents:
Free data erasure service using government approved methods. Once the data has been erased from all data-bearing devices received during the pop-up shop event that you attended, you will be sent a certificate of data erasure e-mail from Tech-Takeback confirming that data erasure or physical destruction has been completed. As you will see from our data erasure hierarchy, physical destruction is a last resort only but is required when the data erasure process fails. This can be due for example to bad sectors on a hard drive or physical failure of the drive mechanism and we are left with no option but to physically destroy the item by shredding it.
When Tech-Takeback collects from residents:
Free collection service for residents where Tech-Takeback has a funded arrangement with the Local Authority. Following data erasure at Tech-Takeback’s operations facility, residents can request a copy of their 'Certificate of Data Erasure' by contacting [email protected]. As above, in the event of failure of the drive mechanism preventing data erasure, the device will be physically destroyed. However, with our passion for reuse, the shredded material known as swarf, will be available for reuse by local artists.
At pop-up events for residents:
Free data erasure service using government approved methods. Once the data has been erased from all data-bearing devices received during the pop-up shop event that you attended, you will be sent a certificate of data erasure e-mail from Tech-Takeback confirming that data erasure or physical destruction has been completed. As you will see from our data erasure hierarchy, physical destruction is a last resort only but is required when the data erasure process fails. This can be due for example to bad sectors on a hard drive or physical failure of the drive mechanism and we are left with no option but to physically destroy the item by shredding it.
When Tech-Takeback collects from residents:
Free collection service for residents where Tech-Takeback has a funded arrangement with the Local Authority. Following data erasure at Tech-Takeback’s operations facility, residents can request a copy of their 'Certificate of Data Erasure' by contacting [email protected]. As above, in the event of failure of the drive mechanism preventing data erasure, the device will be physically destroyed. However, with our passion for reuse, the shredded material known as swarf, will be available for reuse by local artists.
Is Tech-Takeback’s data erasure service free to businesses?
No. Tech-Takeback offers a range of services designed to meet the needs of businesses and that comply to the requirements of the Government Data Protection Regulations (GDPR) that came into force in May 2018. See our Business Services for further information and use the Business Contact Form to receive a personalised quotation.
Where can I dispose of Waste Electronic and Electrical Equipment (WEEE)?
In November 2020, Tech-Takeback launched its small electricals collection service, known as RevaluElectricals. This service is accessed via The ZeroNet app. If you are unable to download the app, please book a collection here.
Large WEEE or bulky electrical items can given away on Freegle.
For items not on our list that are broken, visit recycleyourelectricals.org.uk to find your nearest recycling point, or arrange a Bulky Waste Collection with Brighton & Hove City Council.
If you have questions, please contact [email protected]
Large WEEE or bulky electrical items can given away on Freegle.
For items not on our list that are broken, visit recycleyourelectricals.org.uk to find your nearest recycling point, or arrange a Bulky Waste Collection with Brighton & Hove City Council.
If you have questions, please contact [email protected]
Can I just take my old tech to the tip (household waste recycling centre)?
Unwanted electricals dropped off at the household waste recycling centre is treated as waste which means that the materials in the equipment will not be reused but will be recycled. Whilst recycling is better than landfill, we would like the opportunity to give the tech a second life. Based on Tech-Takeback’s 3Rs hierarchy - Reuse is preferable to Recycling. Tech-Takeback offers secure data erasure which is necessary prior to disposing of your data-bearing items.
What happens to the tech once it has been data erased?
All the goods are sorted and assessed for reuse. Once hard drives and devices are data-erased, along with all the other non-data-holding items, they are assessed to see if they could be refurbished (new operating systems loaded etc), repaired, and made available for reuse via our local redistribution partners (including Digital Brighton & Hove and Freegle Brighton) for the benefit of the digitally-excluded. We reach out to charities and local projects that may be able to make use of them (eg refugee, homeless, aged, youth, arts and other organisations). For unusable devices, components are sometimes wanted for upcycling and arts projects. If none of these options are viable then the goods are handed over for government-standard responsible WEEE recycling.
If you know of a local art or upcycling project that may be able to make use of old tech components or a charity that would like to access refurbished tech for the digitally-excluded, please contact us at [email protected].
If you know of a local art or upcycling project that may be able to make use of old tech components or a charity that would like to access refurbished tech for the digitally-excluded, please contact us at [email protected].
How should I prepare by tech for giving it to Tech-Takeback?
Regardless of the actions you take to prepare the tech, Tech-Takeback will always carry out secure data erasure on ALL data-bearing devices. It is important that you transfer any files that you want to keep. There is no chance of restoring the data once it has been securely data erased. Prior to giving us your tech, you will be asked to confirm that the tech belongs to you and that you give us permission to securely erase your data. Prior to handing tech to us, please ensure you have removed CDs, USBs, sim cards, memory cards etc that you want to keep – we will accept these but once again, they will be securely data erased or destroyed as appropriate. Check to see that you are not giving us any of your personal paperwork – if you accidentally give us personal paperwork it will be shredded on receipt.
