Solutions for Common Problems



Tips & Tricks


How do I recycle my computer ?

Before you take your computer to a recycling center please ensure that you have wiped your personal data from the hard-drive.

Proper disposal of bank statements, personal identification numbers, and other sensitive information requires shredding. The same principle holds true for the disposal of digital data.

For your own personal security, you need to take adequate steps to ensure that no private data remains on your electronic products prior to donation or return to a collection site.

Methods of Data Deletion:

Hard Drive - Data Wiping
Pressing the delete key on your computer does not necessarily mean that information on your hard drive is permanently deleted. Traces of documents or files can potentially be recovered unless they are completely rendered unreadable by wiping or destroying the hard-drive.

You can safely wipe your hard-drive using a piece of software called DBAN - www.dban.org. It is a self-contained boot disk that securely wipes the hard disks of most computers.
Hard Drive - Physical Destruction
If you want to have your hard drive physically destroyed you can take it to Asset Investment Recovery a division of Procurement and Supply Services, BC Ministry of Labour and Supply Services, who provides this service to the general public. Asset Investment Recovery has two media shredders in Victoria and operate drop off locations in Surrey, Prince George and Victoria.

The hard drives need to be removed from the computer towers before they are brought into the Asset Investment Recovery sites. More information and pricing can be found at: pss.gov.bc.ca/air/media-destruction-general-public.html

Where do I recycle my computer?

You can drop off your computer for recycling at any of the Encorp Return-it center. Check their website for a location near you: www.encorp.ca