Answers to common questions about planning secure disposal of drives, devices and confidential documents. The method, records and timing for a job must be agreed for the actual materials and location.
What information should I send for a quote?
Tell us the types and approximate quantities of drives, devices or documents, the collection postcode, and whether you want on-site or off-site handling. Mention access restrictions and any record or witness requirement. Send the details through our contact form; we will confirm which service is available.
Do I have to know every device serial number before contacting you?
No. An approximate count is enough for an initial enquiry. If your organisation needs an itemised record, say so before booking and agree when identifiers will be captured and how discrepancies will be handled.
Can hard drives and confidential paper be discussed in one enquiry?
Yes. List them separately, including approximate volumes. Different materials may require different handling, methods and records, so we will confirm a suitable arrangement for the actual batch. See hard drive shredding and paper shredding.
What is the difference between data erasure and physical destruction?
Erasure aims to prepare suitable storage for reuse after an appropriate process and verification. Physical destruction makes the media unusable. The choice depends on the device, intended destination, policy and whether the result can be checked. Our comparison guide explains the planning questions.
Can an SSD be degaussed?
Degaussing acts on suitable magnetic media. An SSD uses flash memory, so degaussing is not a suitable method for its storage. Agree an SSD-specific erasure or destruction route based on the device and its intended destination. See SSD destruction.
Does deleting files or formatting a drive securely dispose of its data?
Ordinary deletion and formatting do not by themselves demonstrate that data has been dealt with. Use a method appropriate to the storage type and keep the verification or destruction evidence your organisation needs. See data erasure for reusable equipment.
What if a drive or device will not power on?
Keep it in the inventory and flag it as an exception. A failed device may be unsuitable for a planned software erasure, so its treatment must be agreed separately. Do not record an unsuccessful erasure as complete.
Do phones and tablets need special preparation?
Tell us the models, quantities, condition and whether any device is managed, locked, leased or intended for reuse. Batteries and embedded storage affect the handling method. We will confirm what preparation is needed for the proposed service; do not remove components or assume whole-device shredding is available. See mobile device data disposal.
Can you handle backup tapes, USB drives and optical discs?
Include the format and approximate count of each type when you enquire. These media differ in construction, and old tapes may be subject to retention requirements. Check that disposal is authorised before handing them over. See storage media destruction and our backup tape guide.
What records should we request for a destruction job?
Decide whether you need a collection receipt, batch count, asset or serial number list, processing method, completion date, or other specific evidence. Availability varies with the service, so agree the record in advance and reconcile it with your release inventory. See our guide to destruction records.
Does a certificate by itself establish UK GDPR compliance?
A certificate can help document a particular disposal step, but your organisation still needs an appropriate policy, authorisation, secure handling and records suited to the personal data and risk. Ask what the certificate actually identifies rather than relying on a generic compliance claim.
How long will collection and processing take?
It depends on the location, quantity, material and chosen method. Tell us your deadline and any restricted site hours. We will confirm the schedule and when the agreed records can be supplied before the job is booked.
What affects the price?
Media type, quantity, whether drives must be removed from equipment, collection location, access, on-site requirements and the level of evidence can all affect a quote. See our quote factors guide and send the details for an actual price.
Can schools or organisations with several sites use one plan?
Yes. A common inventory format and a contact at each site make collection and reconciliation easier. Confirm each site’s access rules and who can authorise release. Our multi-site school guide gives a starting checklist.
For a specific project, tell us what you need to clear and we will confirm the available service.
Further reading: ICO guidance on asset management and disposal records and NIST media sanitization guidance.