Just in time for Earth Day, the team at McClain Insurance Services is excited to host, for the second time, a free Electronics Recycling Event on Saturday, April 13th, 2013 from 10am – 2pm.
The event will be held at the McClain Insurance office at 10410 19th Ave SE in Everett, just South of Costco.
Electronics such as Computers, Laptops, TV’s, monitors and Cell Phones can be accepted and recycled free of charge. Items such as printers, VCRs, DVD players, stereos, small microwaves and various other household electronics that are NOT covered under the Washington State program will be accepted for a $5 fee.
If you are planning to recycle your old computer or laptop, there are certain steps you should take to ensure that your personal data is protected. Simply deleting the files on your desktop on in your “My documents” folder won’t do the trick! We’ve assembled a few steps you can take to get your computer ready for recycling.
Recycling a Computer
1. First, run a backup up of all the data on your computer or laptop. You may need to purchase an external hard drive, connect it, and run a full system backup. Before you proceed, double-check your backup to see that all the files are there.
2. When you’re ready to clean the data off your computer, keep in mind that dragging and dropping files into the Recycling Bin and emptying the bin won’t do the trick! Deleting may remove the files from visible areas, such your desktop or documents, but while files may be invisible and even inaccessible for your computer’s operating system after you delete them, traces of your information remain on the hard drive and may still be recovered with special software.
3. Also keep in mind that your computer not only saves the files you created, but also traces back to online interactions, such as your browsing history. Passwords, credit card numbers, or other sensitive information may have been tracked on your computer, in places that are completely obscure to you.
4. There are different ways and levels to wipe and overwrite your hard drive, but unless you invest in government security level software, there is a chance that your data will still be recoverable. The most cost-efficient method to ensure that all your data is destroyed, is to remove the hard drive from your computer or laptop, and destroy it physically with a hammer or by drilling holes in it.
E-Waste is a Washington State-approved electronics recycler and provides “Certificates of Destruction” upon request for a small fee.
Recycling a Cell Phone
1. Be sure to disconnect the cell phone service before recycling your phone.
2. Download and back up your personal information, photos, and friends’ data.
3. Delete all personal information on your cell phone. Try the “hard reset” or “factory reset”: Most devices will allow you to wipe all your personal data and memory off your phone.
4. After your’ done deleting the information, it’s not a bad idea to double-check your voicemail, address book, caller log, search history and downloads to make sure everything is cleared.