Hard Drive Destruction

What is hard drive destruction?

Shred-it hard drive destruction is the secure process of permanently removing access to data stored on a hard disk drive through physical destruction outside of data erasure, formatting, and overwriting. Shred-it uses either shearing or crushing methods, depending on location.

Crushing applies 7,500 pounds of force to punch holes through the hard drive, damaging the internal platters that store data.

Shearing uses 40,000 pounds of force to slice the drive into small pieces, destroying all components.

With both methods, the data stored on the drive is rendered unrecoverable.

How do I need to prepare my materials for hard drive destruction?

Hard drives, whether hard disks or solid state drives, must be removed from computers and electronic devices prior to destruction. Shred-it does not accept e-waste such as computers, monitors, consumer electronics, or other electronic components for recycling or disposal.

Does Shred-it destroy other forms of digital media?

We destroy a wide range of digital and optical media (such as CDs, DVDs, and Blu-Ray). Please contact your local sales representative to see if we can meet your media destruction needs.

Why should I use a professional hard drive destruction service instead of doing it myself?

Choosing a professional hard drive destruction service offers greater security, consistency, and compliance compared to DIY methods. Services like Shred-it follow strict security protocols and use industrial-grade equipment to physically destroy drives, making data recovery virtually impossible. This is especially important for businesses subject to regulations such as the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA), which require proper disposal of electronic protected health information (ePHI).

In addition to reliable destruction, professional services include documentation and a Proof of Service, providing confidence that your data was disposed of responsibly and in line with regulatory requirements. DIY methods often lack this level of assurance and may carry risks if not done properly.

How soon can you come to clear out my hard drives?

We offer flexible scheduling for hard drive destruction services. Depending on your location and the volume of drives, we can often provide service within a few business days. For the most accurate availability, please contact your local Shred-it representative to arrange a convenient time.

Does Shred-it provide boxes and bins to pick up our hard drives?

Yes. We can handle the removal of your hard drives for you, or provide secure containers so you can fill them at your own pace and schedule a pick-up at your convenience. Please contact your local sales representative to see if we can meet your hard drive destruction needs.

What happens to the hard drives once they are destroyed?

After a hard drive is physically destroyed using crushing or shearing methods, the data stored on it is rendered unrecoverable. The remaining material is then transported to a recycling facility, where the remaining components are separated and processed for recycling.

How long does the hard drive destruction service take?

The duration of the service depends on the number of hard drives and the destruction method available at our location. Most services can be completed quickly and efficiently on the scheduled day.

Why should I securely destroy my hard drives?

Hard drives may contain potentially sensitive, confidential, or proprietary information. Simply deleting files or reformatting a drive doesn’t guarantee data removal. Secure destruction ensures that no data can be recovered or misused, protecting your business, customers, and brand reputation. It also supports compliance with data protection regulations.

How do you dispose old hard drives at Shred-it?

Shred-it follows NAID AAA-certified protocols to maintain optimal data security. Depending on the location, we use either crushing or shearing technology to destroy hard drives. Both methods make the data completely irretrievable. The destroyed hard drive fragments are then sent to an authorized recycler to minimize electronic waste.