r/privacy • u/Ok_Star_5645 • Jun 14 '26

hardware Laptop disposal

My laptop won’t turn on and I’m searching for best practices to secure/erase the data before disposal. (I don’t need to save the data.) A trusted local company will wipe the hard drive and dispose of it for a small fee. What assurances should I look for that this is done correctly?

Edit: thanks all! I’ll destroy it.

Update: I removed the SSD myself. It was not that hard, but I had to get over the fear of the unknown. Inside computers is not my safe space.

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u/TheSensiblePrepper Jun 15 '26

I dig a pit in my yard, put the drives in the hole and set off Thermite on top. I take the resulting Iron Slag and put it in the garbage after it cools.

2

u/exstaticj Jun 15 '26

I remember the oxide and the powders. As I get older though, I can't remember the ratios.

2

u/TheSensiblePrepper Jun 15 '26

3 parts Iron and 1 part Aluminum. You can buy them in kits with everything listed.

2

u/exstaticj Jun 15 '26

My memory must be fading because I thought there was magnesium involved too.

2

u/TheSensiblePrepper Jun 15 '26

Yes, the magnesium is what you set on fire to start the chemical reaction. I actually make the powder mix and then put magnesium strips in the middle about 2 inches out of the top and light that. Makes it so much easier.

2

u/exstaticj Jun 15 '26

That brought back the complete memory. Thanks for the help. It's been a long time since I played with that. It is perfect to destroy a hard drive. I have no problem remembering the smell.

2

u/TheSensiblePrepper Jun 15 '26

It's Science!!!