Ready for some scary information regarding computer usage and computer recycling? We’ve got you covered!

Believe it or not, if you are still regularly using a desktop PC, you’re not alone. While it may seem that laptops and tablets have pretty much swept away desktop computers, these trusty devices are still being used by millions. In fact, according to Google Analytics data, desktops were used for 35.7% of all website visits in the U.S. in 2020.

Although the numbers are shrinking, PCs and other desktop computers are still widely in use in America. According to Statista, as recently as 2019, over 47 percent of U.S. households had desktop computers.

And, for those who enjoy geeking out to statistics, DataReportal notes that,

“There were 298.8 million internet users in the United States of America in January 2021. The number of internet users in the United States of America increased by 11 million (+3.7%) between 2020 and 2021. Internet penetration in the United States of America stood at 90.0% in January 2021.”

But regardless of whether we use PCs, laptops, tablets, or simply our smartphones, they all have an end life and must be replaced eventually. This means we have to dispose of the old ones.

When It Comes to PCs and Laptops, Don’t Trash – Recycle

When you consider that we’ve been buying, using, and replacing desktops, then laptops, then tablets, and so on for more than 30 years now, that’s quite a lot of devices being thrown out. And the last place these electronic waste materials need to be is in a landfill.

This is why it is essential to recycle old computers!

Computer recycling is relatively easy today verse how things were just ten years ago, for example. Today there are several corporate and municipal programs across the country for recycling computers and other types of electronic waste, or e-waste. A quick search of “e-waste recycling near me” will usually bring you dozens of results, if not more.

However, it’s not simply a matter of finding a convenient and environmentally-friendly method of disposal. You should always take precautions beforehand to ensure you’re not also tossing out easily recoverable personal data and information.

Why is that? Because data pulled from old hard drives and personal devices like PCs often lead to identity theft. The good news is that it is relatively easy to protect your data from Identity theft.

There are many ways someone can illicitly recover your old data, even after you think you’ve handled your disposal safely. For example, dumpster diving may seem crude, and even a bit “old school,” but identity thieves employ all types of methods for finding and recovering tablets, laptops, and even old desktop computers that have been carelessly disposed of.

Making That Old PC Safe for Disposal

Stripping a computer of data can be somewhat difficult. However, for most users, there are additional steps they need to take to protect themselves and the environment.

When preparing a device for disposal, there are two main steps you want to do for successfully stripping your old computer. The first step involves creating a backup to avoid losing your files. You can then install or transfer this to a new device.

Second, you want to wipe out the hard drive using a secure method to make sure you’ve removed your personal information and applications beyond recovery.

Knowing how to wipe a hard drive clean depends somewhat on the type of device and which operating system your device is using. Here are steps for removing data from your system’s hard drive according to Norton:

Don’t just delete files from your computer

You might think moving your documents to the trash or recycle bin and then emptying these locations will permanently remove these files. Here’s the problem: This appears to delete the files but often leaves them where they were, merely hidden from view. Most data recovery programs – including those used by scammers and hackers — can recover these hidden files.

Use a program to wipe your drive

Special software programs can permanently erase your hard drive. If you use these programs, there’s little chance you’ll be able to recover your erased data. That’s good news: No one else can use data recovery software to recover your erased files.

Physically wipe your hard drive

If you want to double-ensure that your hard drive is clean, it’s time to take additional measures. An example? You can physically wipe the drive. Just remove your hard drive and take a rare earth magnet to it. A safer method? Use a screwdriver to dismantle the pieces of your hard drive to make it useless.

Do a fresh installation of the operating system

There’s another way to completely rewrite over your computer’s hard drive: You can complete a clean installation of the original operating system that came with the computer.

Computer Disposal Means Computer Recycling

Less than 20 percent of all electronic devices and equipment get recycled in the United States. And most of this e-waste, including computers, ends up in landfills or is incinerated. And this can lead to the release of toxic and even deadly materials. These include lead, mercury, or cadmium that can seep into the soil, groundwater, and atmosphere.

Fortunately, proper computer recycling removes that threat to our environment while providing enormous benefits for the economy.

One Wikipedia entry notes that,

“Electronic recycling occurs primarily to recover valuable rare earth metals and precious metals, which are in short supply, as well as plastics and metals. These are resold or used in new devices after purification, in effect creating a circular economy.”

Recycling computers allows firms to recover valuable natural resources, like silver and gold, which can be reused. And recycling computers can include much more than a CPU.

As one website points out,

“These items contain significant amounts of recyclable materials that will remain hazardous in landfills for years if not recycled. The glass monitor, keyboard, plastic or aluminum casing, cables, CD-ROM drive, ray tube, power cord, circuit board, batteries, and printer cartridges are all recyclable computer materials.”

But how do you go about getting your computer and other electronic waste recycled?

Well, you could go to your old desktop – if you haven’t wiped the hard drive already! – search for “junk removal near me” or even “junk removal in Fairfax.” However, an even easier step would be to call Junk King Fairfax.

Great Pricing for Electronic Junk Removal with Junk King Fairfax

At Junk King Fairfax, we excel at providing world-class customer service. That’s because, as the Number One rated junk removal company in North America, it’s simply part of what we do. And we also offer the best pricing for junk removal in our service area.

That includes Fairfax as well as all the other communities in the greater Capital area.

In addition, we provide you with several ways to get a free estimate:

• On-site: The most accurate way to get you a free, no-obligation on-site estimate.
• By Phone: Call 1-888-888-JUNK or live chat with our customer service representatives.
• By Text: Text a photo of your items to 737-888-5865, and we will text back an estimate.
• Online: Click the “Pricing” tab in the menu above. Scroll to “Pricing Estimator” and click the green “Launch Pricing Estimator” button.

Another secret to our great pricing is that we do not charge you by the weight of your load.

This is how many other companies in the junk removal industry do it. However, we know that this is an unfair approach for customers who have cumbersome junk items. In other words, a half-truckload of heavy appliances would cost you far more than a half-truckload of old cardboard, for example.

No worries! At Junk King, we only charge you for the amount of space your junk takes up in our truck. This means savings for you and simple, upfront pricing from us.

Computer and E-Waste Recycling Services in Fairfax with Junk Fairfax

If you want world-class, efficient, and eco-friendly junk removal services, then just call Junk King Fairfax.

Our professional and experienced junk removal team is here to help. We will quickly and safely remove and haul off any type of junk from your property (except hazardous waste). This includes old computers, laptops, and other electronic waste materials.

Junk King Fairfax is part of one of the largest and most respected junk removal firms in the country. We are proud to be a locally owned business and 100 percent veteran-owned. Along with maintaining a green and eco-friendly operation, our passion is to provide outstanding service to our neighbors living in and around the Fairfax area.

Our professional and insured junk hauling team will also call you 15 to 30 minutes before we show up at your location. Once we arrive, we’ll give you a free quote. This personalized quote is based on how much room your junk takes up in our truck.

You simply point, and we’ll load your old junk items into our large, clean junk removal trucks and haul them away – and all with no hidden fees!

So, ready to take care of that old computer recycling project? It’s as simple as 1, 2, 3. 

Just make an appointment with us by booking online above or calling us at 1.888.888.JUNK (5865).