A Day in the Life of a Computer Recycling Business
Inside the World of Secure, Sustainable IT Disposal
At Fixed Asset Disposal, we live and breathe IT recycling. Every hard drive wiped, every data-bearing asset processed, and every kilogram of e-waste responsibly handled is a step toward a cleaner environment—and safer digital future.
But what does a typical day look like behind the scenes at a UK-based computer recycling business? What preparation goes into ensuring the secure, legal, and environmentally sound disposal of old IT equipment? And how do we keep data, people, and the planet safe along the way?
Let’s take you through a full day in the life of a professional computer and IT recycling operation.
7:30 AM – The Day Begins: Operational Briefing & Route Planning
The team arrives at our facility in the early hours, ready for a busy day of collections, data sanitisation, disassembly, and recycling.
Each morning kicks off with a team briefing, which includes:
Scheduled collections from schools, businesses, councils, or NHS trusts
Special instructions for any high-risk or sensitive data-bearing equipment
Health and safety checks for handling heavy or hazardous equipment
Vehicle assignments, PPE checks, and loading lists
Using specialist software, we optimise our collection routes and confirm Waste Transfer Notes (WTNs) for each stop—critical for compliance under the Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE) Regulations 2013.
8:15 AM – Loading the Vans: Tools of the Trade
Our vehicles are more than just transport—they’re mobile workstations equipped for secure IT collection.
Before departure, we prep:
Shockproof containers for fragile or high-value equipment
Lockable tubs for data-bearing items (hard drives, SSDs, servers)
Barcode scanners for logging serial numbers on collection
Fire-resistant safes for particularly sensitive devices
Spill kits and gloves for batteries or hazardous material
Lifting gear for safe loading of heavy items (e.g., photocopiers, battery backups)
Our vans are GPS-tracked and temperature-controlled where needed, ensuring complete traceability from the point of pickup to our processing centre.
9:30 AM – On the Road: Secure Asset Collection
The first stop of the day might be an office in Central London that’s recently upgraded all of its desktop PCs and servers.
On arrival, we:
Log each item using barcode scanners and tag them with our unique ID codes
Photograph the condition of each device for audit trails
Secure data-bearing items into tamper-proof containers
Issue a Duty of Care certificate and sign off the Waste Transfer Note with the client
For some clients, we offer on-site data destruction, such as mobile hard drive shredding or degaussing. This is especially popular with financial institutions or law firms that require proof of destruction before assets even leave the premises.
12:30 PM – Facility Arrival: Equipment Intake & Quarantine
Back at HQ, the collected IT equipment is unloaded and taken through our intake and quarantine process. Here’s where our meticulous data security and environmental protocols begin to shine.
Equipment is sorted by category:
PCs & laptops
Servers & networking gear
Monitors (flat panel vs CRT)
Storage devices
Peripherals (keyboards, mice, printers)
Hazardous or specialist items (UPS units, batteries, toner cartridges)
Each item is scanned again into our asset tracking system and assigned a processing status (e.g., data wipe, repair, recycle, resale).
Devices that are damaged, contain unknown data, or are flagged for destruction are sent to a secure quarantine area, which only authorised staff can access.
1:30 PM – Data Erasure: Protecting Privacy & Compliance
Next comes the most crucial part of the process—data destruction. At Fixed Asset Disposal, we never take risks with your data.
Depending on the device, we use one of the following certified methods:
🧼 Blancco or WhiteCanyon Software Wiping
We use government-approved software to overwrite drives to HMG Infosec Level 5 or NIST 800-88 standards, depending on the client’s requirement. This allows the drive to be safely reused while guaranteeing the data is unrecoverable.
🔧 Degaussing
For magnetic drives that aren’t going to be reused, we use a high-powered degausser to disrupt the magnetic fields and render the device inoperable.
🗑️ Physical Destruction
For damaged, legacy, or ultra-sensitive drives, we opt for crushing or shredding. Our hard drive shredder tears them into millimetre-sized fragments.
Once complete, a Certificate of Data Destruction is issued for each item—offering our clients full legal and GDPR compliance.
3:00 PM – Equipment Testing & Refurbishment
Not all IT assets are end-of-life. Many still have usable value and can be given a second life through our refurbishment programme.
Technicians carefully test:
RAM, CPU, and motherboard integrity
Battery health and screen condition
Keyboard and port functionality
BIOS and firmware security
Where possible, we upgrade components (e.g. swapping HDDs for SSDs, installing more RAM) to improve resale value. Machines that pass are reimaged with clean software and resold to businesses, schools, or charities.
Anything that fails QA is stripped for parts or recycled.
4:00 PM – Dismantling & Component Recovery
Next, our dismantling crew steps in. Devices that can’t be reused are manually disassembled into recyclable components.
We separate:
Plastic and metal casing (sent to general recycling)
Circuit boards and chips (processed for precious metal recovery)
Cables and wiring (copper extraction)
Displays (safely removing mercury or other hazardous materials)
Batteries (sent to hazardous waste processors)
By separating each component, we maximise resource recovery and reduce what ends up in landfill.
Our facility is fully licensed by the Environment Agency, and we maintain detailed records of how every item is processed in compliance with ISO 14001 and ISO 27001.
5:30 PM – Reporting, Certification & Customer Updates
Before we clock off, there’s still work to be done behind the scenes.
Our office team prepares:
Asset tracking reports
Certificates of data destruction
Recycling audit trails
Carbon savings estimates for ESG reporting
Client feedback forms to maintain high standards
We pride ourselves on full transparency—from point of pickup to final processing.
Many clients, especially in the public sector, require a full audit log for compliance or internal reporting. Our digital portal allows them to download certificates, collection records, and sustainability reports anytime.
6:00 PM – End of Day: Cleaning & Prep for Tomorrow
As the day winds down, we clean the workstations, calibrate shredding and diagnostic machines, and restock tools ready for another day.
All hazardous material is secured in locked storage, vans are reloaded for morning routes, and the building goes into night-security mode.
Our work might be done for today—but the mission continues.
Safety and Preparation: What Happens Before Recycling Can Begin
You’ve seen how the day unfolds, but it’s worth diving deeper into the behind-the-scenes prep and safety protocols that make computer recycling safe, legal, and secure.
🔐 1. Data Security Protocols
Before touching any data-bearing item, we:
Isolate and log the asset
Assign it a chain-of-custody tag
Store it in restricted-access areas
Enforce strict GDPR handling policies
No device enters the data destruction process without first passing through access control and audit documentation.
🧯 2. Health & Safety Measures
Handling IT waste involves risks: sharp metals, hazardous chemicals, heavy lifting, and fire-prone batteries.
We ensure:
PPE is worn at all times (gloves, goggles, anti-static gear)
Heavy lifting is done with mechanical aids
Lithium-ion batteries are separated and cooled
First aid and fire extinguishers are accessible in all zones
Regular safety audits and training are conducted
📋 3. Legal Compliance
Every part of our process is aligned with UK laws and international standards:
WEEE Regulations 2013
Environmental Protection Act 1990
Data Protection Act 2018 / UK GDPR
Hazardous Waste Regulations
ISO 9001, 14001, and 27001 standards
We hold the correct waste carrier licences, maintain WTNs, and report our figures to the Environment Agency as required.
🌍 4. Environmental Considerations
Before any device is recycled, we evaluate whether it can be reused—the most sustainable outcome.
When recycling is necessary, we ensure:
Partner facilities are certified
Zero waste goes to landfill
Precious materials are recovered responsibly
All packaging is reused or recycled
Emissions from collections are offset
Why It All Matters
Computer recycling isn’t just about chucking old tech in a skip—it’s about protecting data, conserving resources, and meeting legal and environmental obligations.
At Fixed Asset Disposal, we believe in ethical end-of-life asset management. Every step of our day—from collection to certification—is designed to offer you peace of mind, data security, and a greener footprint.
Ready to Recycle Your IT the Right Way?
Whether you’re upgrading 10 laptops or clearing out an entire server room, trust the professionals at Fixed Asset Disposal.
✅ Fully licensed
✅ Certified data destruction
✅ Nationwide collections
✅ Transparent reporting
✅ Environmentally responsible
Contact us today at www.fixedassetdisposal.co.uk or call our team to book your secure collection.
