E-Waste Recycling, Data Destruction
& ITAD — Complete FAQ

Yes. Options: in-person witness, live video, or recorded video linked to your Certificate of Destruction (CoD).

Any device that fails a wipe will be escalated to destruction in the same job. The final log will show pass/fail and final method per serial.

Data destruction is the process of destroying sensitive data stored in hard drives and similar media devices. Whether through software or physical destruction, this service can be carried out on the premises of the client which is why it is called onsite data destruction.

Due to the nature of information, industry requirements, and the law, companies can’t afford even a thin chance of theft, security breach, or its unauthorized access. Onsite data destruction is ideal for such situations because the service is provided on the premises and conducted safely in front of the authorized staff. Moreover, onsite data destruction service providers like Hummingbird International bring high-end equipment with them which are NSA compliant and used according to the NIST 800-88 standard. The equipment shreds hard drives and storage devices to tiny pieces, and even dispose the materials for recycling at a safe location. Instead of sending storage media and hard drives to a far away facility, you get peace of mind and watch your data destroyed completely with no chance of recoverability.

Yes. We shred at your dock so that the secure drives never leave custody. Off-site data destruction is available with sealed bins, tracked transfer, and signed handoffs.

Yes. We frequently wipe reusable assets and shred high-risk media in the same route offering one consolidated evidence pack.

Yes. IT Asset Liquidation can offset or eliminate program costs for eligible laptops, workstations, and servers.

All three are methods of data destruction but they are different in nature. Data erasure involves the use of software for wiping out data from hard drives and making it unreadable. This method is ideal for those who want to reuse their drives but are looking for a way to completely erase all data before its next use. However, sometimes traces of sensitive data may be recoverable. Hard drive shredding refers to the physical data destruction including drilling and shredding of hard drives to tiny pieces. They render storage devices irrecoverable, that’s why it is the most secure way for data destruction and compliant with industry standards.

When data is destroyed via software and/or physical methods according to the NSA, NIST 800-88 guidelines, DoD and similar regulations, the professional vendors like Hummingbird International are required to issue a serialized certification and audit report of the devices destroyed according to their serial numbers. The document also outlines the method, compliance and safe environment in which destruction was carried out for a particular device. This is an important part of a responsible and professional data destruction process because it demonstrates compliance and in case of a legal situation, the customer can show proof of data destruction.

NSA-approved equipment are machines which are designed according to strict standards for the purpose of complete drive destruction. They are made shredding hard drives and storage media devices to tiny pieces rendering them into e-waste materials—no trace of data can be recovered after a device goes through NSA-compliant equipment. This is required for handling and destruction of compliant data, classified government agency information, financial data, etc.

Some of the most important industry standards and compliance when dealing with data destruction include: DoD, NSA, NAID, NIST 800-88 Compliant. They help clients identify authentic, reliable and trustable data destruction service providers who follow them.

After hard drives and storage devices go through data destruction, the shredded materials must be disposed of to a safe location because they are bio hazards. For this purpose, they are sent to e-waste recyclers like Hummingbird International which specializes in safe and eco-friendly IT asset disposal.

Of course! You can reach out to one of our consultants to schedule onsite data destruction services according to the frequency you require. We’ll take care of the data destruction equipment, resources, and disposal of destroyed materials.

Our company has been in the business of e-waste recycling and awarded R2 V3, ISO 9001, ISO 14001 and ISO 45001 certification for our high standards of compliance. We understand the importance of safe IT asset disposal and recycling. Data destruction is an add-on service that we offer to customers who consider safe handling of sensitive data a priority with minimal chance of security breach. Onsite data destruction makes sense because you get peace of mind, security, and assurance your data is destroyed completely right before the eyes of your authorized staff. Your data can’t be recovered after it goes through our onsite data destruction and recycling process.

Typically 1-5 business days; same-day available for urgent jobs depending on the inventory.

Yes. We capture device and media serials and tie them to the method, time, and location in your final packet.

Yes — assets under legal hold are isolated, labeled, and included in the logs with clear status trail and disposition notes.

We need you to call us or fill the contact form with your ZIP, contact, site access rules, rough counts or photos, preferred window, and data method (or “not sure”).

Yes, our tech experts can coordinate Reverse Logistics & Nationwide Pick up for routed plans, site-level windows, and roll-up reporting.

Yes. We stage carts/bins, follow floor protection and quiet-hours rules, and coordinate with facilities and security.

These may need volume minimums or fees. Send photos; we’ll confirm. Some hazmat items (e.g., loose lithium batteries) require special handling/boxing.

Yes. Some models incur commodity fees; we disclose that before pick up.

Yes. We can scan tags, remove BIOS/MDM where permitted, and document in the final logs.

As experts in commercial e-waste recycling and ITAD we have certified standard SOPs that include sealed media bins, tracking, and site-level CoC roll into a single evidence pack.

Yes. As long as the inventory is clear, you flag any constraints at scoping, we will align resources and pricing to offer a schedule at your convenience.

Yes, for the financial industry we provide CoD, serial logs tied to accounts/locations, and CoC. These will align with your records retention and policy mapping, providing GLBA/SOX compliance which your auditors require for secure data destruction.

Yes, for the government sector we can not only provide COI, but we also adhere to access/escort rules, and follow no-photo/no-network policies; ask about contract vehicles if applicable.

Yes, for the education industry we coordinate semester-end programs, cart staging, classroom pickups, and bulk media handling, with per-site documentation.

Yes, we can support the IT business industry and provide CSV templates, webhooks, and email confirmations; we can align to ServiceNow/Jira workflows with simple steps.See

Yes. We support after-hours and quiet-hours windows to minimize disruption.

Yes. We provide carts, bins, boxes, pallets, and seals as needed.

Standard business terms; milestone billing for large programs. COI available for landlords/data centers.

We evaluate assets, apply resale credits, and net them against program costs. You’ll receive a reconciliation detailing credits and fees.

For non-electronic data (e.g., paper), we offer document shredding and we can coordinate combined pickups where available.