Computer Aid International offers a complete service to companies replacing their IT hardware. We are experts in end-of life IT asset management, including data destruction, computer refurbishment, reuse, and recycling.

Donating your computers and monitors to Computer Aid guarantees compliance with all UK legislation, including the WEEE Directive, Data Protection Act and Environment Act.

We provide solutions to corporations, including blue-chip companies and major multinationals, as well as SMEs, local authorities, central government departments and educational institutions.

We also accept donations from individuals. For details, please visit the individual PC donations page, or contact  tom@computeraid.org, or call 020 8361 5540

If you would like to talk to someone about Computer Aid's services in more detail please call Deirdre or Oliver on 020 8361 5540 or email deirdre@computeraid.org or oliver@computeraid.org

Or, if you would like to book in a collection or delivery for some equipment you currently have please call Jon on 020 8361 5540 or email jon@computeraid.org

Organisations have an obligation under the Data Protection Act 1998 to ensure that confidential data about employees or customers is not disclosed without the consent of the individual concerned. Computer Aid is registered in accordance with the requirements of the UK Data Protection Act 1998.

All donated computers, laptops and servers received by Computer Aid are wiped using Ontrack eraser data wiping software, which guarantees the unrecoverable removal of 100% of data. This free-of-charge service means companies can be sure that none of their data can be retrieved and that they are fully compliant with the Data Protection Act. Hard disks that are faulty or that cannot be wiped of data are destroyed.

Ask yourself the following questions about your current IT decommissioning process:

* Is your IT decommissioning service cost-effective?

* Are you using cutting-edge software that guarantees the destruction of all confidential data?

* Are you meeting all environmental and data protection legislation?

* Are you sure that none of your IT equipment is ending up in landfill?

* What proportion of your computers and monitors are going to charity?

* Are you getting any Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) or publicity benefits?

* Our IT decommissioning service is free, if you deliver reusable equipment to our north London workshop.

* We use Ontrack software, which meets all recognised international data destruction standards.

* We assume full legal liability for equipment we receive and are compliant with the WEEE directive and Data Protection Act.

* We use recycling facilities that guarantee 0% of unusable equipment ends up in landfill

* 100% of donated computers and monitors that pass our stringent quality tests are provided to not-for-profit organisations in the developing world.

* We fully asset track all equipment donated to us, through to where it goes in a developing country.

* We offer unrivalled CSR and PR benefits and can provide you with stories and photos for internal or external publicity.

Empirical research proves beyond doubt that when upgrading to the newest version, reusing computers is far better for the environment than recycling them. Reusing a computer is 20 times more effective at saving life cycle energy use than recycling it. Given the substantial environmental cost of production, it is imperative we recover the full productive value of every PC through reuse before eventually recycling it to recover parts and materials at its true end-of-life.

It is also essential that organisations and individuals ensure that their IT equipment is sent to a professional and legitimate refurbisher, approved by the Environment Agency, to ensure that it is handled in a responsible way. Computer Aid only distributes computer equipment through responsible partner organisations that meet our stringent requirements.

1. Do they have the right permits to deal with e-waste?

Organisations that process e-waste must hold a relevant permit or a registered WEEE refurbishers exemption; in England and Wales these are issued and monitored by the Environment Agency. In Scotland this is carried out by the Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA). Sites that process e-waste are sometimes referred to as Authorised Treatment Facilities (ATFs). The Environment Agency or SEPA can confirm whether a particular operator is allowed to treat e-waste. Operators of ATFs who want to be able to issues evidence under the WEEE Regulations apply for approval to the Environment Agency or SEPA. If approved, they are known as Approved Authorised Treatment Facilities (AATFs).

The Environment Agency publishes a list of AATFs which is freely available on their website. Check that a company is approved by visiting http://www.environmentagency.gov.uk/business/topics/waste/32086.aspx and downloading the list.

2. Can they provide you with a certificate of data destruction?

Organisations have an obligation under the Data Protection Act 1998 to ensure that confidential data about employees or customers is not disclosed without the consent of the individual concerned. Therefore, it’s imperative that if you’re handing over your PC or laptop to a third party you are confident all data on the machines will be completely removed. Make sure the IT disposal company can provide a certificate of data destruction and guarantee 100% destruction of all data.

3. Will they provide copies of data wiping insurance?

Make sure the IT disposal company has public liability insurance that covers all your equipment as soon as it goes into their possession, as well as data wiping insurance. Ask for copies of these documents so you can be confident that they can accept full legal responsibility for your kit.

4. Can they provide a written guarantee of 0% landfill of nonreusable
equipment?

It is a requirement of the WEEE Directive that any equipment that is recycled is done so through a company with an appropriate permit issued by the Environment Agency. Look for organisations that can guarantee 0% landfill, so your waste has minimal impact on the environment.

5. Can they show documentation of their waste stream and that of
their subcontractors?

Can you be confident that none of your equipment will end up being photographed on an e-waste dump somewhere in Africa? Make sure your IT disposal partner can provide documentary evidence of what happened to your equipment – where it was sent to, which parts were reused and which were recycled. Take references from their previous clients to show that they did in fact provide documentation. Some organisations will also asset-track working equipment that is refurbished for reuse, bar-coding the PC or laptop so it can be followed to the exact project it is sent to.

6. Are they a legally registered company?

The WebCHeck service on the Companies House website offers a searchable Company Names and Address Index free of charge, so you can search for information on over two million companies: http://wck2.companieshouse.gov.uk. It’s also worth visiting the IT disposal company’s website and ringing the landline details they provide to check it’s a legitimate telephone number. If they don’t have a landline and operate through a PO Box then it’s wise to give them a wide berth.

7. Do they prioritise reuse over recycling?

It is a requirement of the WEEE Directive that the reuse of whole appliances is prioritised over recycling. Responsible IT disposal companies will make sure any working equipment can go on to provide further use to another person or organisation, and will test your PC or laptop to ensure it’s safe and fit for purpose.

Research has shown it is twenty times better for the environment to reuse a PC rather then recycle it, as 80% of the fossil fuels used over its entire lifecycle have already been consumed before the computer is even switched on for the very first time. When professionally refurbished, an unwanted PC could go on to have a further productive
life of three to four years, significantly reducing its impact on the environment.