Do I have to erase all the information on my hard drive before recycling?

Do I have to erase all the information on my hard drive before recycling?

John Shegerian (CEO, Electronic Waste Recyclers) gives expert video advice on: Do I have to erase all the information on my hard drive before recycling?; What is a 'Certificate of Destruction'?; What are US Department of Defense erasure standards? and more...

You don't have to delete or erase all the information on your hard drive. My recommendation would be to request and require your recycler to destroy your hard drive by shredding it and giving you an assured destruction certificate for your own files. Don't let your recycler off the hook. Ask them to shred it and give you proof of the destruction. That's the best way to make sure all your private information goes away forever.