Computer and hard drive disposal

Harvard-owned or grant-purchased computer equipment can either be disposed of or re-purposed, depending on the age and security compliance of the equipment. Prior to re-purposing computer equipment, check with you local IT support team to ensure the computer is still in good working order and meets the minimum security requirements. If the computer equipment is no longer needed by the department or lab and is ready for disposal, you local IT support team can have it securely recycled. All computers designated for disposal require the hard drive to be shredded prior to recycling (see below).  Contact your local IT support team or the HMS IT Service at 617-432-2000 for more information.

Hard drive disposal

Harvard University Information Security policy conforms to the Massachusetts law that mandates confidential information must be protected. Before donating or recycling computer equipment make sure all applications and data are securely removed from the computer.

If computer equipment designated for recycling contains data (E.g., a hard drive), contact your local IT support team so they can remove the hard drive for secure disposal. After the hard drives are removed a label will be affixed showing it is approved for recycling by Campus Operations. Campus Operations will not accept computer equipment without an HMS IT confirmation sticker. Computer equipment that does not contain data (for example, monitors) will not require an HMS IT confirmation sticker.

To schedule a pickup of your computer equipment, contact the Facilities Call Center at 617-432-1901.