Estimated read time: 1-2 minutes
This archived news story is available only for your personal, non-commercial use. Information in the story may be outdated or superseded by additional information. Reading or replaying the story in its archived form does not constitute a republication of the story.
SALT LAKE CITY - If you got a new computer, phone or other gadget for Christmas, what should you do to get rid of the old one?
KSL audio technician Seth Mitchell says there are important things to do before recycling electronics.
Before getting rid of a cell phone, think of all the information on it - such as data and contacts. Most smartphones have a setting that allows users to return it to factory settings. Take out the data card and keep it for future use in another device.
For computers, take out the hard drive, smash it then send it to be recycled. If the computer will be reused in a school or other setting, wipe the hard drive using a disk downloaded at www.dban.org.
Removing Personal Information
- Restore phone to factory settings and remove sim/data card
- Remove hard disk and destroy
- Wipe hard disk using software www.dban.org
Recycle locations
Salt Lake County residents
- Trans-Jordan Landfill
10873 S. 7200 West
South Jordan
www.transjordan.org/ - Salt Lake Valley Landfill
6030 W. California Ave.
Salt Lake City
www.slvlandfill.slco.org/
Radio Shack -- trade for gift card or recycle Best Buy -- three items per day
