Have you ever recycled an old computer or laptop? Where did you take it, and what steps did you take to protect your personal information?
The data aspect of this question is really pretty easy. With any PC that I dispose of, so long as the hard drive works, I simply run Darik's Book and Nuke. The hard drive is wiped of the licensed OS, applications, and all data that ever existed on it. If the hard drive doesn't work, I tear it apart and physically destroy it. Then it's tossed. I sleep well knowing my data are safely removed or inaccessable. Then there's the hardware…
The recycling aspect of this question is the worst! Even when you, in good conscience, deliver a computer to a group, company, or agency that is supposed to "recycle" it, there is a really good chance that bad things will happen. The computer hardware may wind up as someone else's environmental problem instead of being properly disassembled, materials recycled, and safely disposed of. The issue of proper disposal of electronics is a real and growing environmental concern for the whole world and needs serious attention — much of this junk winds up in Third World countries. I agonize over this every time I get rid of some old device –computer or not– but just try my best to do the right thing. As of now, about all I can do is turn the thing over to local government and hope they get the job done right.
PhotonStopper 