Safe router disposal

littlemoney

Recently with my current supplier I have changed to fibre and needed a new router which was supplied. How do I safely dispose of the old router in that are there any security information/access details on the old router. Do I just hit with a hammer to make it unusable. Is this possible? Sugestions welcome please. Thanks.

neilmcl

Just perform a reset on the router and give it away, if anyone wants it or simply bin it. No need to take a hammer to it.

Neil_Jones

littlemoney said:

Recently with my current supplier I have changed to fibre and needed a new router which was supplied. How do I safely dispose of the old router in that are there any security information/access details on the old router. Do I just hit with a hammer to make it unusable. Is this possible? Sugestions welcome please. Thanks.

Well you can hit it if you want, it'll just end up with a dent on it.

Just reset it, then either give it to somebody, flog it, prop a door open with it or feed it the bin.  Your choice.

JJ_Egan

Local council will have a WEE recycle centre .

littleboo

The ISP may take back the old router for disposal, otherwise dispose of it responsibly yourself after doing a factory reset.

neilmcl

JJ_Egan said:

Local council will have a WEE recycle centre .

A lot will collect small electrical items if left (bagged) on top of the recycling bin.

matelodave

Our lot wont collect anything unless it's in the appropriate container and the lid is propely closed.

Richard_T_

If you are realty security conscious /worried that there might be something on it , which would take a lot of effort to get off the router the the only way to be sure would be to completly destroy it and any memory chips on the device.

For most of us though, if you want to remove anything that may be there a simple factory re-set should be fine. on most routers there will be a hole /re set button , pressing this  will usually  re-set the router, pressing it at power up, or for a certain amount of time will do a factory re-set - a factory reset/full reset will be enough if you want to remove your data .

As for disposal, my local authority wont take it in recycling , the only way is in the black general bin.

 Recycling wise the options are: return to ISP - if they accept this they usually send out a bag for you to send it back in , be ware that some ISPs charge you a fee if you dont return the supplied router ( if the isp sent you one in the first place)

 Local authority pick up, if your local council picks up waste electronics then thats the way to go, other wise its off to the local tip/recycling centre

littleboo

Nobody should be putting electronic equipment in landfill bins these days

PennyForThem_2

PC World/Currys take any electrical appliance whether bought there or not for recycling 

https://www.currys.co.uk/gbuk/recycle-week-1170-commercial.html

I have taken loads of stuff from plugs to wires for computers to old hardware to electroic kitchen scales - all accepted with no quibble and a smile.

fenwick458

If the ISP don't want it then sell it on ebay, they sell for £20 average