ITAD Answers
Concise, factual answers to the questions organizations ask when retiring IT equipment — data destruction methods and standards, what documentation you should receive, what things cost, and how free resale-funded ITAD actually works. Each answer stands on its own and links to the details.
What is IT asset disposition (ITAD)?
The structured process of securely retiring end-of-life IT equipment — and how it differs from ordinary electronics recycling.
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What is a Certificate of Destruction?
What the document contains, when it is issued, and why auditors ask to see one.
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How much does hard drive destruction cost?
Typical market pricing for drive shredding — and why Trace charges from $15 per drive.
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Is IT asset disposition pickup free?
How resale-funded ITAD makes pickup, verified wiping, and documentation genuinely free.
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What is chain of custody in ITAD?
Documented custody of every asset from pickup or mail-in receipt through final disposition.
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Data wipe vs. physical destruction — which do you need?
When a verified wipe is sufficient, and when your policies require drives to be physically destroyed.
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NAID AAA and data destruction standards, explained
What NAID AAA / i-SIGMA specifications cover, and what "aligned" means versus "certified."
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ITAD vs. electronics recycling — what's the difference?
Data security, audit documentation, and value recovery versus material recovery alone.
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Looking for more?
Our ITAD FAQ answers detailed questions about pickup, wiping, and documentation, and our services page publishes every price — free bulk pickup, free verified wipes, physical destruction from $15 per drive, and a flat $39 nationwide mail-in kit (free above a resale-value threshold). Ready to retire equipment? Schedule a free pickup or request a mail-in kit, or call (719) 895-4823.