In the age of data privacy laws and cybersecurity threats, secure IT asset disposition (ITAD) is essential. At Green Century Recycling, we are R2v3- and ISO-certified, offering fully compliant solutions that protect your sensitive information and keep you in line with HIPAA, FACTA, GLBA, and other regulatory standards.
But not all data destruction methods are created equal—especially when it comes to different types of storage devices. Should you overwrite or physically destroy your drives? The answer depends on what you’re working with.
Overwriting vs. Physical Destruction: What’s the Difference?
Logical Data Sanitization (Overwriting):
This method uses specialized software to overwrite existing data with random patterns or zeros, following NIST 800-88 Rev. 1 guidelines (“Clear” or “Purge”). Overwriting is:
- Effective and compliant for most HDDs
- Conditionally effective for SSDs, NVMe, and M.2 drives, only if the process can be verified
Physical Destruction:
Physically destroying the device—by shredding, crushing, or degaussing—removes any chance of data recovery. It’s the most secure option when verification of data erasure is uncertain or impossible.
Why Overwriting Modern Drives Is Complicated
Flash-based storage like SSDs, NVMe, and M.2 drives uses features like:
- Wear-leveling
- Over-provisioning
- Hidden storage areas (remapped sectors)
These features make it difficult to guarantee that all data is overwritten—even with NIST-compliant software—unless the drive is designed to fully support it and verification confirms it.
Green Century’s R2v3-Compliant Process
At Green Century Recycling, our approach is tailored to both the device type and the sensitivity of your data:
| Storage Type | Overwriting (If Verified) | Physical Destruction |
|---|---|---|
| HDD | ✔ Yes | ✔ Optional |
| SSD | ✔ If verifiable | ✔ Recommended |
| NVMe | ✔ If verifiable | ✔ Recommended |
| M.2 | ✔ If verifiable | ✔ Recommended |
✔ All overwriting meets NIST 800-88 Rev. 1 “Clear” or “Purge” standards
✔ All physical destruction is done onsite or offsite, tracked via secure chain of custody
✔ We provide Certificates of Data Destruction for every job
Why It Matters for Healthcare and Regulated Industries
If you manage sensitive data—especially patient information under HIPAA—you’re required to ensure complete, verifiable data destruction. Green Century ensures that:
- Devices are assessed before processing
- Overwriting is verified or destruction is performed
- Documentation supports your compliance and audit needs
Conclusion
Data destruction isn’t one-size-fits-all. With evolving storage technology, it’s more important than ever to use a certified, intelligent approach. At Green Century, we combine best practices, regulatory compliance, and R2v3-verified methods to ensure nothing is left behind—except peace of mind.
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