Data Destruction
Have Your Data Media Destroyed
Hard drives, SSDs, USB sticks and backup tapes hold data that wiping does not truly remove. We destroy your data media physically, registered by serial number and to DIN 66399. You receive a data destruction certificate with every serial number on it.
For businesses and private individuals. Data media can go along in the same collection as your paper or archive. No subscription, no minimum.
20% off all collection rates. View the pilot deal →
Data Media We Destroy
Every data medium has its own way of being destroyed. A magnetic hard drive calls for something different from an SSD full of memory chips or an optical disc. We destroy every medium to the correct DIN 66399 level, registered by serial number.
- Hard drives (HDD)
- SSDs and flash storage
- USB sticks and memory cards
- Backup tapes (LTO and DAT)
- CDs, DVDs and Blu-rays
- Smartphones and tablets
- Servers and single data-centre components
- Debit and access cards with a chip
Is there paper or a whole archive as well? Then we collect it all in one trip. See paper shredding and archive destruction.
From Collection to a Certificate by Serial Number
Tell us about your data media
Let us know how many drives, tapes or USB sticks are involved. We quote a fixed price in advance and schedule the collection.
Collection and registration
We collect the data media and register each item by serial number, so the chain is watertight.
Sealed transport
The data media travel sealed and without interim storage to destruction. No one can access them on the way.
Destruction and certificate
Physically destroyed to the correct DIN 66399 level. You receive a Certificate of Destruction with all serial numbers on it.
Why Shred Hard Drives and Not Just Wipe Them?
Wiping or formatting a hard drive often leaves data behind that can be retrieved with free recovery software. On a faulty drive, wiping sometimes fails entirely while the data is still there. Physical data destruction is the only approach that guarantees recovery is impossible.
When shredding hard drives, the drive is reduced to particles so the magnetic platters can no longer be read. SSDs and USB sticks are destroyed to a finer level, because the data sits on small memory chips. You can read more about this in the data destruction certificate explained and clearing backup tapes and LTO.
The Right Destruction Level per Data Medium
DIN 66399 has separate levels for different types of data media. H-levels for magnetic drives, E-levels for electronic chips and O-levels for optical discs. The higher the level, the smaller the particles and the harder reconstruction becomes.
| Data medium | DIN category | Approach |
|---|---|---|
| Hard drive (HDD) | H-5 | Shredded into small particles |
| SSD and USB stick | E-level | Finely ground, chips unreadable |
| Backup tape (LTO) | H-level | Physically shredded |
| CD, DVD and Blu-ray | O-level | Optical layer destroyed |
Read more about the standard in DIN 66399 explained. Disposing of USB sticks and memory cards as well? See destroying USB sticks and memory cards.
The Chain Stays Closed, from Collection to Certificate
With data destruction, everything comes down to proof. From the moment we collect your data media until they are destroyed, everything stays under control and registered by serial number.
- Registration by serial number. Every data medium is recorded by serial number at collection.
- Sealed transport. No interim storage, no transfers. The media go to destruction in one go.
- Physical destruction. To the correct DIN 66399 level, so reconstruction is impossible.
- Certificate with serial numbers. You receive a Certificate of Destruction with the date, order number and all serial numbers.
This lets you demonstrate at an audit or data breach that the data has genuinely been destroyed. Read also data destruction for businesses.
What Does Data Destruction Cost?
Data media are priced per item, depending on the type and the quantity. Let us know how many drives, tapes or USB sticks are involved and we quote a fixed price in advance. There is no quotation process involved.
Always included
- Registration by serial number
- Sealed transport
- Physical destruction to DIN 66399
- Certificate with all serial numbers
- Certified staff (background-checked)
- Inclusion in an existing collection
No hidden costs
- No subscription or contract term
- No minimum quantity
- No administration fees
- No surcharge afterwards
See also the full rates for paper and archive.
Data Destruction in Amsterdam and Surrounding Area
We are a local destruction company in Amsterdam. Our service area is the city and everything within 20 km, with no call-out charge within that radius. We collect your data media, destroy them physically at the correct level and email you the certificate with the serial numbers.
Among other places, we collect and destroy data media in:
- Amsterdam (all districts)
- Amstelveen
- Diemen
- Hoofddorp
- Haarlem
- Zaandam
Beyond the 20 km we come by appointment, see the full service area →
Frequently Asked Questions about Data Destruction
What is data destruction?
Data destruction is the irreversible act of making data on a data medium unreadable. With physical data destruction the medium itself is destroyed, such as a hard drive that is shredded. Unlike wiping or formatting, recovery is then no longer possible. You receive a data destruction certificate as proof.
Which data media do you destroy?
We destroy hard drives (HDD), SSDs, USB sticks, memory cards, backup tapes (LTO and DAT), CDs, DVDs, Blu-rays, smartphones and tablets. Every medium is destroyed to the correct DIN 66399 level.
Do I receive a data destruction certificate?
Yes. Every data medium is registered by serial number and, after destruction, that serial number appears on the Certificate of Destruction, with the date and order number. This proves that the data has genuinely been destroyed and that you comply with the GDPR.
Is wiping a hard drive not enough?
Wiping or formatting often leaves data behind that can be retrieved with recovery software. On faulty drives, wiping sometimes fails entirely. Physical destruction, such as shredding hard drives, is the only method that guarantees recovery is impossible.
Can data media go along in the same collection as paper?
Yes. Data media can go along in the same collection as your archive or paper. They are registered separately by serial number and destroyed at their own level, with the serial numbers on the certificate.
What does data destruction cost?
Data media are priced per item, depending on the type and the quantity. Let us know how many drives, tapes or USB sticks are involved and we quote a fixed price in advance. Data media can be included free of charge in an existing collection.
Schedule Your Data Destruction Now
Book online right away or call us for a fixed price within 5 minutes.