Electronic media needs to be disposed of in accordance with the University's Data Handling Requirements. Electronic media with University sensitive or restricted information must be physically destroyed. This means that not only must the data be destroyed beyond any ability to recover that data, but the physical media device (such as a jump drive, CD or DVD, or tape, etc.) must also be destroyed. Electronic media that has had sensitive or restricted data on it may not be sold or given to anyone outside of the University.

Physical Facilities began offering an electronic storage media shredding service in fall 2009. "Recycling for the Future" is a collaborative effort between Materials Management and Distribution, University Warehouse and Surplus, and ITaP's Secure Purdue initiative. 

The "Recycling for the Future" program offers a systematic, auditable, and reliable process for the disposal of electronic storage media containing University data. These media are shredded with a high-powered shredder at the University Warehouse and the shredding byproducts are disposed of in an environmentally friendly manner by contractors that handle e-waste.

The new program ensures that hard drives and other electronic storage equipment that previously stored University data will no longer be offered for sale to the general public at the end of their useful lives.

In order to support the University Policy for Proper Disposal of Electronic Media and Media Disposal Guidelines, SSTA-WT will perform the following procedures for supported hardware whenever warranted as below:

1. When a computer is removed from service or a hard drive fails while in service SSTA-WT will utilize the University Warehouse shredder for destruction and disposal of the hard drive as described: 
1. A SSTA-WT staff member or a student worker under the supervision of a SSTA-WT staff member will transport the machine to a secure location where the hard drive is removed.  The hard drive will remain in a locked secure location until it is transported to the warehouse where an SSTA-WT staff member will witness the shredding of the hard drive.
2. SSTA-WT maintains an optical shredder for destroying optical removable media that contains restricted or sensitive data. The shredder is available for use by supported departmental areas. The Departmental Coordinator or assigned responsible staff member is required to be present during the destruction of removable media.
1. For optical media: Run the CD or DVD through a CD shredder.
2. For floppy disk media: Break open the plastic shell, remove and shred the media surface.
3. For ZIP disk media: Break open the plastic shell, remove and shred the media surface.
4. For USB Flash Drive media: Break open the plastic shell, remove and physically break the memory SIMM or DIMM so that it is unusable.

Related Documents:
SecurePurdue Media Disposal Policy FAQs http://www.purdue.edu/securepurdue/help/view.cfm?KBTopicID=237

SecurePurdue: Data Destruction Awareness and You
http://www.purdue.edu/securepurdue/datadestruction/index.cfm