Your confidential information and photocopiers

Did you know that nearly every digital photocopier since 2002 contains a hard-drive, just like your laptop and computer? More concerning is that those photocopiers store an image of every document that has been scanned, photocopied or emailed.

In our last blog (admittedly posted over a year ago) we went through how we permantly sanitise the data on your hard-drives which most people know exists on their PC's, laptops and smartphones.

This blog is about the secret danger that exists within your photocopier.

Watch the video below and then we will tell you how we can provide a solution for secure IT disposal, including photocopiers.



It's amazing to think how many confidential documents would be stored in your photocopier when you are disposing of it.

The options for secure disposal include:
1) Data Sanitisation (On or Offsite): The HDD is removed from the copier and given a 3 or 7 pass wipe with DoD approved software before the photocopier is resold or recycled. This can be undertaken at your premises or at our secure processing facility.

2) Physical Destruction: The HDD is removed and then shredded. The HDD can be put into a Secure Disposal Bin at your premises (ask us about this service) and then shipped to our processing facility for physical destruction. Alternatively we can physically destroy it once the photocopier arrives at our premises.

The same process above applies to any piece of IT equipment that contains a hard-drive. Some smartphones can be erased by restoring to factory settings.

We hope you have enjoyed our 1st blog of 2012 and that you take care when disposing of all IT equipment.

Secure green wipes...

Buyequip receives enquries on a daily basis about "what happens to the data on my hard drive when I recycle my computer?" And rightly so.

Data security is essential in today's technological environment with incidences of data and identity theft on the rise. This is of particular concern in business and whether you are a one-man show or a large organisation, necessary precautions should be taken to prevent confidential information ending up in the wrong hands.

A common misconception about data destruction however is that the hard drive must be physically destroyed to prevent data retrieval. Software data destruction offers the same peace of mind and is just as effective as physcal destruction.

So how does software data destruction work? Buyequip uses Kill Disk software that performs wiping to US Defence Department standard. The software overwrites the data with tiny algorithms (coding) and also wipes the data making it basically impossible for information to be retrieved.

The benefits of software destruction far outweigh those of physical destruction:

1. The hard drives can be reused and this is the more environmentally friendly solution

2. The hard drives can be remarketed which means a better return on investment for your assets

3. Less expensive as it is less labour intensive than physically removing the hard drive

4. Quick and convenient

Buyequip offer 3 and 7 pass data destrution whereby each wipe adds another layer of security. A one-pass wipe is performed on all hard drives at the time of entry into Buyequip's Recycling Centre. Buyequip do offer physical destruction upon client request.

Buyequip suggests -

1 pass wipe = non-confidential (everyday files)

3 or 7 pass wipe = confidential (Financial, HR or Business files)

So why not take the more environmentally-friendly option and dispose of your unwanted computers with Buyequip. For more information about Buyequip's data destruction services phone 1300 289 727

Recycling - eWaste to resource

Old electronics are just resources in the wrong place

The Logan community gets behind the Recyclathon....

Buyequip would like to thank all who attended the Recyclathon in Browns Plains on 27th August 2010.


Officeworks and Buyequip joined forces to host the event and are very pleased with its success. Westpac were not only proud sponsors of the Recyclathon but also showed off their cooking skills at the Recyclathon sausage sizzle. Buyequip was happy to donate all proceeds from the BBQ to the Keep Australia Beautiful Queensland association.

The company mission is to provide environmentally safe outcomes for end of use electronic waste and is, therefore, happy to announce that over 2 tonnes of eWaste was dropped off. These items will be dismantled and disposed of properly at Buyequip’s Recycling Centre in Red Hill over the coming weeks.


Buyequip is in discussions with Windsor Officeworks for the Recyclathon in October will keep everyone updated on the progress.