One of the first things you might notice when you look closely at a dismantled computer, phone, or network device is the mainboard, also referred to as a motherboard or logic board.
It might appear to be a busy place for a lot of tiny electronic components: chips, slots, connectors, heat sinks, capacitors, resistors, solder points, layered circuit boards, and more.
That’s because the mainboard is the central communications board for the device. It sends and receives signals and power from, and between, components such as:
- The processor or chip, which performs all the computing, mathematical, and logical functions for the device
- The memory (RAM), which stores data for quick retrieval and processing
- The read/write storage (SSD, hard disk), which stores data permanently, even when the device is turned off
- The power supply, which sends appropriate voltages to the mainboard and associated components
- The cooling (fan, heat sink) to protect components from high temperatures
- Expansion card slots and ports, to connect other cards (video, network, sound), peripheral devices (printer, keyboard, mouse, and so on), and other devices on the network
Mainboards are found in more devices than most people think.
Servers have them.
Laptops have them.
Desktop computers have them.
Phones have them.
Routers have them.
Switches have them.
Printers, tablets, monitors, ATMs, medical devices, and many industrial machines have them too.
But why bother recycling them?
Hardware refreshes are common in most organizations, as they periodically replace older equipment with newer, more efficient models. As a result, many mainboards leave service.
While the mainboard itself might not store business data, it generally comes attached to a storage device or network that likely contains sensitive information that must be permanently erased.
Even though it doesn’t store data itself, it contains recoverable materials such as copper, gold, silver, tin, lead, epoxy resin, fiberglass, plastics, and other hazardous materials that should not be burned, dumped, or processed informally without proper controls and treatment.
Proper hardware decommissioning includes handling and disposal for all of the parts and components in the device, whether they contain data or not. It starts with asset assessment to determine which devices can be reused and which should go into e-waste recycling. Working and nonworking equipment are generally separated, as well as assets with and without data storage capability.
For devices that contain storage media, all information must be permanently erased through certified data destruction techniques. For devices that contain removable storage media such as SD cards or USB sticks, these must be removed and destroyed or remarketed separately.
Mainboards typically come out of devices as part of a larger assembly. If the mainboard is reusable, it is separated from its original casing, cables, power supply, and other components. If not, it is removed for proper e-waste recycling.
Proper hardware decommissioning and e-waste recycling with Eco Beringin protects your sensitive data, recovers value from your used equipment, and ensures that every part of the device is handled properly. Here’s how:
IT asset assessment
We start with a complete review of your owned or leased IT assets, including servers, laptops, desktops, and other computers and networking equipment.
Device buyback and hardware decommissioning
We buy back your used devices for fast, hassle-free hardware decommissioning, starting with a complete wipe and destroy of your sensitive data.
Certified data destruction
All devices we receive are assessed for their potential to store sensitive data. Any device with storage capability is subjected to one of our certified data destruction techniques to make data recovery impossible.
We test and grade working devices for remarketing. Non-working devices are sent for certified e-waste recycling.
Eco Beringin operates with R2v3 certification, as well as ISO 9001, ISO 14001, and ISO 45001. These certifications support responsible recycling, quality control, environmental management, and worker safety.
Flexible SLAs can also be arranged depending on volume, location, timeline, security requirements, reporting needs, and whether work needs to be done onsite or offsite.
A mainboard may not be the part people worry about when they think about data. But it is still part of the asset lifecycle.
It contains materials worth recovering. It contains substances that should not be handled carelessly. And it usually sits inside a larger device that may contain sensitive information.
That is why proper hardware decommissioning matters.
Contact us now, and learn how we can make decommissioning easy, safe and compliant for you and your customers.