National Device Bank FAQs for Organisations

We take data security extremely seriously.

• When the equipment arrives at the Reconome warehouse, it is asset tagged and reconciled with the inventory you provide.
• ADISA Certified Software – Reconome uses Certus and Blancco software accredited by the UK National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) to wipe PCs, laptops, and external hard disks, using the MoD standard, HMG Infosec Enhanced, which overwrites the entire drive 3 times over. Mobile devices are wiped using Phonecheck. Certus, Blancco and Phonecheck are all tested and certified by ADISA. This process is all carried out by DBS checked staff.
• Hard Drive Destruction – Old, corrupt, or damaged drives, along with any removable media (CDs, USB sticks, etc.) will be crushed in-house using the Pure Leverage data crusher, and then sent for further shredding at our partner Approved Authorised Treatment Facility (AATF).
• Reconome are GDPR compliant – all customer data is wiped or destroyed depending on your specific requirements using professional, highly accredited software. We do not retain ANY customer data contained on physical ICT devices or media drives. We only retain basic customer details such as where, when and from whom we received the devices.
• A detailed report is provided showing the make, model, and serials of the devices collected. This serves as official documentation for your business to record transfer of assets, secure disposals and update your asset inventory
• Once complete, data erasure certificates are generated for your records

Absolutely! Equipment collections will be fully arranged and handled by Reconome via their existing 3PL partners. Once we have a finalised inventory list and collate the logistics requirements that you have for the collection we will be able to confirm collection details, and timings during our onboarding process.

By default we do not charge any fees for collection and logistics but it can be an expensive exercise. We would very much appreciate a donation to cover these costs if your organisation is in a position to do so.

Please note, devices that are received that fall under the categories of Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE) outlined in this section will incur recycling fees.

We maintain a chain of custody ensuring the transportation process is watertight. Drivers are vetted and vehicles are tracked. Goods are insured, and collection/delivery signatures taken to ensure consignments are accounted for.

We accept donations of laptops, Chromebooks, desktops, monitors, power cables, charging blocks, mobiles, smartphones, tablets, keyboards, mice, connectivity cabling, servers, networking devices, switches, and audio visual video conferencing equipment.

Secondary categories of accepted devices are as follows but we request that these items are in the minority of any given collection: Desktop and network printers, IP or office desktop phone systems, desktop scanners, photocopiers or fax machines.

The following categories of Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE) equipment will incur recycling fees which will be quoted separately once we receive the inventory list: Any broken or beyond economic repair devices CRT monitors (Cathode Ray Tube) Damaged TVs or Screens Batteries

Alternatively you can explore other options such as Recycle Your Electricals https://www.recycleyourelectricals.org.uk/

In order to ensure we received devices that have a high reusability rate to create the maximum impact for the beneficiaries, we request a minimum of 50 devices per collection. If you have a smaller number of devices that you are looking to donate, we know of some fantastic schemes that others are running which you may wish to explore:

• The Restart Project https://therestartproject.org/where-to-donate-your-computer/ 
• Community Calling (Smartphones only) https://www.hubbub.org.uk/communitycalling 
• Recycle Your Electricals https://www.recycleyourelectricals.org.uk/ 

To ensure that your devices can be successfully refurbished and redistributed, it’s essential that passwords and user accounts are removed prior to the collection:

✸ Remove BIOS lock (Windows)

✸ Remove EFI password (Apple)

✸ Remove iCloud Accounts (Apple)

✸ Remove Google Accounts (Chrome)

✸ Remove all personal user accounts linked to mobile devices before factory resetting (iPhone, iPad & Android)

In order to ensure maximum reliability we ask that all devices are not older than 7 years, we also ideally ask that laptops, chromebooks and desktops have Intel 3rd gen processors or above.

We have made the process cost neutral for the donor and by default we do not charge any fees for collection and logistics however we do incur costs. To be sustainable we would realise the value of any equipment such as servers, networking devices and switches that wouldn’t benefit the end beneficiary as well as some devices. This operational model means that there are no costs incurred for the organisation donating the devices and equipment.