Disposing of USB sticks: the right way to do it

If your USB stick is no longer functional, it is important to dispose of it properly. If the stick ends up in the wrong waste bin, it can endanger people and the environment

Disposing of USB sticks: How to proceed

USB sticks contain environmentally harmful substances such as lead, mercury and cadmium. They should therefore be disposed of properly.

• So USB sticks should never be disposed of in the residual waste bin after their “demise”.
• You can dispose of the used device at the shop where you bought it, at the recycling centre or at the mobile recycling centre as electronic waste.
• Disposing of the USB stick incorrectly can lead to heavy fines and should be avoided accordingly.
• Do not forget to delete your data from the stick before disposing of it, as it is quite possible for tech-savvy people to repair the stick and gain access to your data. If erasing is no longer possible, you should smash the circuit board with a hammer.