Recycling non-working computer

Is there any way to wipe the hard drive of a non-functioning computer? Or should I not worry about it? I have a bunch of old laptops that I can't even turn on at this point, and am not sure what to do with them. They're many years old so I doubt there's anything important on there anyway, but I do want to be careful.

You can always pull the drives. On a laptop its often 1 or 2 screws.

Freeway said:
You can always pull the drives. On a laptop its often 1 or 2 screws.

Interesting. And then what do I do with those?

TarheelsInNj said:

Freeway said:
You can always pull the drives. On a laptop its often 1 or 2 screws.

Interesting. And then what do I do with those?

Buy a "toaster" or a drive reader And copy anything you want to save to another drive. Once the important stuff is copied hit old hard drives with a hammer a bunch of times then discard

I believe @metaphysician refurbs old computers, he might be able to use them for parts.

spontaneous said:
I believe @metaphysician refurbs old computers, he might be able to use them for parts.

Spoke with him yesterday. He is currently working with a not-for-profit that is refurbishing donated computers and giving them to students in need in the school district. It would be worth contacting him and letting him know what you have.

joan_crystal said:

spontaneous said:
I believe @metaphysician refurbs old computers, he might be able to use them for parts.

Spoke with him yesterday. He is currently working with a not-for-profit that is refurbishing donated computers and giving them to students in need in the school district. It would be worth contacting him and letting him know what you have.

I love that idea!! There's a similar organization I know about in North Carolina.