Although tapes are used less frequently today than in the past, in many organizations, tape destruction remains an important part of data security and backup strategy. Linear Tape-Open ( LTO) tapes in particular are still widely used for archiving. But what do you do with those old tapes when they have lost their function?
At IT recycling, we know exactly how important it is to destroy confidential data for good – and we do it simply on site at the customer’s premises.
Why tapes still exist
So many people think tapes are a thing of the past, but nothing could be further from the truth.
The global LTO market is actually showing growth. In 2024, 176.5 exabytes of tape capacity was shipped worldwide – an increase of more than 15% from 2023. The total market value of tape storage is estimated at USD 8.6 billion in 2024, and will grow toward USD 14.8 billion by 2033.
This is because tapes are extremely reliable, long-lasting and inexpensive per terabyte. So for backups and archives, tape remains a logical choice.
The problem: secure destruction of tapes
Old tapes often still contain highly sensitive information: customer data, backups, financial data, or complete system copies.
Just throwing it away is absolutely not an option.
Data on a tape is actually indestructible and can be read back for years to come – unless the tape is physically destroyed.
And that’s exactly where things often go wrong. Many mobile shredders are designed for hard drives or paper, but not for tapes – and certainly not for LTO tapes.
LTO tapes have a smooth plastic casing that can jump over teeth of a shredder. Therefore, by no means every shredder made for hard drives can also shred tapes.
IT Recycling does destroy LTO tapes
Most of the tapes we destroy are LTO tapes. Other providers often cannot process these properly: they jam, only cut the tape into long strands or do not meet the proper safety standard.
Our mobile shredder is specially adapted for this type of media and therefore also lusts LTO tapes without any problem.
We shred tapes at 9 mm.
That may seem like a small detail, but it makes a big difference.
Instead of long strands or half-torn tape remnants, small, unrecognizable fragments remain. This makes data recovery impossible, and the destruction meets the most stringent requirements of DIN 66399 (security class H-5).
On-site tape destruction: safe and transparent
At IT Recycling, we simply come to your location with our mobile shredder truck. Therefore, the tapes do not need to be transported – a significant advantage for organizations with strict data security requirements (such as banks, healthcare facilities and government agencies).
The tapes are destroyed on the spot in your presence.
Afterwards, you will immediately receive a destruction certificate proving that everything was done according to the rules.
The destroyed remains are then disposed of in an environmentally friendly way to an authorized processor.
The DIN 66399 standard explained
DIN 66399 is the European standard that specifies exactly how data carriers should be destroyed, depending on the type of data and the desired level of security.
When it comes to destroying tapes, we are particularly concerned with the H-category (hard disks and magnetic media).
At IT-Recycling, we use class H-5, where the tape is destroyed in fragments of no more than 10 mm² – more than enough to meet even the strictest compliance requirements.
Want to know more about this standard? There is a good explanation at ontrack.com.
Why choose IT Recycling?
✔ Destruction of tapes and other data carriers on site
✔ Suitable for LTO tapes (which many other shredders cannot handle)
✔ Fragment size of only 9 mm – thus maximum security
✔ 100 % according to DIN 66399 – H5
✔ Certificate of destruction immediately upon completion
✔ Environmentally friendly disposal of residual material
Conclusion
Tapes may no longer be as commonplace as they once were, but they still play an important role in data storage and backup.
Therefore, it is essential that they also be destroyed safely and demonstrably.
With IT Recycling, you choose a party that not only meets the highest safety standards, but also performs the destruction on your premises – safely, efficiently and completely transparently.
👉 Learn more at
Read more at it-recycling.co.uk/data-destruction/destruction-tapes or contact us directly for a free quote.