SSD Destruction Service

Solid state drives store data in NAND flash chips that are physically much smaller than the platters in a magnetic hard drive. A standard 20 mm shred — fully compliant for HDDs — can leave NAND chips intact and recoverable. NIST SP 800-88 Rev. 2 therefore requires a maximum particle size of 2 mm for SSDs and other flash media in the 'Destroy' sanitization category. Phoenix ITAD operates dedicated SSD shredders with 2 mm screens to meet that standard.

It depends on the data classification. For non-regulated data, NIST-validated overwrite or cryptographic erase (when the drive supports it and keys are properly purged) can meet the 'Purge' sanitization level. For protected health information, cardholder data, classified material, or any media leaving organizational control, regulators and most CISOs require physical destruction to NIST 'Destroy' standards because SSD wear-leveling and over-provisioning can leave data fragments in cells that software cannot address.

Cryptographic erase (crypto erase) destroys the encryption key on a self-encrypting drive (SED), rendering the encrypted data unreadable in seconds without overwriting any cells. NIST 800-88 accepts crypto erase as a 'Purge' technique when the drive is FIPS 140-2/3 validated and the key purge is verified. Phoenix ITAD offers crypto erase as a fast option for drives that will be redeployed, leased back, or resold, and pairs it with physical shredding for any media leaving your control under regulated chain of custody.

Phoenix ITAD destroys every common SSD form factor: 2.5" SATA SSDs, M.2 SATA and NVMe, U.2 / U.3 enterprise NVMe, mSATA, add-in cards (AIC / PCIe), EDSFF (E1.S, E1.L, E3.S), and embedded eMMC and BGA NAND on motherboards. We also destroy USB flash drives, SD/microSD cards, CompactFlash, and the storage modules in mobile phones, tablets, and ruggedized devices.

Yes. Every SSD is logged by serial number before destruction and listed individually on a serial-level Certificate of Destruction. The CoD references NIST SP 800-88 Rev. 2 'Destroy' for flash media, names the destruction method (2 mm shred or crypto erase + shred), and is signed by a NAID AAA Certified operator. Optional video documentation of the shred event is available on request.

Yes. Phoenix ITAD's mobile destruction unit travels across the Southwest with a dedicated 2 mm SSD shredder on board. Authorized staff can witness every drive being shredded, and Certificates of Destruction are delivered before the truck leaves your site. On-site SSD destruction is required by many DoD, healthcare, and financial-services chain-of-custody policies.

SSDs cost slightly more per unit than HDDs because the smaller particle size requires finer screens and slower throughput. Pricing scales with volume, on-site vs. off-site service, and whether you bundle crypto erase. Phoenix ITAD provides a fixed written quote within one business day; free pickup is available at qualifying business volumes anywhere in the Phoenix metro.

All three frameworks require demonstrable sanitization of media containing regulated data. NIST SP 800-88 is the federal standard cited by HHS (HIPAA), the FFIEC (GLBA), and the PCI Security Standards Council. A Certificate of Destruction documenting NIST 'Destroy' to 2 mm particle size is accepted as primary evidence of sanitization in regulator audits. Phoenix ITAD's NAID AAA certification provides the independent third-party verification auditors expect.