A device for removing an information-bearing layer of an optical disc comprises a housing defining a first chamber and a second chamber, a mount to selectively mount an optical disc having an information-bearing layer adjacent the first chamber, a cutter within the first chamber, a drive mechanism operatively connected to the cutter, and a passageway between the first and second chambers. The cutter causes the information-bearing layer of the disc to form particulate matter, and the particulate matter is caused to move through the passageway into the second chamber. The resulting particulate matter has a particle size less than about 326 microns to meet the standards of the Department of Defense and NIST for digital data destruction.