E-Waste Recycling Services
Secure electronics recycling and data destruction for businesses and residents
Certified data destruction (NAID, R2, e-Stewards)
EPA-compliant electronics recycling
Free pickup for large quantities
Certificate of recycling provided
Typical Price Range
$50-$500
per job
Popular E-Waste Recycling Searches
Electronics & E-Waste We Accept
We safely recycle all types of electronic waste:
Computers & Laptops - Desktop computers, towers, all-in-ones, laptops, notebooks, tablets, and computer servers.
Monitors & Displays - CRT monitors, LCD monitors, LED displays, TV screens (all types), projection TVs, and digital signage.
Phones & Mobile Devices - Cell phones, smartphones, tablets, iPads, e-readers, smartwatches, and mobile hotspots.
Printers & Office Equipment - Printers, copiers, scanners, fax machines, shredders, typewriters, and multifunction devices.
Networking Equipment - Routers, modems, switches, hubs, firewalls, servers, network cables, and telecom equipment.
Audio & Video Equipment - Stereos, speakers, amplifiers, receivers, DVD players, VCRs, camcorders, and turntables.
Home Electronics - Microwaves, small appliances with circuit boards, gaming consoles, controllers, and electronic toys.
IT Infrastructure - Servers, UPS systems, power supplies, hard drives, cables, keyboards, mice, and peripheral devices.
Circuit Boards & Components - Motherboards, RAM, processors, graphics cards, power supplies, and electronic components.
Batteries - Laptop batteries, phone batteries, rechargeable batteries, lithium batteries, and battery packs.
Media Storage - External hard drives, USB drives, CDs, DVDs, floppy disks, and backup tapes.
Cables & Accessories - Power cords, charging cables, adapters, docking stations, and electronic accessories.
E-Waste Recycling Costs & Services
E-waste recycling pricing varies based on items and services:
Residential Services: - Small electronics (phones, tablets): Often FREE - Computer/laptop: FREE to $10 per unit - Monitor/TV: $10-$30 per unit (CRTs cost more) - Printer: $5-$15 per unit - Household pickup (bulk items): $50-$150 minimum
Business Services: - IT asset pickup: FREE for 10+ computers - Pallet pricing: $50-$200 per pallet - Server decommissioning: $100-$500 per server - On-site data destruction: $5-$15 per drive - Pickup service: FREE for large quantities
Data Destruction Services: - Hard drive shredding: $5-$15 per drive - On-site shredding (mobile): $15-$25 per drive - Degaussing: $5-$10 per drive - Certificate of destruction: Included with service - Witnessed destruction: Available for compliance
Drop-Off Services: - Community events: Usually FREE - Permanent drop-off centers: FREE to $5 per item - Retail store programs: Usually FREE - No appointment needed
Special Services: - Asset tagging and tracking: $2-$5 per item - IT asset disposition (ITAD): Custom pricing - Remarketing services: May pay you for equipment - Zero-landfill certification: Included - Compliance reporting: Included
What Affects Cost: - Volume of electronics - Pickup required vs. drop-off - Data destruction requirements - Certification needs - Item types (CRTs cost more to recycle) - Location and accessibility - Asset value (working equipment may have value)
Free E-Waste Recycling: Many programs offer free recycling: - Manufacturer take-back programs - Retail store programs (Best Buy, Staples) - Community recycling events - Municipal e-waste collection days - Large quantity business pickups
Data Destruction & Security
Protecting your data during e-waste recycling is critical:
Why Data Destruction Matters: - Old devices retain sensitive information even after "deletion" - Identity theft and data breaches from improperly disposed electronics - Compliance requirements (HIPAA, GLBA, FACTA, GDPR) - Corporate liability and reputation protection - Legal requirements for proper data sanitization
Data Destruction Methods:
Software Wiping (DoD 5220.22-M): - Overwrites data multiple times - Renders data unrecoverable - Most economical method - Requires functional device - Certificate of sanitization provided - Meets most compliance standards
Degaussing: - Powerful magnetic field destroys data - Works on magnetic media (HDDs, tapes) - Renders drive non-functional - Fast and effective - Does NOT work on SSDs - NSA-approved method
Physical Shredding: - Destroys drive into small pieces - Most secure method - Works on all drive types (HDD, SSD) - Meets highest security standards - Provides proof of destruction - Required for top-secret data
On-Site vs. Off-Site Destruction:
On-Site (Mobile Shredding): - Truck comes to your location - Witness destruction in real-time - Maintains chain of custody - Highest security level - Costs $15-$25 per drive - No transport of data off-site
Off-Site (Facility-Based): - Drives transported to secure facility - Video documentation available - Lower cost: $5-$15 per drive - Tracked chain of custody - Secure transport in locked containers
Certifications & Standards: - NAID AAA Certification (data destruction) - R2 (Responsible Recycling) - e-Stewards certification - ISO 27001 (information security) - SOC 2 compliance - FISMA compliant
Compliance Requirements:
HIPAA (Healthcare): - Must render data unrecoverable - Document destruction processes - Use certified vendors only - Maintain chain of custody - Keep certificates for 6+ years
GLBA (Financial Services): - Dispose of consumer information properly - Use reasonable safeguards - Vendor due diligence required - Document disposal methods
FACTA (Fair Credit Reporting Act): - Properly dispose of consumer reports - Shred, burn, or pulverize records - Hire certified disposal companies
Best Practices: - Never throw electronics in trash - Remove batteries before recycling - Back up important data first - Use certified recyclers only - Get certificates of destruction - Maintain disposal records - Implement corporate e-waste policy - Train employees on proper disposal
E-Waste Recycling Process
Professional e-waste recycling follows strict environmental and security protocols:
Step 1: Collection - Schedule pickup or use drop-off location - Free pickup often available for businesses - Community events and permanent locations - Retail take-back programs - Mail-in programs for small items
Step 2: Intake & Documentation - Items inventoried and documented - Asset tags recorded for tracking - Weight and item counts logged - Chain of custody established - Preliminary sort by category
Step 3: Data Destruction - Hard drives removed and processed - Software wiping, degaussing, or shredding - SSDs and flash media destroyed - Witness available for secure items - Certificate of destruction issued
Step 4: Testing & Sorting - Functional items tested for reuse potential - Working equipment set aside for remarketing - Broken items sorted by material type - Hazardous components identified - Materials categorized for processing
Step 5: Dismantling - Manual disassembly of devices - Components separated by material - Hazardous materials isolated (batteries, mercury) - Valuable materials extracted (gold, copper, silver) - Plastics sorted by resin type
Step 6: Processing & Recycling - Metals sent to smelters for recovery - Plastics pelletized for new products - Glass recycled for new screens or construction - Circuit boards processed for precious metals - Batteries sent to battery recyclers
Step 7: Material Recovery Materials recovered from e-waste: - Copper (wiring, circuit boards) - Aluminum (casings, heat sinks) - Gold (circuit boards, connectors) - Silver (circuit boards, contacts) - Platinum and palladium (circuit boards) - Steel (frames, screws, brackets) - Plastics (casings, components) - Glass (screens, displays)
Step 8: Disposal of Non-Recyclables - Minimal waste to landfill - Hazardous materials properly disposed - EPA-compliant disposal methods - Documentation of disposal - Zero-landfill certified programs available
Step 9: Reporting & Certification - Certificate of recycling issued - Detailed manifests provided - Weight and item documentation - Compliance reports for regulations - Asset disposition reports for businesses
Environmental Benefits: - Prevents toxic materials from landfills - Recovers valuable materials for reuse - Reduces mining for virgin materials - Saves energy (recycling vs. new production) - Prevents soil and water contamination - Reduces greenhouse gas emissions
What Happens to Your Electronics: - 85-95% of materials are recovered and recycled - Working equipment may be refurbished and resold - Precious metals recovered for new electronics - Plastics become new products - Minimal waste sent to landfill
E-Waste Regulations & Compliance
Electronic waste is regulated to prevent environmental harm:
Federal Regulations:
EPA Resource Conservation & Recovery Act (RCRA): - Regulates hazardous e-waste disposal - CRT monitors contain lead (hazardous) - Requires proper handling and disposal - Prohibits landfill disposal of hazardous e-waste
EPA Universal Waste Rule: - Streamlines hazardous waste management - Covers batteries, lamps, mercury devices - Easier compliance for electronics - Allows longer storage times
State E-Waste Laws:
25+ States Have E-Waste Recycling Laws: - Manufacturer take-back requirements - Landfill bans on electronics - Consumer recycling mandates - Retailer collection requirements
California (SB 20): - Electronic Waste Recycling Act - Covers monitors, TVs, laptops, tablets - Retailers collect recycling fee at sale - Free drop-off for consumers - Strict export restrictions
New York: - Electronic Equipment Recycling Act - Manufacturers must provide free recycling - Landfill and incinerator ban - Covers TVs, computers, peripherals
Washington: - E-Cycle Washington program - Manufacturer-funded recycling - Free for residents and small businesses - Covers computers, monitors, TVs
Corporate Compliance Requirements:
Data Privacy Laws: - HIPAA (healthcare data) - GLBA (financial data) - FACTA (consumer reports) - GDPR (European data - applies to US companies) - State privacy laws (CCPA in California)
Required Certifications for Recyclers: - R2 (Responsible Recycling) Certification - e-Stewards Certification - ISO 14001 (environmental management) - NAID AAA (data destruction)
Export Restrictions: - Basel Convention compliance - EPA export rules - Prohibits export of hazardous e-waste - Requires tracking and documentation - Certified recyclers ensure compliance
Why Use Certified Recyclers: - EPA-compliant disposal methods - Proper data destruction - No illegal exports to developing countries - Environmental protection - Legal liability protection - Documentation for audits - Meet corporate sustainability goals
Penalties for Non-Compliance: - EPA fines up to $50,000 per day - State penalties vary - Data breach liability (millions in damages) - Loss of business licenses - Reputational damage - Civil and criminal charges
Best Practices for Businesses: - Implement e-waste policy - Use only certified recyclers - Require certificates of recycling - Document all disposals - Train employees on proper disposal - Include in sustainability reporting - Conduct regular audits - Review recycler certifications annually
Benefits of E-Waste Recycling
Proper e-waste recycling provides significant benefits:
Environmental Protection: - Prevents toxic materials from landfills - Lead, mercury, cadmium kept out of soil/water - Reduces air pollution from burning - Conserves natural resources - Reduces mining for virgin materials - Saves energy (recycling uses 2-10% of mining energy) - Reduces greenhouse gas emissions - Protects wildlife and ecosystems
Material Recovery: - 1 million recycled laptops saves energy equal to powering 3,500 homes for a year - 1 million recycled phones yields 35,000 lbs of copper, 772 lbs of silver, 75 lbs of gold - Rare earth elements recovered for new electronics - Plastics recycled into new products - Glass reused in screens or construction
Data Security: - Protects against identity theft - Prevents data breaches - Compliance with regulations - Protects corporate reputation - Eliminates liability - Peace of mind
Economic Benefits: - Creates recycling industry jobs - Generates revenue from recovered materials - Reduces disposal costs - Tax deductions for donations (working equipment) - Asset recovery for functioning equipment - Lower manufacturing costs (recycled materials)
Community Benefits: - Refurbished equipment donated to schools, nonprofits - Digital divide reduction - Job training programs - Cleaner environment - Reduced health risks - Sustainable communities
Corporate Benefits: - Meet ESG (Environmental, Social, Governance) goals - Improve corporate sustainability ratings - Attract environmentally-conscious customers - Employee satisfaction and pride - Regulatory compliance - Risk mitigation - Positive brand reputation - Marketing and PR benefits
Facts About E-Waste: - 50+ million tons of e-waste generated globally per year - Only 20% is properly recycled - E-waste is fastest-growing waste stream - Americans discard 416,000 mobile devices daily - Average US household has 24 electronic devices - E-waste contains valuable materials worth $62.5 billion annually - Recycling 1 million laptops saves electricity for 3,657 homes for a year
Health Benefits: - Prevents toxic exposure to communities - Reduces heavy metal contamination - Cleaner air and water - Reduced cancer risks - Protection of children's health - Safer working conditions
How You Can Help: - Recycle all electronics properly (never trash) - Use certified recyclers - Donate working equipment - Support right-to-repair legislation - Buy refurbished electronics when possible - Extend device lifespan - Choose manufacturers with take-back programs - Educate others about e-waste recycling
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does e-waste recycling cost?
Many e-waste recycling services are FREE, especially for computers, phones, and small electronics. Drop-off is usually free at community events and retail stores. CRT monitors and TVs may cost $10-$30 due to hazardous materials. Business pickups are often free for large quantities (10+ items).
How do I protect my data when recycling electronics?
Use certified data destruction services that provide certificates. Options include software wiping (overwrites data), degaussing (magnetic field), or physical shredding (most secure). Never just "delete" files. Certified recyclers with NAID, R2, or e-Stewards certification ensure proper data destruction.
Where can I recycle electronics for free?
Free options include: manufacturer take-back programs (Apple, Dell, HP), retail stores (Best Buy, Staples), community recycling events, municipal drop-off centers, and large-quantity business pickups. Many certified recyclers offer free drop-off or pickup for bulk electronics.
What happens to recycled electronics?
After data destruction, devices are dismantled and sorted. Metals (copper, gold, silver) are recovered, plastics are pelletized for new products, and glass is recycled. 85-95% of materials are recovered. Working equipment may be refurbished. Minimal waste goes to landfills.
Can I recycle broken electronics?
Yes! Broken electronics should definitely be recycled. They still contain valuable materials (metals, plastics) that can be recovered even if non-functional. Never throw broken electronics in trash due to hazardous materials like lead, mercury, and cadmium.
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