Q: If my electronics are going to be recycled, why don't I just give them to a charity?
A: You could, but many schools and charities won't even accept old computer and electronics. Consumers hold onto their devices beyond their useful life. New software requiring newer operating systems, the slower speeds of older computers, and the unreliability of older electronics make them undesirable, even for charities. You should wipe the operating system before considering donation to a charity.
Q: My old electronics have no value, why can't I just throw them away?
A: In Minnesota, and many other states, it is illegal to dispose of obsolete electronics. Electronic equipment contains significant quantities of hazardous materials, including lead, cadmium, and even mercury. If landfilled these materials will leach out and contaminate our environment. Recycling routes materials back to use instead of the trash. E-waste is one of the fastest growing waste streams in the U.S. It's good for the environment to reduce hazardous products entering our landfills and also reducing the need to mine more minerals.
Q: What happens to the equipment?
A: Monitors are disassembled and shipped to processors. Unfortunately, many collectors and recyclers get rid of their monitors with little or no knowledge of where they end up. Many make their way to landfills both in U.S. and overseas. At E Cycling Solutions we know where our electronics are going and practice responsible downstream tracking. Some components and usable equipment get remarketed for additional reuse. This is always the most responsible solution in recycling. The remaining parts are disassembled and shipped to processors who then break them down to raw materials for reuse. Our downstream partners share the same passion for responsible recycling as we do.
Q: How do I know who is qualified to take my electronics?
A: You may want to ask recyclers these questions to determine the if their a suitable company to take your electronics
1. What are you doing with the electronics I'm giving you and the data stored on my computer?
2. Can you provide me with a certificate of destruction for the information left on my hard drive?
3. Do you recycle everything or specialize in electronic recycling?
4. Can you guarantee my electronics won't eventually make their way overseas as garbage?
5. Will my electronics be stored in a secure facility before recycling?
A visit to the recyclers location is always a good idea. See a list of our current drop locations.
Q: What does an electronics recycler do?
A: The electronics recycling process can be broken into 3 groups. First you have the Collector, the collector gathers the electronics from businesses and residents. Then you have the recycler, the recycler disassembles the electronics and then sorts them into groups of plastics, glass, metals, circuit boards, etc. Finally you have the processor, the processor refines the components using various methods to bring it back to its raw material state, ready to be reused. E Cycling Solutions is referred to as a collector / recycler. After we disassemble the electronics, we ship them to processors who bring the material back to it's original raw form.
Q: Can you erase the information left on my computer?
A: Valuable information on your hard drives should be a concern. E Cycling Solutions provides its customers with both software and physical data destruction services. We destroy the confidential information left on your computers hard drive. We can even provide you with a certificate of destruction at your request. A data destruction fee applies (see recycling fees).
Electronics Reycling Questions & Answers
Toll Free =1 (866)-775-5416
(651) - 815 - 0423
(320) - 356 - 8630
Fax = (651) 964 - 4408
Computer and electronics recycling solutions
E Cycling Solutions
10544 Liberty lane
Chisago City, MN 55013
