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Frequently Asked Questions

The maze of conflicting business needs, property tax laws, environmental and privacy regulations, and other legal issues surrounding computer disposal and recycling has led to many questions. We have provided answers to some of the questions we frequently field about disposal of obsolete computers. You also may contact Technology Recycling directly with your questions or comments at info@techrecycle.com, or (800) 803-5442.

GENERAL QUESTIONS:

1. What exactly does TR do?

  • Technology Recycling disposes of obsolete electronics by destroying the hardware, software and data.

  • The company then takes the resulting materials (glass, metal and plastic) and re-processes them for re-use by industry.
  • Technology Recycling achieve 100 percent of re-processing of materials so NOTHING ends up in a landfill.
  • When companies use Technology Recycling’s services, they eliminate the hidden costs of storing old computers and they receive compliance with various state and federal environmental and privacy laws.

2. What areas does TR service?

  • Technology Recycling offers local pick-up in more than 200 cities throughout the United States.

  • We dispatch centrally from 800 number, so please contact us at (800) 803-5442, to answer any question or to schedule a pick-up.

3. Do you provide the same level of service throughout the nation, to support the multiple locations of national companies?

  • Yes. Technology Recycling has a standardized set of procedures that are implemented in every market in which we operate.
  • Standardized documentation includes certification-of-destruction documentation that can be used to prove compliance with environmental and privacy laws when the company be audited.

4. What are the steps I need to take before Technology Recycling comes out to pick up my old computers?

  • First, develop an inventory of the electronics equipment and log each component by serial number.
  • Then, obtain a quote from Technology Recycling based on the number of components in the queue for disposal.
  • Then, complete a logistics questionnaire supplied by Technology Recycling.
  • Write a check for the amount of the disposal services.

  • Establish a key contact to coordinate the computer pick-up.
  • Schedule a pick-up day for the old electronics with Technology Recycling.
  • Dispatch the old systems to the loading dock, and palletize the systems, if possible (Pile the computers on pallets and shrink wrap them.)

Optional Activity: For extra security and protection of proprietary data on the old computers, company officials can open the systems, strike the hard drive while it’s still on the chassis with a hammer, breaking the actuator arm, and strike the CPU chip and memory chips of flattening them. Another option to preserve security of the data while they are being stored on the dock is to simply drop each central processing unit (CPU) from a height of three feet, before palletizing the systems for pick-up.

5) Do you have drop-off centers?

  • No. To maintain a secure chain of custody, Technology Recycling must pick up the systems on premises and secure them, to preserve the chain of custody and prevent theft of information.

6) What specifically does TR dispose of?

  • We handle disposal of all obsolete electronics, including computer equipment, office equipment, phone systems and more.

7) Who do you serve? What is your market?

  • We serve only businesses at this time.

WHY TECHNOLOGY RECYCLING IS UNIQUE

1) How can Technology Recycling offer guaranteed data destruction?

  • TR can guarantee data destruction because the company destroys all computer equipment, as well as components and parts.

  • We do not resell computers, parts or components.
  • We can certify data destruction because we destroy the old systems and also implement data evaporation©. Data evaporation occurs when the components are heated to 3,000 degrees Fahrenheit. There is simply no way to hack data from melted metal, plastic and glass.

2) Can Technology Recycling handle the disposal of computer monitors and dumb terminals?

  • Yes, Technology Recycling can responsibly dispose of monitors and dumb terminals.
  • Disposing of the plastic, glass and toxic components in computers monitors is more difficult, and there is no inexpensive way to properly dispose of the monitors and the toxic substances contained in them (lead, CFCs, PCBs).

  • For example, tests by the Environmental Protection Agency and Materials for the Future show that 25-35% of the weight in older monitors is attributed to the lead oxide radiation shielding surrounding the glass picture tube.
  • This is why Technology Recycling charges a modest per-unit fee, to make sure the hazardous substances in computers are re-processed and re-used, rather than dumped in landfills.

3) How is Technology Recycling able to dispose of entire computers and office equipment when other recycling companies cannot?

  • Technology Recycling uses a patented technology designed for the express purpose of disposal of hazardous waste found in obsolete electronics.

COST JUSTIFICATION

1) What are the hidden costs of continuing to store of old computers

  • Hidden costs include:
  • Cost of storage.
  • Cost of administration and inventory.

  • Business property taxes in more than 30 states.
  • Cost of securing equipment in storage to comply with new federal privacy laws.
  • Cost of maintaining software licensing on old unused equipment.
  • Cost of potential fines for violations of federal and state regulations that limit the amount of equipment that can be stored by site.

2) Can old computers be economically refurbished?

  • No. It is not economically feasible to refurbish old systems.
  • First, as computer performance levels continue to improve, today’s advances usually cannot be installed on older machines.
  • Second, as operating systems improve, they usually will not run on older machines.
  • Third, as application software advances, these new, more sophisticated software usually will not run on older machines.

  • Finally, there is no way to economically cleanse data from old computers; it is much less expensive to pay to destroy the machine and re-cycle the materials, than it is to cleanse the data from an old system that may not even find a new home.

3) How much does it really cost to refurbish an old computer?

  • It costs between $335-$520 to refurbish computer hardware alone.
  • To properly refurbish a computer, all new software and an operating system must be re-purchased by either the refurbisher or the entity donating/selling the system. Otherwise the original owner is in breach of copyright and has committed software piracy. Of note, the fine for software piracy is $150,000 per application, per machine, per the Business Software Alliance.

  • In addition, you must factor the cost of time/labor and the software required to cleanse a machine. According to analysts at the Gartner Group, the minimum number of overwrites that will cleanse a system is a 35-time overwrite, and that is still not the recommended method.

4) Let’s say that I really want to refurbish my system anyway…what would it cost?

  • A minimal system upgrade from an old Windows or DOS computer to a Windows 2000 system requires a host of new components. The minimum published price of these components in early 2000 averaged:
  • Motherboard + Pentium chip: $100-$150
  • Memory: $65-$100

  • 6-10 gigabyte Disk Drive: $75-$115
  • 56 K Modem: $55-$95
  • CD ROM: $40-$60
  • Total: $335-$520

Why should I have to pay to get rid of my old computer systems?

  • For the past 20 years, companies have been using technology to improve their businesses and generate profits. Thus, they have incurred a responsibility to protect the information they have gathered and properly dispose of the technology that has brought them these profits.
  • Also, the liabilities that can be incurred from improper handling of obsolete electronics includes huge fines and even jail time for senior management.
  • Finally, there are hidden costs that businesses pay if they continue to store old computers; it is more cost-effective in the long run to pay a one-time disposal fee than continue to store old systems.

What is the term of my company’s liability for these systems?

  • Companies that purchase the computer systems are considered the generator of the hazardous waste.
  • And there is no time-based statute of limitations for this liability.
  • Whatever is done with these old units will reflect back to the company until the units have been certified that they have been taken out of service in an environmentally responsible manner, and in a way that protects medical and financial data.

NOTE TO READERS: For more information on alleged cost-savings options associated with donation, refurbishing/reselling and shipping overseas, please see the “Electronics Recycling Options” section of this document.

ENVIRONMENTAL QUESTIONS:

1) Why do obsolete computers pose environmental problems?

  • First, these electronics contain significant quantities of hazardous materials, including lead, cadmium, and arsenic, brominated flame retardants, to name a few. If old computers are dumped in landfills, these materials will leach out and poison air, water, land, animals and humans.
  • Old computers also pose a huge solid waste problem, and the sheer number of old computers that need to be retired and see proper disposal would fill every landfill in the nation.

2) What are the health risks in these hazardous materials in old electronics?

  • The toxic materials in computers can cause death, birth defects, blindness, organ failure, and would be an incredible health expense to the nation if air, water, land, animals and humans are poisoned.

3) How will EPA know that we’re violating laws

  • In many cases, employees and former employees with a conscience and good common sense report significant environmental violations.
  • To report violations to the EPA, contact www.epa.org or gov.
  • In addition, old computers that are dumped into landfills in significant quantities will attract attention. Serial numbers on those old systems will be used to trace the company that did the dumping. Of note, the EPA can fine companies by the day, and the fines are retroactive.

4) What specifically are the laws governing disposal of old electronics/hazardous waste?

  • First and foremost, you should consult with your corporate attorney
  • Companies interested in researching this more should consult the Code of Federal Regulations section 40 for more information.
  • Also, many state that have tougher laws than the EPA provides. Please consult your state EPA office for more information.

5) How big is this problem?

  • There are billions of old computer units that need to see properly disposal.
  • These units not only contain toxic materials; they contain toxic information including personnel information, medical information, company security protocols, and more – all of which needs to be protected.
  • This problem is as large as the total number of PCs, printers, routers, bridge, servers, mainframes and scanners that have been built and shipped since 1980.

ELECTRONICS RECYCLING OPTIONS

Why do computers become obsolete?

Obsolescence for computer happens in three areas:

  • Computers become obsolete because the operating system used to run the computer no longer is supported and therefore cannot function within confines of Internet or today’s advanced networking topographies.
  • The limited capacity and speed of old computers can compromise company networks, and in many cases, simply cannot accommodate the Internet.
  • Application software that’s current requires higher operating system levels than the old equipment can sustain.

Can obsolete computers be donated to schools or non-profit organizations?

  • No. In general, schools are looking the latest and greatest computers, not old, slow machines.
  • New computers are so inexpensive that it’s more cost-effective to buy brand new computers than refurbish old ones.
  • Distributing the data on these old computers to schools breaches privacy and security regulations, and leaves the donors vulnerable because of a lack of proper documentation on what happened to the old systems.

Can old computers be sold?

  • This is a dangerous move, including the return of leased computers. Because of new privacy and security regulations, as well as fiduciary responsibility of the officers of the corporation and potential prison, this is not advisable for any company to pursue this option.

Can old computers be sold overseas?

  • Based on our research, we believe it is both illegal and ill-advised to sell old computers overseas, in the interests of maintaining homeland security.
  • All exported computer technology is subject to regulation by the US Department of Commerce.

  • The power supplies of older machines are not compatible with other power outlet other than those in North America.
  • In addition, the poor people of many of these third World countries often do not have access to power and phone lines, so the foreign entities getting hold of these old computers would more likely be sophisticated people or those with criminal intent, i.e. terrorists, identity theives, con artists, etc.

Can computers be recycled?

  • “Recycling” is a term that’s used loosely to describe everything from donation to refurbishing/re-selling and re-use to disposal.
  • The best model for recycling obsolete electronics is the true disposal of the computer hardware, software and data contained it, along with subsequent re-processing of the materials (glass, metal and plastic) for re-use by industry.

  • Approximately 400 companies in the United States claim to recycle part -- or all -- of old computers. Some of these companies recycle only the most valuable part of the computers they obtain -- the gold and other precious metals contained in printed circuit boards.

What is the best, most responsible and liability-free option for getting rid of old computers?

  • The only risk-free, liability-free option for getting rid of old computers is to destroy them, including the hardware, software and data.
  • Both security experts and industry analysts agree that destruction is the only option that will truly protect data stored on old computers and other electronics.

  • In addition, after destruction of the systems, if materials are re-processed and re-used by industry, this proves the most environmentally responsible option as well.

PRIVACY AND SECURITY QUESTIONS:

How does improper computer disposal contribute to privacy and security breaches?

  • Old computers should be seen, not as high-tech junk, but as repositories of data
  • Data such as employee medical records, non-public financial information, corporate financial documents, R&D and security information all needs to be protected.

  • All data on a computer leaves an electronic footprint that can be accessed by “undelete” software, forensics software or good hacking skills.
  • If a system is donated, dumped, or refurbished and resold, this data remains on the system and can be accessed by those with criminal intent.
  • Identify theft is one of the fastest growing crimes in America, and improper computer disposal contributes greatly to this problem.

What is the best way to protect data?

  • According to government specifications related to GISRA and DITSCAP security guidelines, the only risk-free solution to protecting data on old computers is to destroy the hardware, software and data.
  • This results in data evaporation ©, because the hard drive, memory and CPU are all destroyed, at 3,500 degrees Fahrenheit, by using the Technology Recycling model.

Why do I need to protect financial data?

  • Financial data needs to be protected so that companies can comply with the Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act, and also for the plain common sense of protecting people from identity theft and credit card fraud.

Why does employee and customer medical information need to be protected?

  • Disclosure of medical information, on any level, without authorization, constitutes a felony in many states (criminal law), and also violates HIPAA, which is a strict federal regulation that requires the protection of non-public medical information of employees or patients.

What evidence do I need to satisfy current privacy and security regulations for the protection of data?

You need certified documentation that the data has been destroyed by any of the following methods:

  • Overwriting: In doing this, you must maintain a quality assurance log that the drive was re-installed and tested and there is no residual information left on the system.

  • Degaussing: In doing this, you must maintain a quality assurance log that the drive was re-installed and tested and there is no residual information left on the system.
  • Destruction: You need to have destruction documentation by serial number of what was destroyed, and when it was destroyed.
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