Monday, April 18, 2011

Making Connections for Better Business

National Small Business Week Day 1Image by ShashiBellamkonda via FlickrBusiness, any business, depends on people and making connections with people is vital to any e-scrap company. I have learned over the years that making these connections is fairly easy and they can pay off in a big way.

For those of us in the e-scrap business it is imperative to make connections with people that make decisions on obsolete and out of date electronics.

Case and point was one of the first clients we ever picked up. We sent out our first round of letters to a few smaller towns south of our location. One of them ended up in the hands of a small computer repair shop owner who happened to also be the IT director for a large automotive factory. The factory had recently upgraded all of their electronics and they needed to get rid of the old.

So we ended up getting the factory, his computer shop and also a computer shop that is owned by a friend of his. All of this with just one letter.

This is just one example of how building relationships can pay off in a big way.

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Sunday, April 17, 2011

Recycled Computer Monitors

Computer monitors, especially CRT ones, contain leaded glass, which means it is specifically banned from disposal in landfills. In fact, according to federal laws, it is a crime to dump more than 22o pounds of electronic equipment in a landfill. The problem of disposal is exacerbated by the fact that hundreds of thousands of computer monitors and other computer parts are junked every year in the United States.
While the leaded glass face may be the largest and most visible component of a computer monitor, it also contains lead solder, copper wiring and plating, palladium, silver and a small quantity of gold. While some of these junked computers can be repaired and given to schools or other needy organizations in developing countries, most of them can be recycled back into leaded glass, copper, ABS plastic, gold, etc.
There are quite a few benefits that can accrue from recycling computer monitors. One major advantage is saving money, because donating the monitor to an individual or organization will not only save disposal costs but may also earns the donator a tax break. The second advantage relates to the fact that computer monitors contain several pounds of lead, which is a toxic substance. When broken in landfills or incinerated, they release lead into the environment, thereby transforming them into hazardous waste. Another advantage is that by donating old computer monitors, one provides social benefits to organizations or individuals who desperately need monitors but cannot afford new ones. The fourth advantage is that recycling diverts computer monitors from filling up landfills, which they easily do because of their bulk.
At the computer monitor recycling facility, the cathode ray tubes in the monitors are first removed. The plastics and electronics and them removed, separated and sent for proper recycling. A hole is then drilled in the vacuum or the trigger is twisted off so that the vacuum can be released. The external straps are all removed, the tubes are placed inside metal containers and the glass is then cracked to remove the inside shield. The glass is then sent to be washed and recycled.
Computer Monitors provides detailed information on Computer Monitors, LCD Computer Monitors, Flat Screen Computer Monitors, Cheap Computer Monitors and more. Computer Monitors is affiliated with Custom Desktop Computers.

Necessity of Monitor Recycling

Recycling old monitors has become significantly apparent due to a dramatic increase in various hazardous chemicals every year. Millions of computers are made obsolete, thrown away and replaced every year which has resulted into piling up sheer amount of poisonous electronic wastes. A variety of equipments in old monitors, especially in CRTs, contain several hazardous materials that cause fatal diseases and have negative impact on environment. A monitor's solid glass screen contains up to four to eight pounds of lead, high amount of cadmium, mercury, and flame-retardant chemicals. If these chemicals are disposed off in landfill, they can contaminate soil, groundwater and air and the consequences could be deadly to the inhabitants of the region. Exposure to such chemicals may create significant respiratory problems, damage nervous system, and can cause developmental issues among children. Other issues include high blood pressure, insomnia, irritability, nausea, headache and lethargy. These bioaccumulative chemicals accumulate in different parts of organs and gradually damage the normal body functioning, hormone system and memory.
According to an estimate, by the end of 2010, about 3 billion monitors and computers will become outdated. Considering the worst case scenario, recycling computer monitors can significantly subside the consequences. The current rate of recycling requires to be improved for environmental benefits, economic advantages and related health issues. Recycling also reduces the necessity of spending original raw materials and energy that significantly diminishes air pollution (through burning), water and soil pollution (through landfill).
With the rapid advancement of technology, recycling and modifying computer parts have become far easier. The users should be aware of its dangerous consequences and the importance of recycling computer monitor and various other electronic components. Users are advised to keep using the same monitor until it functions properly or they have advanced requirements. If changing monitor is unavoidable, they can donate it to some charitable schools or Churches; or call some reputed recyclers such as ARS services who have the technology as well as accountability to deal with such electronic hazards.
Every responsible citizen should be determined to save the global environment and understand the value of "reduce, reuse and recycle"


Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/5038813

Computer Monitor Recycling and Its Importance

A computer has many toxic materials that can make more harm to the environment if not disposed of properly. Even the monitor contains toxic materials that has to be recycled for more reasons than one.
The main reason for the importance of monitor recycling is that the older monitors were CRT or cathode ray tubes monitors. The important components like lead in the monitor required for its operation is also hazardous and toxic. This lead is mixed into the monitor glass to provide a radiation shield to the electron gun for maximum optical quality of the glass.
However if not disposed of properly, this lead can seep into the soil and groundwater. Through monitor recycling, the lead can be reused to minimize mining of the materials and consequently, protect the environment.
Computer monitor recycling methods
There are various options available for monitor recycling and to prevent your monitor from reaching a landfill.
1) Before you actually think if recycling the monitor, if it is in working condition, you could donate it to a charitable organization. This is applicable only if the monitor is in working condition and not if it is old or if it does not work.
2) Look to your local state, city or country government for help and information on monitor recycling. Some states have an environmental protection department that can help you here. However some states also have limits on the number of monitors they can recycle in a month while some states offer computer recycling at a certain time every month.
3) There are some companies that specialize in monitor recycling, and which accept monitors for recycling purposes. Check your telephone directory for this information.
4) Some companies also let you recycle old monitors and equipment when you buy a new one from them. Though you may have to pay a small fee, it improves the safety of your environment.
Once again, if you cannot afford the fee, there are some recycling agencies that are more than ready to waiver these fees as they prefer monitor recycling than letting a monitor reach the landfill.
Altr-Binc is a Houston Electronic Recycling> company offering recycling services for business in around Houston, TX.


Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/5292142

The Benefits of Saving Metal in Recycling Electronics

As technology progresses, it isn't a surprise that electronic waste has been becoming more of an issue. Among these concerns is the proper disposal of metal. Recycling seems to be a very viable option, though, as companies offering it would know the proper way to dispose of the heavy metal materials inside of electronics. Not to mention that within electronics, there are also precious non-ferrous metals that can be recycled for future use.
When electronics are disposed of in landfills, there is the chance of contamination due to material in electronic scrap components. In fact, the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has included computer parts such as CRT monitors in its category of "hazardous household waste". Unfortunately, some companies and households dispose of their electronics carelessly, not knowing that there must be careful steps in the handling of such wastes to prevent cases of heavy metal contamination.
Companies looking to recycle their electronics should find themselves the right recycling center to handle it. This is because not all these centers may have the facilities to deal with the presence of heavy metals such as lead, cadmium, or mercury. But it isn't all about saving metal from causing contamination. Often, companies recycle their equipment to better their bottom line.
The benefits of having electronic waste properly processed far outweigh the task of finding the right company for the job. Aside from benefiting the company's bottom line and reducing the fees for landfill disposal, the company also gets to safely process metal which recycling centers have the capacity to handle.
Resource Box:
FreeRecyclingQuotes.com offers companies and homes a simpler way to find metal recycling companies to meet their needs. Through a simple free quote requesting service, clients can find electronics recycling and other specific recycling services to meet their requirements. Learn more at FreeRecyclingQuotes.com or call 817-946-5655.


Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/5500645

What is Computer Gold Recycling?

If you have ever seen the inside of a computer, you would have noticed the metal inside. You also know that your home computer or office computer is not going to last forever. At some point it is going to quit, become outdated, or start slowing down and will have to be replaced. When you are ready to buy a new computer, you will have to figure out how to get rid of your old computer. The best thing you can do is recycle your old computer.
As you know, metal is a large part of your computer's interior so you have a lot of metal that is recyclable. You may not know that your computer actually has a very valuable metal component. There is gold in your computer's circuitry and electronics. Computer gold recycling is a big part of the computer recycling industry and electronics recycling industry. You won't find a ton of gold in your computer but there is enough to make it worthwhile to take part in gold recycling and do your part for the environment.
Gold is something that occurs naturally underground and is brought to the surface through mining. The type of mining that is used for gold, strip mining, does a lot of damage to the environment. Computer recycling can help protect the environment and all of us who live here by reducing the amount of gold mining that is needed. If we all make sure that our old computers were disposed of properly and participated in electronic recycling, we could make a big difference for the environment.
Not only can you participate, you can recycle gold found in unused jewelry, coins and even the fillings in your teeth. More people participate in computer gold recycling, though, than these kinds of recycling. People want to hang on to jewelry and coins with sentimental value. Many items that contain gold are actually special things passed down from generation to generation. The best opportunity the average person has for recycling gold is computer gold recycling.
You can participate when disposing of old computer but you can also do more. Many people are not aware of the opportunity because they don't know there is gold in there to recycle. You can help the environment by talking to people you know about and encouraging them to participate in these programs. There are many computer recycling facilities around the country that will recycle your computer at no cost to you.
Did you find this article on computer gold recycling useful? You can get more info on Pollution, Recycling, Sustainable Development related topics at http://caringforenvironment.com/.


Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/2411106

How Gold is Used in Electronics

Gold is amongst the earliest elements discovered by the humankind. It has the atomic symbol "Au". With the passage of time, people have found several uses of gold in a wide range of fields due to its splendidly unique attributes. Its diversified characteristics make it stand out amongst other elements. It is easy to work with, which is why it is used for several purposes.
Gold happens to be a good conductor of electricity; it is non-toxic and does not tarnish. Gold has the ability to easily be molded into thin sheets. It can make allows with other metals. These are the hidden characteristics. When it comes to appearance, gold still excels in being an eminent element. It has been able to gain a special position in the mind framework of the humankind.
Due to its unique and exceptional properties, gold has been used for several purposes. Human beings have managed to use gold in medicine, gadgets, food, drinks, industry, aerospace, jewellery and even electronics. The qualities of gold regarding high conductivity and prevention against erosion have made its consumption popular in the field of electronics.
Gold is mostly used in the electronics field to serve the purpose of plating contacts in switched, relays, and connectors. It is also used in electrical wiring for applications that need immense amounts of energy. The use of gold in electronics is perhaps the most important industrial use of gold.
Significantly, low amount of voltage and current is used when it comes to solid-state electronic devices; this is usually hindered by erosion. Since gold can avoid erosion, it is used to cater this purpose. It is an efficient conductor of electricity, and can carry the current with much ease, without encountering corrosion as an obstacle. Gold is also used in soldered joints, connecting wires, and connecting strips.
All sophisticated electronic items use certain amount of gold. You will find gold in cell phones, calculators, personal digital assistants, global positioning system units, and some different small electronic appliances and devices. Gold is also consumed in the manufacturing of several standard desktop and laptop computers.
It helps to transmit the digital information with extreme accuracy and speed. This transmission is done from one component to the other one. The transmission requires a dependable and effective conductor to carry out this task, which is why gold is used. It fully meets these conditions. The significance of good quality and performance that can be relied upon covers the high cost.
Gold can also be found in edge connectors. These are used to put the microprocessors and memory chips on to the motherboard, and the plug and socket connectors, which are attached to the cables or wires. Gold is heavily used for gold plating on other substances. Furthermore, gold can be mixed with other metals like nickel, and cobalt to produce strong alloys with augmented durability. Gold is also used in some medical equipment and serves the humankind in several different ways.
Jack Wagon is a gold investment consultant. You can take his help to buy gold bullion. For more information about buying gold you can visit his recommended website at http://www.goldmadesimple.com/


Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/3056734

Our E-Waste Dilemma - How to Responsibly Dispose of Old Electronics

There is no quick and easy answer to the question of what to do with all of our throw-away electronics, but one thing is for sure - it is an ever-growing issue and we all need to act responsibly with the disposal of our E-waste.
According to Stateline.org an online publication and independent element of the Pew Research Center: There is no precise estimate of how much E-waste is piling up in the nation's landfills, but the National Safety Council estimates that 500 million defunct computers and monitors will be discarded by 2007. California's environmental protection agency estimates 6 million monitors are stacked in state homes and offices waiting to be tossed.
We cannot just toss these items into the garbage and forget about them, and here is why. All of our electronic components contain varying levels of toxic substances, such as mercury, lead and polyvinyl chloride, just to name a few, which will leach out into our groundwater, if they end up in landfills.
The electronic age is here to stay, so what are we to do with the inevitable, and growing collection of broken or out-dated equipment?
Federal and State environmental laws are being written and revised to include guidelines for correct disposal of electronic equipment that is at or near the end of its useful life. In California, the Electronic Waste Recycling Act of 2003 (SB20 / SB50) establishes a funding system for the collection and recycling of certain electronic wastes. The California Integrated Waste Management Board has adopted regulations to implement portions of the statute.
~ Key elements of the Electronic Waste Recycling Act include:
~ Reduction in hazardous substances used in certain electronic products sold in California.
~ Collection of an electronic waste recycling fee at the point of sale of certain products.
~ Distribution and recovery of recycling payments to qualified entities covering the cost of electronic waste collection and recycling.
~ Directive to recommend environmentally preferred purchasing criteria for state agency purchases of certain electronic equipment.
For the individual and small business consumer this program is intended to enhance the availability of convenient recycling options so that products containing toxic compounds are not disposed of inappropriately.
The dilemma arises as the richer countries pass legislation regulating the disposal of
E-waste, and the "recycling" business turns out to be more of an "export" business to third-world countries. An ABC News 20/20 segment on Jan 1, 2006, reported that
80% of scrap electronics from the US ends up offshore, where workers extract the few desirable parts and leave the rest in mountains of plastic and twisted parts to pollute the environment. There are also issues of worker safety in these so-called recycling plants.
Employee safety concerns are substandard, and in many cases, workers are unaware of the hazards they are being exposed to.
So, just what is the right thing to do, you ask.
Reduce -
Be responsible about your purchases.
Maybe you can up-grade your computer, rather than toss it and buy a new one.
Purchase from responsible manufacturers. Dell, HP and Apple offer free take back and recycling programs.
Reuse -
Donate equipment that is still functioning to non-profit organizations, schools or churches.
Recycle -
Items that cannot be repaired can be recycled through reputable companies.
Before you donate, or recycle your PC or cell phone be sure to clear the memory of any personal data. Simply deleting the files from your desktop does not clear the hard drive. There are software programs to overwrite the disk, you can reformat the hard drive and re-install the operating system, or the more drastic route is to physically destroy the hard drive by removing it from the housing unit and smashing it with a hammer.
E-waste is the fastest growing part of municipal waste streams, and rising almost three times faster than the overall waste stream, according to the EPA. We, the purchasing public, need to not only be aware of the consequences of our consumer driven culture, but be responsible for our individual contribution to the problem, and be willing to step up to the plate to do the right thing.
The following is a partial list of items that should NOT go into the garbage can:
Fluorescent lamps & bulbs, including CFLs (compact fluorescent lights)
ALL batteries
Computer monitors and TV sets
Computer hard drive
Printers & Fax Machines
Cell phones
VCRs
Radios
Microwaves
Cordless phones
Telephone answering machines
Some communities offer Hazardous Waste Recycling events once or twice a year, which makes the disposal of these items easy and safe. Call your city offices or go online and research the donation, recycling or disposal options for your area. Also, visit your State's website for information about laws and regulations that may apply to you and your business.
For those of you with an entrepreneurial spirit, this may look like an opportunity - to develop solutions that are earth-friendly and people-friendly. We need convenient and safe disposal for even the laziest of us consumers.
While this is a vast and complex issue, if each one of us makes the effort to be as educated as possible, understand the power of our purchasing choices, one by one we do have enormous impact. Visit the web sites below for more in depth information and resources for the proper disposal of your E-waste.
Resources
California Integrated Waste Management Board [http://www.ciwmb.ca.gov/Electronics]
The Computer Take Back Campaign http://www.computertakeback.com/


Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/496691

What is Electronic Waste?

Modern technology provides society with many conveniences, from Wi-Fi enabled cell phones and ever-smaller laptop computers that make our entire lives portable to energy-efficient washers and dryers that use half the power and time to complete their tasks. However, these new toys and gadgets leave behind them a wake of outdated, unwanted contraptions.
It's all electronic waste and it includes everything from empty printer ink cartridges to broken refrigerators. As people purchase new items to replace aging electronics or make upgrades, more electronic waste is generated. In some cases, such as 2009's switch from analog to digital television broadcasting in the United States, changes in technology are so great that old equipment may not even work at all with new systems.
There are many reasons why it is important to recycle electronic waste. Much of the material used to construct electronics, including metal and plastic components, can be recycled into new items at a fraction of the cost and energy use needed to create things from new raw materials. Additionally, many electronics contain toxic substances that are harmful to the environment and could be catastrophic if leached into an area's groundwater. For example, television tubes contain mercury, which is known to be extremely poisonous. When properly recycled, electronic waste is stripped of all toxins and other harmful materials, which is then properly and safely disposed of. Because of these environmental concerns, many areas require by law that electronic waste be properly recycled.
The availability of electronic waste recycling programs varies from place to place. Some municipalities may provide such services to area residents. In some areas, annual collections are held once or twice a year as a means of disposing of electronic waste as well as used engine oil or other waste that is harmful to the environment. When purchasing new appliances that are being delivered, retailers like Sears often offer free removal of the appliance that is being replaced. Since some appliances, such as refrigerators, cannot be disposed of without costly removal of hazardous substances, this saves you not only time but money as well! Other retailers, like Best Buy, also offer electronic waste recycling programs to their customers.
There are also some good alternatives to recycling your electronic waste. Any items that are in working condition can be given to friends or donated to charities like Goodwill or the Salvation Army, who rely heavily on donations. Freecycling, or passing on your unwanted items to those in need of them, is also a means of finding new homes for used items. Websites like Craigslist and Freecycle.org are good places to list any usable items you would like to give away. Interested parties can contact you to ask any questions they may have about your items and to arrange picking up their new treasures.
Electronic waste recycling helps preserve the environment by reducing the amount of toxic materials placed in landfills and salvaging recyclable components to save energy and other resources. Contact your local government officials or waste management companies for details on any e-waste recycling programs in your area.
Darla Blackmon writes about the environment and eco-topics at http://www.everythinglongbeach.com/, a community website that covers local news, events and health. Visit the site to learn about Long Beach recycling and how the Southern California city is going green.


Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/3509573

E-Waste Recycling

E-Waste is electronics that are no longer being used and must disposed of. This consists of things like monitors, keyboards, phones, batteries and all other sorts of electronics. All these electronics must go somewhere and too often they are disposed of improperly in places like landfills. Recycling this e-waste is one way to not only keep our planet cleaner but conserve its natural resources as well. Recycling your e-waste is extremely important for many reasons.
Recycling your electronics properly is something that is very important, and for many different reasons. One of these reasons is that it helps to eliminate health and other environmental hazards. When electronics are disposed into a landfill instead of recycled toxic metals are able to seep into the soil and cause damage in all different sorts of ways. These toxins that seep from the metals in electronics have to ability too not only contaminate the soil that they are in but nearby sources of water as well. This contamination of the soil and water causes various health problems and pollutes the atmosphere as well.
Another reason that e-Waste should be recycled is because it helps conserve our planets natural resources. Our planets resources are very limited and once they have been used up they are gone forever. When e-waste is recycled it cuts back on the amount of them that must be used, especially when using materials that have been recycled could have preserved those natural sources. Preserving our planets natural resources is very important because it helps to ensure that generations after us will have the same access to them as we do. Recycling e-waste is one way to make that happen.
Keeping toxic materials out of our soil and preserving our planets resources are very good reasons to recycle your e-waste. Another reason that recycling e-waste is so important is because it saves energy. For example, when aluminum is being recycled for a product 95% less energy is used than if the same product was made with "virgin" materials. This allows us to save our planets limited materials in many different ways at once.
Recycling e-waste is extremely important for many reasons. There are all sorts of different reasons that someone should be doing their part by recycling electronics. Whether it is keeping pollution of our environment down or to conserve our planets natural resources. Recycling e-Waste is just one more way to do your part to help preserve our planet for the generations to come.

Friday, April 15, 2011

Plastics, Plastics is the Way to Go

RulerImage via WikipediaThere is one thing that many in the e-waste business have to deal with is the plastic. Most of the computers and electronics in the world have some level of plastic on them. It is not all that easy to find a place that will accept the plastics.

When I first started I was using our city's recycling program to deal with the plastics. But it did not take long before the recycling guys decided that they did not want to pick up all that plastic. So I was stuck with finding something else. It was only later that I found out that the recycling guys were nearly fired for refusing to pick up the plastic because it is valuable for recycling.

Anyway it took me three days to find a place that would accept the plastic but I did not deal with them. The main reason is the fact that they were rude. When I call a company I expect to be treated as a customer should be but this was not the case.

About a week later I found a little known company that was less than an hour away from my shop. When I contacted them they were more than happy to help me with just about everything that I needed.

The fact about plastics is that they sell most times for just about the same per pound as standard steel, like the metal that is used in computer towers. The basic plastic that is used is known as ABS but some other kinds are used from time to time.

About the only thing that one must do is ensure that the plastics are separated by grade and type. The company that I am doing business with provides equipment to help with this separation.

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Why E-Waste is a Great Business Model

Pile of e-Waste / Electronic waste: A few olde...Image via WikipediaMany people question me about the company that I run. They have it stuck in their minds that e-waste is not going to last and that there is very little money in it. They simply cannot wrap their minds around the fact that e-waste is a long term and highly lucrative business model.

Why? Well it is quite simple. For years consumers have been dealing with the fact that technology advances so fast that by the time someone has made a purchase of a computer or television there is something new on the market.

While there are people that just deal with the fact that they are behind the curve a little, there are others that have to be right up there with the best and the brightest. It is the second group that makes e-waste a great business model.

The more technology advances the more obsolete other technology becomes. When technology becomes obsolete people tend to get rid of it and that is great for those that are working in e-waste.

This trend is never going to change either. Electronics companies around the world continue to research and develop new technology that will be introduced to the masses. This is something that is making my job much easier and even more lucrative.

But this does not mean that e-waste is an easy business, the exact opposite actually. While there is not a lot of brain power necessary to tear down computers and electronics it can be a lot of hard work and heavy lifting.

When I started in this industry one of my first clients was a huge automotive factory. They had recently upgraded all of their computer systems and they had a good and plenty to get rid of. I had the right size vehicle for the job but I was the only one that could lift the items. So for two hours I loaded the van full of computers and monitors as well as other assorted items.

Then I had to get it back to the shop, unload it out of the van and stack it up until it could be processed. In the meantime my wife had already lined up three other pickups. So I was already behind when I started and there was plenty more work to do.

So it can be hard work but I find it very rewarding and there is nothing wrong with a hard days work to be sure.
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Just like wine, older is better

Besides owning and operating an e-scrap company I am also a writer. Back when I first started writing I was sending out query letters to various agents around the country trying to generate some interest. Most of the responses were negative but one took it a bit further. You see, I am a humorist by nature and love to write things that will make people laugh. Well one agent replied that while he would be willing to read my book he noted that selling humor was like trying to sell old computers.

He made the entire statement sound insulting but in it was a bit of knowledge that he was not trying to give.

What I have learned over the years is that older computers are much better for anyone that is trying to make a buck, especially in e-scrap.

Lets take a look at why older is better....

First and foremost, many older computers contain higher quantities of gold and other precious metals. When gold became a widely used material in electronics the companies had yet to discover that it could be pounded into a micro thin layer. As such they were using higher amounts to ensure that the connections were secure.

This is exactly why many e-scrap companies actively seek out the older models. The older the model the better chance of getting high gold content.

Furthermore, the older computers from the 1970's and 1980's were made better than their contemporary counterparts of this day and age. I heard one computer tech say that new computers are simply throw away models. They have dropped so far in price that they are much easier for many people to afford. As such many choose to simply buy a new computer rather than paying to have their current model fixed.

But during the older days this was not the case. Some personal computers were selling for $10,000 or more. They were a major investment and not something that the average person was able to afford. Not only that, they were made to last. When you find an old computer it is not uncommon for it to still run despite the fact that it is 30 years old. They were made to run and run they did.

Now, old computers are valuable in two different ways.

First off they are valued for their high precious metal content. BUT, I do not scrap an older computer until I have tested it and checked on its overall value.

Older computers have become collectors items and many of the collectors are willing to pay high prices to add a new piece to their collection. This is especially true if the item is in working order or at the very least complete.

The above picture is the Osborne 1, a highly coveted machine in the collectible computers world. This unit was considered the first real portable computer for the market. Prices for this unit can reach the tens of thousands of dollars for the right collector, especially if it still functions.

Of course who can forget the old Apple computers. Apple designed and marketed the first computer that was affordable enough for the casual user. When they decided to donate to schools all over the US Apple was on the map and they are still a hot company. Some of their machines sell for high dollars in the collectible market.

So it is important to remember that older computers get better with age. Always cover your bets because the last thing you want to do is scrap out a machine that could have netted you $10,000 to a collector.

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What We Do - Wastenot E-Cycling LLC

Any digital data storage device can be used to...Image via WikipediaMy name is Craig Weaver and I am the owner and operator of Wastenot E-Cycling LLC.

Our company strives to help the environment by recycling all manner of electronic items from a wide variety of sources. We have helped many companies, non-profit organizations and individuals to reduce their environmental impact by removing all unwanted, non-working and obsolete electronic items from their locations.

Here at Wastenot E-Cycling we have a strict "No Landfill" policy. This means that every items and all parts of those items are recycled, leaving no trash to fill up the waste facility. Recycling actually aids in keeping prices lower as new material is required in smaller quantities when recycled material is present.

Wastenot E-Cycling is a family run company that strives to provide top of the line service to all of our clients. Keeping our clients happy is rule number one at our company.

Our Services

Unlike many other companies in the e-cycling world, Wastenot E-Cycling does NOT charge for electronics recycling. We offer free service to all clients, big or small.

We can schedule a pickup of your electronic items based on the individual needs that you have. For those that produce large quanities with limited space for storage we offer weekly and bi-weekly pickups.
For those that produce smaller quantities we offer monthly and as needed appointements.

Furthermore, our team of dedicated employees will do all the work. We will load all materials ourselves from whatever location is necessary, making it a hands off experience for all of our clients.

Data Destruction and Recycling Certificates

Wastenot E-Cycling provides 100% guaranteed data destruction for computers and storage devices that may have sensitive material stored within. We can provide a certificate of data destruction upon request for any items that have been recycled through our services.

We also provide recycling certificates for those that require them. The removal of assets from companies large and small carries with it certain tax implications and a certificate of recycling is the required documentation for those instances.

Contact Wastenot E-Cycling

Wastenot E-Cycling is here for you no matter what you may need. We have several contact methods that can be used to schedule a pickup or to simply ask some questions about the process.

Email: wastenotllc@gmail.com
Phone: 1-(260)433-1007

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Tearing down a hard drive

Tearing down a hard drive is probably one of the biggest pains for any e-scraper that is just starting out. In most cases it is the lack of proper tools. However, as this video will show, there are many times when the screws and other parts will simply not cooperate.
I plan to shoot my own videos soon but I thought this one really showed the difficulty that one can run into when dismantling a hard drive.

Thursday, April 14, 2011

Test it before you Scrap It!

A woman typing on a laptopImage via Wikipedia
A big mistake that many have made when dealing with electronic scrap is the assumption that everything that they get is nothing more than junk. I too was guilty of this same assumption until one day I did something that changed the way I look at the items I pickup.
When I first started dabbling in e-scrap flat panel monitors were getting hot. My wife had one thanks to her quick thinking and use of the Yahoo Freecycle groups but I was still using the old CRT monster. So I got a call from one of the computer repair shops that I deal with and was told that they had a load for me.
When I arrived there was several towers, a laptop and a flat panel monitor waiting for me. When I got the stuff back to the shop I decided, I still don’t know why, to test the monitor.
It had now come with a cord but it only required a standard AC plug so I dug one up and plugged it in. I was shocked to learn that it worked. From that point on I decided that I would check things that I received just to be sure.
These days I have some minimum standards for what I will test and then try to sell. When it comes to desktop computers I require that they be at least Windows XP with a 512mb ram setup.
The beauty of this is the fact that I can sell a very basic tower running Windows XP and capable of running on the net for about $50. This is just the tower and the price goes up if I decide to offer the monitor, mouse and keyboard. Around this area people snap them up rather quickly.
That leads us to laptops. I have received several working laptops over the years and a working laptop is a valuable laptop. Even if the laptop is older it can still be sold because they are so popular.
However, even a non-working or damaged laptop may have some value. The way we operate is this….If we get in a laptop that has some problems or maybe will not even turn on my wife will do a quick eBay search for parts laptops. If it meets the minimum that we have placed on time versus value then it will be listed. Even a broken laptop can sell for over $100.
Do the same with the flat panel monitors. We have sold a lot of them over the time that we have been involved with e-scrap and many of them didn’t work. But there are some savvy people out there that know how to work on the flat panels and who will give you a good price for them as long as the screen is intact.
Furthermore, it is surprising how often you will get a working tower with nothing more wrong with it than a virus. Many computer repair shops charge a hefty sum for ridding a computer of a virus and many people will simply tell the shop to keep the computer and get a new one.
With the internet you have the opportunity to clean these machines out and get them back on track for some fast cash. Normally just a virus removal program downloaded from the net is enough to clean a computer out and get it back on the road.
To make things easier for testing I have a station set up in my shop. There is a monitor, mouse, keyboard and standard power cord for the tower sitting on a work bench. So when I get a tower that looks promising I just plug it in and see what happens. If it is something that is simple enough and will not cost anything I will get it going.
But there is something important that you should do. Always make sure to wipe the hard drive before selling it. Data destruction is a big part of the e-scrap world and it is the responsible thing to do.

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Basic E-scrap Prices and Values

The A8N VM CSM, an ASUS microATX motherboardImage via Wikipedia
I am going to do something with this article that many people want to charge for. I am going to give a rundown of what the different parts of e-scrap are worth and the prices that you can expect when you are selling them.
It was a tremendous pain in the neck for me when I would start searching the net trying to find the price breakdowns of e-scrap. Every link I would click on would take me to another page that wanted me to pay a monthly fee to see this coveted information. I think it is high time that we just end the secrecy and get on with life.
Alright so let’s get right to it.
E-scrap prices are broken down to the basic parts of most electronics. When scraping electronics it is important to separate everything but they all have different values.
For standard motherboards and slot boards (video cards, sound cards, etc) the standard price is $3.80 per pound. It does not take long to build up a rather hefty sum of cash considering how much one motherboard weighs.
Mid-Grade Boards, such as those that are found in CD/DVD drives, printers and so on sell for around $1.00 per pound. They do have some precious metal on them but it is far less than the motherboard or slot boards.
Low Grade Boards or brown boards (because only one side is green and the other is brown) are the lowest in the circuit board scrap area. They sell for .50 per pound maximum and have very low quantities of precious metals.
Hard drive boards are a bit different. They are referred to as logic boards and they sell for $9.00 per pound or more.
Ram goes even higher in the price range. Ram from older computers does not contain gold but has silver contacts. Refiners buy Ram as mixed memory and the standard price is $13.00 per pound.
Now for the processors or CPUs. The prices vary depending on the processor. Some processors are insanely valuable such as the old 386 and 486 units that will sell for $110.00 per pound. The higher the grade the higher the value.
However, there are the old Pentium II slot processors that are sold for $11.00 per pound as they are more similar to Ram than to processors themselves.
Hard drive platters vary in price depending on how they are sold. They can go as high as $9.00 per pound when sold on eBay but usually they go a bit lower depending on who is bidding.
So, that should give you an idea of the money that can be made through e-scrap. I have seen some forum posts on the internet from people that claim there is no money to be made in e-scrap. Well with the above prices and a little hard work it is easy to see that there is some serious cash to be made.

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The Dangers of DIY Gold Refining and Recovery

Crystaline GoldImage via Wikipedia
Electronic scrap is a highly lucrative market for those that have the drive and desire to succeed. However, there are some dangers involved for those that attempt to take things to the next level and recover and refine the gold and other precious metals themselves.
If you start researching this topic you will find that there are plenty of people out there saying how easy it can be to recover and refine the gold at home. I, for one, think that this is irresponsible and dangerous to say the least.
All over the internet on sites like eBay and so on there are people selling DIY kits and plans for gold recovery and refining. If you read through the listings these people talk about how they are able to refine X amount of gold and make a fortune, yada, yada.
Well one question springs to mind: If they are making so much money then why are they selling DIY kits rather than refining the gold?
The fact of the matter is that refining and recovering gold from electronic scrap is dangerous and should be left to the professionals that have the proper equipment and knowledge to complete the process.
Many of the “at home” methods that you will find on the net make use of dangerous acids and other chemicals that are deadly if inhaled or spilled and the idea that you can use them in your garage in a safe manner is ludicrous.
There are more than enough places out there that are willing to buy gold bearing material for a nice price which will keep you safe.
Furthermore, there are many laws that govern the use of these chemicals and simply using them in your garage or basement can get you into a lot of trouble with the law.
I should point out that there are some places on the net selling actual gold recovery and refining equipment that is safe to use. However, the cost is prohibitive as the systems, without the necessary chemicals, run into the thousands of dollars.
So for safety sake I recommend that you stick with selling the gold bearing materials to a refiner and be happy with the price that you are getting for the materials.



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Scrapping the Dreaded CRT Monitor for Cash

TV(CRT)-003Image by 謝一麟 Chiā,It-lîn via Flickr

Whenever people find out that I own and operate an e-scrap company the first thing that they always ask is how I deal with the CRT monitors. These units have gotten such a bad name because they were built without the environment in mind that many believe that they are the worst possible thing to happen to the e-scrap industry.
I tend to disagree with that assessment. While they are not high in value, if you have enough of them you can make some decent cash with very little hassle along the way.
So let’s take a look at how I have turned the dreaded CRT monitors into cash.
For most CRT monitors the heaviest thing is the tube and it is also the most difficult to get rid of. The tubes are leaded glass and some other elements inside, which makes them a problem for the environment.
It is important to note that you should not break the tube when you are tearing apart the CRT monitors. Breathing in the stuff from inside can be a very bad idea. I will outline how I tear them down without breaking the tube. (Yes there are a lot of videos on Youtube that show guys breaking the tubes that claim there is no harm but they are sidestepping the truth.)
The first order of business is to get the plastic casing off. In many instances this means taking out 4 screws and then just taking it off. However, some units have just 2 screws and then tabs. Nonetheless, it is not difficult to get the casing off. The plastic should be set aside and then sold to a polymer company. ABS, the plastic used to make the cases, sells for roughly .10 per pound and can go much higher if you have a lot of it.
Now that the case is off you will see the insides of the monitor. The tube comes to a point and there will be a metal covered circuit board attached to the fine point on the tube. This is where a lot of people make a mistake because they twist that circuit board off of there. You should actually just lift straight up and it will unplug itself from the tube. Set that circuit board aside.
Now you can easily see the item that provides the biggest money in CRT monitors, the copper yoke. These are very easy to remove. There will be two ring collars around the tube above the yoke that are held on with screws. Simply take those screws loose and remove the collars. At this point you should grab the yoke and twist. The adhesive that is holding the yoke will come loose and the yoke can then be slipped off of the tube. Set this aside for later disassembly.
Now it is time to remove the circuit board. As I have mentioned in other articles, this board is a low grade brown, which is the lowest on the scale of circuit boards. They sell in the area of .50 per pound to many scrap metal yards. Getting the circuit board off is simply a matter of looking for screws or pulling apart a couple of tabs. You will likely have to clip a few wires along the way.
Now all you have to do is remove the screws holding the tube to the front part of the case and then slip off the large loop of wire that is wrapped in black tape.
At this point you have a few decisions to be made concerning the circuit boards. There are some items that have a bit more value attached to them. There are transformers and cast or extruded aluminum pieces that are mounted on the boards. You can pull these off and separate them but this is a time consuming and not very rewarding process.
The wires can be clipped off with ease and sold with the rest of your wire.
For the copper yoke the disassembly is very easy. There is an iron ferrite collar that can be pried off and then thrown in with your scrap steel and iron. From there the plastic that holds it all together can be broken apart and you wind up with a pile of clean #2 copper that is ready for the scrap yard.
As for the tubes the process is very simple. There are several companies around the US that are now accepting the tubes as long as they are intact. They will not buy them but they will not charge like some were doing at one point either.
The rest of the material from a CRT can be sold for cash.

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Stripping a Computer Tower for Precious Metal Refining

A heap of scrap metal.Image via Wikipedia
When one decides to start in the exciting and lucrative world of computer and electronics recycling there are bound to be some mistakes. When I first started my company I made plenty of mistakes and they cost me a lot of money. However, after those mistakes I continued to adjust how I handled the materials and it has paid off in a big way.
The first thing that you should do is ensure that you have plenty of room to sort the materials because just about everything in a computer sells separately and to different sources in most cases.
So let’s run down how to strip a computer for maximum value.
Step 1: Gain access to the inside of the computer tower. In my experience each tower is different. Getting inside can be as simple as removing a couple screws and sliding off the panel and can be as complicated finding the locking mechanism and pulling apart the case. There are some great internet sites that show the different methods for opening computers that can be found with a simple Google search.
Step 2: At this point I like to remove the power supply as it will get the wires out of the way. In most cases the power supply is screwed to the outside of the case with either 2 or 4 screws. Once those are removed the supply comes loose. From there simply unplug the various wires from the boards and drives and then set the power supply aside for disassembly.
Step 3: Now I like to remove the ribbon wires. These are the flat wires that connect the motherboard to the various components. These will usually pop right off. I then put them into a box or barrel and save them with other wires that will go into the local scrap metal yard.
Step 4: Now it is time to remove the drives. This can be a little tricky with some towers. Each tower is different as to how the drives are installed. Some can be as easy as compressing a couple of tabs and then sliding the drives out while others have screws that need to be removed. Once the drives are out of the case I set them aside for disassembly later.
Step 5: Removing the slot cards is next. These are usually controllers for devices such as video and sound cards as well as modems. They are attached with a screw at the top and then plugged into the motherboard. After the screw is removed they will pop right out. I then throw them into a box slated for sale to a refiner.
Step 6: Now it is time to remove the motherboard. Again there is no one way that they are attached. However, most of the time they are attached with screws and once they are removed the board will come right out. But, there are also some companies that use tabs that means that the board needs to be slid to one side before removal.
Step 7: With the motherboard out you can remove the ram sticks. These pop out by pushing down the tabs on each end. Once out they should be put into a box and collected for sale to a refiner.
Step 8: The last thing is to remove the heat sink, fan and then the processor. The heat sink and fan are likely held on with a lever that can be easily lifted off. Most heat sinks are aluminum and can be collected and then sold to the local scrap metal yard.
Step 9: Removing the processor is a simple case of pulling up the arm on the side that unlocks the pins and the processor can be pulled out. I toss the processors into yet another box where they are collected for sale to a refiner.
Now on to the other items.
Power Supply Disassembly: The power supply is a fairly simple unit to tear down. There are usually some screws holding the steel case together and once removed the case will come apart. Then there will be some screws holding the circuit board to the lower part of the case. Remove those and then toss the case into a box that will be taken to the scrap metal yard.
On the power supply are many wires that should be cut off. A simple pair of wire cutters can be used to clip off the wires which will then be tossed into the box or barrel where you put the ribbon wire.
The board is what is known as a “low grade brown” circuit board. These are actually pretty low on value and I collect mine and sell them to the local scrap metal yard for about .50 per pound and it adds up fast.
CD/DVD/Floppy Drive Disassembly: Disassembling CD or Floppy drives is fairly simple. Just look for the screws that are holding the cases together and remove them. Once you have access to the inside you need only remove the boards and the cases can be tossed into the scrap steel bin.
The boards from the CD/DVD/Floppy drives are considered mid-grade boards. They have moderate precious metal content. I place them all into the same box and then sell them to my refiner for $1.00 per pound.
Hard Drive Disassembly: Hard drives are a bit more valuable in the grand scheme of things. However, they are also more difficult to disassemble as well. Most hard drives are held together with star screws. On the front cover remove all the screws that you can see. Under the label there is going to be at least one more screw if not two. Once you have the screws out the top will pop off. This is aluminum and should be placed in your aluminum box.
Once you have access to the inside you will see the round, silver discs that hold the information for the hard drive and an arm that is resting on them. You will need to remove the screws around the collar holding the discs down. Then you will remove the brackets holding the arm on. They are held on with screws and two magnets that are made of rare earth materials.
The magnets can be saved in another box and sold online for a decent price. The discs should be collected and sold separately as they have a layer of platinum on them.
Once these items are removed you will need to turn the base over and remove the circuit board. These are known as hard drive logic boards and they are valued at $9.00 per pound and up. They should be saved and then sold to a refiner.
The base is made of cast aluminum and can be tossed into the box with the other materials.
This completes tearing down a computer tower for refining. You have several options for selling materials. eBay is a resource that a lot of e-cyclers like to use for selling their materials but there are other options.
A bit of warning: Never sell to the websites that say that they are buying for gold refining and offering to pay for the shipping with a pre-printed label that they will send to you through email.
I decided to do a small experiment. I collected two boxes of motherboards and listed one on eBay and sent the other to one of those places online. About a week later I had a check from the website for $7.50 for 25 pounds of motherboards and a Paypal payment from a buyer on eBay for $600 for 25 pounds of motherboards.
I found a refiner that operates in Ohio that I send all of my gold bearing material too. They pay some great prices and it makes things a lot easier. It also saves on the eBay and Paypal fees that have become quite high over the years.
The other materials, such as low grade brown boards, wires, aluminum and steel I just transport to the scrap metal yard. Collected over a period of time these items can really add up to some serious cash. For me it makes a great way to keep my gas tank full for picking up more computers from my various clients.

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Starting an E-scrap Business from Scratch

Many people may not realize it but e-scrap has become a very lucrative business for many all over the world. While it is not a get rich quick type of business, it is a business model that can create a positive cash flow while helping the environment at the same time.
In this article we are going to explore how to turn electronic scrap into a business that just about anyone can start and operate with little investment other than time and hard work.
First off you will need to have a place to work. I started my company in a storage shed that was sitting idle behind my house. While it was not huge, it had power and enough room for the electronic items to be stored and dismantled.
This is not something that you would want to do inside your home unless you have a basement. It can be dirty work and it will take up a lot of space at the same time.
Now let’s talk about the tools that you will need to get started.
The first thing is plenty of screwdrivers in various sizes. Nearly every computer and other electronic items have different kinds of screws that you will have to remove. I visited my local Wal-Mart and found an 18 piece screwdriver set on sale for $5.00. It works very well. I should have picked up several of them but I then went to my local Harbor Freight store and found another similar set for $5.00. It is good to have several on hand.
A power screwdriver is also a great tool to have around. While you will not be able to take out all of the screws with a power driver, you will be able to take out some of the easier to reach ones and it really speeds up the process.
Good wire cutters are essential. One of my biggest mistakes was going cheap on the wire cutters when we first started and in the end we paid for it. The cheap wire cutters dull quickly and trying to cut through wires with dull cutters is hard on the hands.
A full set of star bit drivers is also essential. This is most often used in disassembling the hard drives that are held together with various sizes of star bits. A decent set will likely run you around $10 and it will be a big time saver.
Finally a set of small pry bars will come in very handy. These are used mostly for printers that are usually a pain to disassemble. Having a pry bar around gives the needed power to pull apart the different printers without wasting a lot of time.
Now that you have the place and the tools you will need to get some electronics to tear down. There are several different ways to approach this so we will review them below.
One of the most powerful tools that I have found is a simple form letter that is sent to various companies in my area. I sat down with my wife and created this letter outlining what our company does and how it would benefit the companies that we were contacting. The response is simply amazing.
One piece of advice is to make your service FREE. All you have to do is run down what you do, which is e-cycling and tell them that you will pick up all the items that they have for free. There are some large companies that provide this kind of service but they are charging for the service and making it free is far more attractive.
Business cards are also a great way to get things going. I usually add a business card to the letters that I send out and the companies will then pass the information along to other companies that may need the service.
Cold calling is a great way to drum up some business as well. My wife regularly sits down in her office with a list of companies and just calls and introduces herself to them and tells them about what we do. The response is amazing.
As for the companies you should target it is fairly simple. We started out with computer repair businesses in our area. In our state it is illegal to throw electronics away so the computer repair companies were having to store and in many cases pay to get rid of their junk. Most were more than thrilled to have someone that would come and pick the stuff up.
You can also target factories, hospitals, schools and all manner of businesses that use computers and may have some that need to be disposed of.
This will get you started and in the next article we are going to start discussing how to make money from the materials that you bring in.