Tips on electronics recycling [Jan. 2002]

equipment can be shipped to them for responsible reuse or recycling.
For more information, search or call:
IBM
http://www.ibm.com/environment.
Or, call 1-888-SHOP-IBM and ask for a PC recycling sales representative.
Hewlett-Packard
www.hp.com/hpinfo/community/environment/recycle.htm
Or, call 1-888-485-1849
Donate
Used electronics can be donated to charities or schools, either directly or through an organization involved in refurbishing and replacing them. Many of these organizations accept computers for free, but there may be a fee in some cases. It may be possible to receive a tax deduction for your donation from some organizations. For more information on donating your electronic equipment, see the listing of non-profit organizations on the back of this brochure.
Recycle
Non-profits and private businesses manually disassemble computers and use old components to assemble new working systems, separate working parts such as disk drives and memory chips for sale, or sell components such as plastics and aluminum for scrap.
By recycling you:
Create jobs -- studies have shown that recycling creates jobs and other economic opportunities
Prevent the accumulation of hazardous materials in landfills
Reduce possible threats to groundwater quality
Prevent depletion of natural resources by getting the longest life possible from a product
Make computers available to others who may not be able to afford a new one

What to recycle ...

Cables and Wire Calculators Cathodes Cellular Pagers Chips Circuit Boards Digital Equipment Diskettes

Hard Drives Keyboards Microprocessors Mobile Phones Modems Monitors Mother Boards Plastic Casings

Printers, Printer Heads Processors Scanners Software Televisions Tuners VCRs Video Cards

Internet Sources for Additional Information

www.1800cleanup.org

www.iaer.org

www.dca.state.ga.us/solidwaste

www.nrc-recycle.org

www.electronicexchange.org

www.p2ad.org/comp_recycle.html

www.electronicsrecycling.net

www.svtc.org

www.epa.gov/commonsense/computer

www.wastexchange.org

www.epa.gov/epr

THE GEORGIA DEPARTMENT OF COMMUNITY AFFAIRS, OFFICE OF ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT 60 Executive Park South, NE Atlanta, Georgia 30329

Tips on Electronics Recycling
The Georgia Department Of Community Affairs, Office of Environmental Management 60 Executive Park South, NE Atlanta, Georgia 30329 404.679.4940 www.dca.state.ga.us

WONDERING WHAT TO DO WITH YOUR OLD COMPUTER? DID YOU KNOW ...?
About 75 % of retired computers in the U.S. are in storage, 15 % are landfilled and only about 10 % are recycled.
The Institute for Local Self-Reliance
It is estimated that the number of PCs that become obsolete in 2002 will exceed the number of PCs shipped that same year, by 3.4 million units. By 2004, there will be more than 315 million obsolete computers in the U.S.
National Safety Council Electronic Product Recovery and Recycling Baseline Report, May 1999
Recoverable materials in PCs and monitors may include aluminum, cadmium, copper, glass, gold, lead, mercury, plastics, silica, silver and steel.
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Commodities: JTR Program, 1999
According to a 1997 study by International Data Corporation (IDC), U.S. corporations will squander $3 billion in one year when they retire outdated personal computers.
The estimated useful life for a PC in a business environment is two to three years, while home computer users typically use their equipment for three to five years.
Jung, Leah B. "The Conundrum of Computer Recycling."
Resource Recycling Magazine (May 1999)
What you can do ...
Get rid of it. Now!
About 72% of all retired electronic products are stored for an average of three years. Electronics equipment loses value in storage, while needlessly occupying valuable storage space.
Try to purchase only upgradable equipment. The goal is to extend the life of the product as long as possible before it needs to be discarded.
Consider buying refurbished computer equipment. It not only reduces purchase costs, but also helps ensure the existence of markets for end-oflife equipment. There is a list of recycling and reuse businesses and nonprofit organizations on the back page of this brochure.
Lease, don't buy
When you lease a new computer, you know that when you're done with it, it will have a home. The manufacturer will upgrade your returned system, or refurbish components for resale.
Reuse
Refurbish or upgrade electronic equipment and continue to use it or pass it to others in the same home or company when new equipment is purchased. Refurbishing and upgrading can include moving to a higher processing speed or cleaning and replacing worn parts. Not all software applications require the latest, fastest computer.
Sell
Selling used equipment is common and is an economically beneficial alternative to storing used electronic equipment.
Send it back
Some of the major computer manufacturers, such as IBM and HewlettPackard, have begun buy-back programs. For a fee, any brand of computer

Where to recycle

Businesses or organizations accepting used electronic equipment from individuals In all cases, contact the organization or business before delivering materials

The Georgia Department of Community Affairs does not endorse or warrant the quality, reliability, or environmental compliance of any of the businesses or services referenced.

It is the responsibility of individual users to conduct a personal evaluation of the businesses and Web sites listed.

A&B Recycling Inc.
www.a-brecyclinginc.com 212 First St. Ft. Oglethorpe, Ga. 30742 800-557-0726 or 706-866-7098

abrecy@aol.com Contacts: Lamar Bearden, President
Dave Hill, Environmental Health and Safety Hours: Mon-Thurs, 8:30-5; Fri, 8:30-4 Established: 1995

A&B Recycling Inc. is a business dealing primarily with corporations and businesses, but they will accept PCs, telecommunications equipment and TVs from individuals. They charge $7 for monitors and TVs, and may arrange for pickup only of tractor-trailer quantities of electronic equipment. Call first for details.

The Allegiance Group www.theallegiancegroup.com 173 Kilgore Rd. Carrollton, Ga. 30116 770-830-8650

allegnce@bellsouth.net Contact: Gary Blanks Hours: Mon-Fri, 7:30-5 Established: August 2000 in Carrollton

The Allegiance Group is a computer recycling and remarketing company with operations in Gulf Shores, Ala. and Camden, Conn. The company was formed in 1983. They deal primarily with businesses, but do accept small quantities from individuals. Pickups are arranged only for large quantities; individuals must deliver equipment or pay shipping costs. TVs are accepted, with no charge for monitors or Cathode Ray Tubes (CRTs) except a $2-$3 charge for terminals. Call first for details.

Allied Computer Brokers/Box Q www.boxq.net 5700 Tulane Dr. Atlanta, Ga. 30336 404-505-7967

boxq@bellsouth.net Contact: David Powell Hours: Mon-Fri, 8-4:30 Established: 1997

Allied Computer Brokers/BoxQ is a broker accepting used electronic equipment, including personal computers. The company has other facilities in Pompano Beach, Fla., Newbury, Mass. and Phoenix, Ariz. They accept monitors for 25 cents per pound, and will accept small quantities from individuals, but will only arrange for pickup on larger loads. Call first for details.

Aramis Computer Salvage 337 Veterans Memorial Hwy. Mableton, Ga. 30067 770-732-9611

winstono@bellsouth.net Contact: Chris O'Kelley Hours: Mon-Fri, 9-4 Established: 1996

Aramis Computer Salvage is a dismantler and recycler of computer equipment and a scrap broker. They accept personal and mainframe computers and charge $10 each for terminal monitors and $5 each for SVGA monitors. May arrange for pickup within Cobb County and possibly within metro Atlanta area. Call first for details.

Free Bytes www.freebytes.org P.O. Box 550371 Lindbergh Plaza, Suite D1000 Atlanta, Ga. 30355 404-846-8414

donations@freebytes.net Contact: Timothy Gott Hours: Mon, Tues, Thurs, 5-8 p.m.;
Wed, Sat, Noon-3 Established: 1993

Free Bytes is a non-profit group that refurbishes used computer equipment for donation to other nonprofit organizations. Due to high volume, Free Bytes is requesting a $10-$20 donation for systems older than five years, given the higher cost to refurbish or recycle them. Call to arrange for pickup of loads of 20 or more items or to schedule a drop-off of equipment.

Henry County Recycling Center 65 West Asbury Road McDonough, Ga. 30253 770-957-8073

jmmenegos@aol.com Contact: Jim Menegos Hours: Mon-Sat, 8-4 Established: 1996

The Henry County Recycling Center is a non-profit collector of recyclable materials, including electronic equipment. They prefer working units with software included. There is no charge for monitors. They accept TVs and microwaves with a $5 per-unit charge. No arrangements for pickups are available. Call first for details.

Imaging Specialty Company, Inc. www.imagingspecialty.com 2520 Park Central Blvd. Decatur, Ga. 30035 770-808-2155

imsp@mindspring.com Contact: Larry Lancaster Hours: Mon-Fri, 9-5 Established: 1992

Imaging Specialty Company, Inc. is a for-profit collector and processor of data-processing equipment. They accept primarily printers and PCs, but do not accept televisions. They deal primarily with governments and businesses, but will accept from individuals. There is a charge for older equipment and they may arrange for pickup. Call first for details.

MARC/5R, Ltd. www.marc5r.homestead.com 2445 Stone Mountain-Lithonia Road Lithonia, Ga. 30058 770-482-1744

lori5r@mindspring.com Contact: Lori Smith Hours: Mon-Fri, 9-5:30; Sat, 10-3 Established: 1986

MARC/5R is a computer and electronics recycler and resale company headquartered in Glen Flora, Wis., with operations in Lithonia, Ga. and Syracuse, N.Y. They accept any quantity of any electronic and computer equipment. There is a $7.50 charge for monitors. Pickups may be arranged, but only for medium to large loads. Call first for details.

Materials for the Arts
www.ci.atlanta.ga.us/dept/prca/ cultural/MFA1.htm
675 Ponce de Leon Ave., 5th floor Atlanta, Ga. 30308 404-817-6815

sredding@ci.atlanta.ga.us Contact: Shawn Redding Hours: Mon-Fri, 8:30-5:30 Established: 1992

MFA is a non-profit organization affiliated with the City of Atlanta, collecting material for distribution to the arts community. They accept only working televisions, computers and peripherals, stereos, radios and VCRs. There is no charge to donate equipment and donors may qualify for a tax deduction. Call first for details.

Mercury Waste Solutions www.mwsi.com 2129 Northwest Pkwy. Suite 121 Marietta Ga. 30067 770-953-8000

recycle@mwsi.com Contact: Richard Hall Hours: Mon-Fri, 8-5 Established: 1995

Mercury Waste Solutions is a processor and recycler accepting most used electronic equipment, including personal computers and televisions. They deal primarily with businesses, but do accept from individuals. They charge for pick-up and charge a per-pound rate for equipment. Call first for details.

MicroSeconds

marilyn@microseconds.net

www.microseconds.net

Contact: Gary Blackledge

6427 Roswell Road, N.E.

Hours: Mon-Fri, 10-7; Sat, 10-6

Atlanta, Ga. 30328

Established: 1994

404-252-7221

Duluth location: 3505 Gwinnett Place Dr., Duluth, Ga. 30136, 770-232-1011

MicroSeconds are retail stores buying used personal computers, printers, software, memory, drives, monitors, CPUs and most other components. They only accept working, IBM compatible equipment running at 233 speed or faster. There is no charge for monitors but they must be working. Will not pick up materials. Call first for details.

Project Reboot www.gatfl.org 4900 Lewis Road Stone Mountain, Ga. 30083 770-491-0198

carolynpphillips@mindspring.com Contact: Carolyn P. Phillips Hours: Mon-Fri, 9-5 Established: 1997

Project Reboot is a non-profit organization affiliated with the Georgia Department of Labor's Tools for Life program and Touch the Future, Inc. Donated systems are refurbished and distributed to people with disabilities at no charge for basic systems. They accept only Pentium and above grade personal computers, and printers and monitors. There is no charge for monitors, but they are only accepted as part of a system. They may arrange for pickup of large quantities from businesses, governments and institutions. Call first for details.

Ringgold Computer Salvage www.ringgoldcomputersalvage.com 8302 Hwy. 41 Ringgold, Ga. 30736 706-935-3838

service@ringgoldcomputersalvage.com Contact: Jeff Bearden Hours: Mon-Fri, 10-6 Established: 2001

Ringgold Computer Salvage is a processor and recycler of electronic equipment, including data-processing equipment, computers and peripherals, fax machines, printers and copiers. They will pick up equipment. They deal primarily with businesses, but will accept from individuals. See Web site for rates and call first for details.

Southeastern Computer Recycling Corp. www.secrc.com 108 Old Montgomeryville Rd., Suite B Milledgeville, Ga. 31061 478-451-2871

info@secrc.com Contact: Scott Brown Hours: Mon-Fri, 9-6 Established: 1998

Southeastern Computer Recycling Corp. is a processor and recycler, accepting primarily personal computer equipment from businesses and large users. They do accept small quantities from individuals, and may arrange for pickup. Southeastern will examine the equipment and charge or pay depending on quality. Call first for details.

Students Recycling Used Technology www.sandersvilletech.org/gastrut Airport Road Sandersville, Ga. 31082 478-553-2060

jsterrett@sandersvilletech.org Contact: Jack Sterrett Hours: Mon-Fri, 8-5 Established: October, 2000

Students Recycling Used Technology is a non-profit project of the Sandersville Technical College Foundation. Students repair computer equipment for donation to charities. May arrange for pick-up of equipment. Call first for details.

Tech Corps Georgia www.techcorpsga.org 1514 E. Cleveland Ave., Suite. 110 East Point, Ga. 30344 404-768-9990

chris.miller@techcorpsga.org Contact: Sharon or Chris Miller Hours: Mon, Wed and Thurs, 10-6;
Tues, 10-8; Sat, 10-3 Established: 1993

TECH CORPS Georgia is a non-profit organization whose mission is to bridge the "Digital Divide" in lowincome K-12 educational communities, by providing computer and software training to teachers, students and parents. They provide Internet ready computers to clients enrolled in technology education programs. Therefore, they have specific donation requirements: They only accept working, IBM-compatible equipment that is Pentium 100 grade or better. See their Web site for exact donation requirements. There is no charge for monitors brought in with a CPU, but they must be functioning. There is no charge for working VGA, SVGA or 14" or greater color monitors brought in without a CPU.

Zentech www.zentech.org 1417 Mayson St. Atlanta, Ga. 30324 404-876-0163

info@zentech.org Contact: Julian Powell Hours: Mon-Fri, 11-7; Sat, by
appointment only Established: 1995

Zentech is a for-profit broker dealing with personal computer CPUs, monitors, wire and cable, and software. They sell refurbished computer equipment wholesale and retail. They also accept stereo equipment and may begin accepting TVs; call to see if service has begun. They charge $10 for monitors, accept small quantities from individuals, and can arrange for pickup of equipment. Call first for details.

For an updated version of the list, check DCA's Markets Directory at: http://www.dca.state.ga.us/solidwaste/recycling/default.asp
Or, try the Earth's 911 Web site, www.1800Cleanup.org or call the environmental hotline, 1-800-Cleanup.