As your business takes advantage of new technology, what do you do with your obsolete equipment? Disposal of electronics can be expensive and complicated. If you dispose of computers and monitors you could be considered a generator of hazardous waste under the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA). RCRA requires generators to determine whether or not the waste they generate is hazardous by using generator knowledge or by testing representative samples of that waste. Computer components could be considered hazardous because of heavy metals such as lead, cadmium or chromium. If you do not test used computers and monitors to prove them non-hazardous, you must assume they are hazardous waste and dispose of them at a permitted hazardous waste facility.

There are easier and more palatable options for dealing with your business’ computers and other electronics. Ohio EPA encourages businesses to recycle or donate electronic equipment. Either of these choices allows businesses to avoid entering into the world of hazardous waste regulations when managing e-waste.

Benefits of Refurbishing Donated Computers
Well-meaning companies that donate out-of-date computer systems directly to schools and nonprofits – rather than through a recycler or a refurbisher – can end up passing on more of a burden than a blessing. If you have a computer that is less than five years old, chances are that it can be put to good use by someone else. Rather than donating equipment directly to a charity or school, however, it is usually best for all involved if you can send it to a refurbisher, especially if you need to wipe your hard drive or are uncertain about the computer's condition. Refurbishers will ensure that equipment sent to nonprofits and schools works well and runs legal copies of software, and that any e-waste is disposed of properly. Remember that refurbishers work with newer equipment that can run current internet programs, so if your computer is more than five years old, it's better to send it to a commercial recycler. When working with a refurbisher, ensure that the company has and uses the necessary software to wipe the hard drives.

Computer Recycling
Virtually all components of a computer can be recycled. From the glass in the monitor, to the plastic in the case, to the copper in the power supply, to the precious metals used in the circuitry. A recycler will disassemble equipment and recover useable components such as memory boards, disk drives, video cards and microprocessor chips. Companies are making new innovative products out of old computers. Many computers can be revitalized and sold to schools in economically challenged urban and rural areas. Some vocational schools use old computers to teach electronic repair and analysis techniques. Non-functioning computers may also have salvageable components such as modems or power supplies that could be used to refurbish other computers.

Local Resources for Computer and Electronics Recycling and Refurbishing
Before using any computer recycler and/or refurbisher, make sure to conduct due diligence on the company. Your company is ultimately responsible for proper disposal of electronic equipment. Recyclers should provide a certificate of recycling and be able to tell you where each piece of demanufactured equipment is sent.

The list that follows includes companies and organizations that provide refurbishing and recycling services for businesses in the Greater Cincinnati area. The Hamilton County Solid Waste Management District has not audited the list of facilities. It is provided for informational purposes only.

Computer Recyclers

2trg (formerly Technology Recycling Group)
11093 Kenwood Road, Building 7, Blue Ash, OH 45242 (513) 761-5333
www.2trg.com

Apex Technology Solutions
7930 Kentucky Drive., Florence, KY 41042 (859) 485-4444
http://www.apextechnologysolutions.us/

Belmont Technology Remarketing
1401 Mark Street, Elk Grove, IL 60007 (847) 464-2445
www.belmont-technology.com

Cincinnati Computer Cooperative (C3)
49 Novner Dr., Cincinnati, OH 45215 (513) 771-3262
http://www.cincinnaticomputercooperative.org/

Environmental Enterprises, Inc.
10163 Cincinnati-Dayton Rd. Cincinnati, OH 45241 (513) 772-2818
www.eeienv.com

Great Lakes Electronics
12600 Greenfield Rd., Detroit, MI  48228 (313) 838-7000 ext. 112
(888) 392-7831
jhestick@recycleelectronics.com

Kentucky E-scrap
3519 Dixie Hwy., Elsmere, KY 41018 (859) 292-8696
www.KYescrap.com

Regency Technologies
30700 Carter St., Suite F, Solon, OH 44139 (440) 248-3991
www.regencytechnologies.com

Rumpke Universal and E-Waste Department
10795 Hughes Rd., Cincinnati, OH 45251 (513) 383-5090 or (800) 242-0510 ext. 5294
www.rumpke.com

Special Waste Systems
325 N. Riverview Ave., Miamisburg, OH 45342 (937) 866-8898 or (800) 669-9800
www.specialwastesystems.com

Unwanted Appliances
(888) 886-9268
www.unwanted.com

USA Lamp and Ballast
7806 Anthony-Wayne Ave., Cincinnati, OH 45216 (513) 641-4149
www.usalamp.com

Computer Refurbishers

2trg (formerly Technology Recycling Group)
11093 Kenwood Road, Building 7, Blue Ash, OH 45242 (513) 761-5333
www.2trg.com

Computer Recyclers
1592 Compton Rd., Mt. Healthy, OH 45231 (513) 931-8950
http://www.comprecyclers.com

Belmont Technology Remarketing
1401 Mark Street, Elk Grove, IL 60007 (847) 464-2445
www.belmont-technology.com

Greater Cincinnati Computer
7024 Ohio Ave. Suite B, Cincinnati, OH 45236 (513) 985-1300
http://www.greatercincinnaticomputer.com