TRiP

Computer technology has progressed so rapidly in the past few years that this year alone, over 300 million personal computers will be obsolete in the United States and will need to be disposed of. Add to that the 70 million new units being shipped each year and suddenly organizations are faced with disposition issues that are not only time consuming and logistically awkward, but environmental issues now become a concern. Federal and State regulations regarding electronic waste specifically require business and organizations to dispose of non-working or obsolete products in an environmentally sound manner. These regulations are meant to prevent hazardous elements from ending up in landfills.

Let’s take a look at those typical hazardous waste elements found in computer products:

• 4 to 8lbs of lead in monitors and terminals
• PCB’s (Polyvinyl Chlorinated Biphenyl) present in capacitors
• Lead solder in circuit board fabrication
• Phosphorous in monitors
• Lead shielding in CPU cases
• Chromium used as corrosion protection in steel
• Silicon and Arsenic found in integrated circuits
• Cadmium present in portable computer batteries
• Mercury in batteries and switches
• Plastic computer casings release toxic fumes when burnt down
• Copper cables coated with polyvinylchloride
• Flame retardants used in circuit boards, cables, and plastics

Donating equipment is certainly a commendable idea however units that are older, especially the 486 and earlier Pentium class machines will typically not run newer software. In many cases, these units are not in working order or require expensive upgrades to function. In fact, many schools and charity organizations take this equipment with good intentions however these types of units usually find their way to storage basements and closets.

One other popular method of disposing of old technology is done through Employee Purchase Programs. The logistics of these undertakings can be overwhelming; storage, inventory, billing, upgrades, configurations, support, guarantees, tracking, etc.

Typical Disposal Decision Tree 

Introducing Columbus Micro’s Technology Recycling Initiative Program(TRiP): 

Columbus Micro takes the burden out of disposing of your old equipment through our hassle-free 5 step TRiP.

• Pickup and Transportation: Columbus Micro will arrange for pickup and transportation of the equipment to our location. Pickup fees vary depending on location. Fees start at $50 within Franklin County and go up from there.
• Inventory Audit & Assessment: Columbus Micro will perform a general inventory assessment at no cost to you. However there will be a minimum fee for a detailed inventory.
• Dismantling/Component Recovery: Each unit will be carefully disassembled and parts will be sorted based upon their recyclable properties and whether or not they contain hazardous properties. This process is performed with full compliance from the EPA and our clients have the option of receiving a full Waiver of Liability for any and all disposed and recycled product.
• Data Destruction: Columbus Micro uses two methods of data destruction. For an extra fee, we will erase the data from your drives using the DOD 5220.22-M Erase standard used by the Department of Defense. This method will ensure that your data is permanently erased. You may also choose our proprietary physical destruction method.
• Issue of Credit: This is how TRiP sets itself apart from other recycling companies. Our Get Paid to UP-Trade™ consumer program has been so successful that we’ve decided to offer the same type of program to our business clients. Columbus Micro has developed a set of benchmarks for determining whether or not selected items have value. Please keep in mind that our benchmarks are dynamic and can change on a day to day basis. The table below list items that we are currently accepting for recycle, their level of demand, and whether or not they may qualify for an issue of credit. Please keep in mind not all items accepted will qualify for a credit. A credit will depend on many factors of our benchmarks. For example, a working or non-working unit, the condition of each item, the age of the item, quantity, etc. Please feel free to call us to discuss our methods of benchmarking in detail. Any credit given is good for a period of 12 months from the date of issuance and is good for anything that Columbus Micro offers, including service and support.

  **The business of recycling is extremely market driven. Therefore, the items we offer for "credit" can vary from day to day. The items marked "YES" are the items that currently have a resale value and are in demand in the market. **

TRiP is a full service solution designed to meet the requirements of assisting you with technology disposal. Call us today for more details. 614.901.1300.