Q. What exactly is "RECYCLING"?
A. The dictionary defines recycling as:
1. To extract useful materials from garbage or waste.
2. To extract and reuse useful substances (parts) found in waste.
3. To use again (reuse).

Q. Can’t I just throw my obsolete computers away?
A. No. The Resource Conservation and Recovery Act and the California Department of Toxic Substances (CRT Emergency Regulation) prohibit the improper disposal of obsolete computer equipment. Improper handling can result in fines and other civil penalties, in addition to tarnishing your company’s image.

Q. What is hazardous in the old computers?
A. Each computer display monitor contains an average of 4-8 pounds of lead. Monitor glass contains about 20 percent lead by weight. About 70 percent of the heavy metals (including mercury and cadmium) found in landfills come from electronic equipment discards. These heavy metals and other hazardous substances found in electronics can contaminate groundwater and pose other environmental and public health risks.

Q. How can I legally dispose of my obsolete computer equipment?
A. There are three ways to legally dispose of your old electronic equipment:
1. Donate your equipment to charity. Increasingly charities such as Goodwill San Francisco are unable to take donations of computer equipment “due to the high cost of disposal and stringent government regulations”. Additionally, this does not relieve your company of liability if the non-profit mishandles or improperly disposes of your Electronic Waste.
2. Resell your old equipment. This is a very expensive option. According to Dell Financial Services “Organizations that decide to sell computer equipment themselves often find unexpected expenses. Industry experts estimate that each PC's disposal can exceed $400.”
3. Recycle through a Certified E-Waste Recycler. This is the most cost effective option. Hi-Tec Recycling will handle your E-Waste in the most environmentally friendly manner possible.

Q. Are you certified?
A. Yes. We are certified with the State of California. Our CA Electronic Waste ID (CEWID) is #106932.

Q. What do you do with my old electronics?
A. When Hi-Tec Recycling receives your obsolete equipment it is sorted in our warehouse to determine the proper processing. We resell the functioning product for reuse or refurbishment, and the scrap we sell to companies that further break down the commodities. Equipment that is too outdated to be of any use is sold as scrap to companies that de-manufacture, separate and smelt the metals and bale the plastics, and other buyers that process the CRT's for the State of California, such as ERS in Hayward, CA.

Q. What about the information on my hard drive?
A. We recommend that you delete sensitive data from your hard drives, or remove your hard drives before your recycle. For a fee, Hi-Tec Recycling offers the service of destroying any data remaining on your hard drives to render it unrecoverable, with a certificate of destruction. Please call for our rates.

Q. Will you take non-functioning equipment?
A. Yes, we accept non-working as well as working equipment.

Q. What other equipment will you accept?
A. We also accept printers, fax machines, copiers, scanners, TV's, monitors, cables, cell phones, PDA's, digital cameras, laptops, MP3's, stereo equipment and other electronic equipment.

Q. Do you accept kitchen appliances?
A. Yes. Hi-Tec Recycling will also recycle air conditioning units and dehumidifiers, but only at the drop-off center, not at events.