FAQs

FAQs About E-Waste and Electronic Recycling

What is e-waste?

Electronic waste (E-waste) is an unfortunate byproduct of a world embracing rapid technological advances. The continual need to update to better electronic products causes a high volume of discarded electronic equipment.

What Items are Considered Electronics for E-Waste?

Examples of business e-waste might include the following: computers, monitors, any peripheral equipment, copy machines, cell phones, fax machines, etc.

Why Should I Recycle Computers and Electronics with Tri-Star Electronics Recycling?

Tri-Star Recycling is an industry leader in providing asset recovery services, including e-waste management solutions for enterprise, SMB, medical and research labs, universities and K-12 schools all over the world.

Why Prevent Electronics from Entering a Landfill?

In a society where so much is disposable, we need to become mindful of limiting the addition of harmful substances to landfills. Electronic components present a real danger to the environment when not disposed of properly. So much of the material required to make electronics work contains harmful substances, including many heavy metals. Metals used in electronics, like lead, mercury, cadmium and others, eventually leach out of a landfill. These leaks poison the water, turn the air toxic and pollute the soil so nothing can grow. Obviously, negative changes to our environment not only damage wildlife and plants, but harm humans.

What does Tri-Star Recycling Do with E-waste?

At Tri-Star Recycling, we proudly exercise environmental consciousness while taking maximum data security measures to ensure that the e-waste we acquire is safely and securely managed. We uphold a zero-landfill mission. All clients receive documentation outlining chain of custody and assurance that all data has been destroyed properly. Our downstream vendors share our zero-landfill mission.

How will Recycling My Obsolete Computer and/or Electronic Equipment Make a Difference?

With e-waste representing approximately 5% of the 250 million tons of solid waste generated in the USA each year, the challenge is obvious. Of that 12.5 million tons of e-waste only 10-18% of it is recycled. Though you personally deciding to recycle your obsolete computers or other electronic equipment might seem small, it all starts with one person or organization doing the right thing to have a big impact on our environment. TSR wants to work with you to make this positive change for our world.

What About Donating My Electronic Assets?

Anyone can donate their used electronic assets after upgrading their equipment. Before making that donation take into consideration the data contained by these assets and the need to thoroughly eradicate it from electronic memory. In some cases, there are laws protecting this data (think HIPAA), so if you transfer property without erasing the data, you can find yourself in trouble.

Does Tri-Star Electronics Recycling pay for used IT assets?

TSR does not pay directly for used IT assets. However, we do participate in resale programs. We participate in Information Technology Asset Disposition (ITAD), which is the comprehensive management of retired IT equipment for resale on the secondary market. TSR maintains relationships with multiple downstream resellers to get you the best price. We work with our clients to assure you get the best return on your retired equipment.

Why Does It Cost Money To Recycle Electronics?

The expense involved in handling and discarding of dangerous materials contained in e-waste can be substantial. Reputable e-cycling companies like TSR provide outlets for responsible disposal of your assets, while guaranteeing the safety of your data. Other providers save money by outsourcing this disposal to other countries, where workers might break it down unprotected or dispose of components irresponsibly. To comply with US government regulations and laws, we must spend more money, thus requiring us to charge fees for our service.