Frequently Avoided Questions about IT disposal

Frequently Avoided Questions.

So how much is this actually going to cost me?

Some items such as desktop printers are free. Its impossible to issue blanket pricing but we can normally quote you in less than 5 mins if you call us.


What actually happens to our computer equipment after you pick it up?

It’s taken to a licensed Approved Authorised Treatment Facility in Kent, one of the most up to date in Europe, where it’s broken down into component base materials and recycled in accordance with the WEEE Directive. Occasionally, suitable items are refurbished and sold. We never put anything into landfill.

What paperwork do I have to do?

None. We list all your items as they are loaded and give you a copy. If you tell us in advance, we will send you a list of the asset numbers for auditing purposes

How does the invoicing work?

We send your invoice when all of the items have been recycled, together with all the Environment Agency paperwork required under the WEEE Directive for your records

Why are all these companies saying they’ll ship it to Africa? Is it a scam?

There is one major legitimate government backed charity that sends PCs to Africa but it only sends high specification up to date equipment. Unfortunately, there is a large illegal highly profitable trade in e waste (WEEE) scrap to developing countries, that's damaging to health and the environment. The situation is so bad BBC Panorama recently featured an investigation into it resulting in prosecutions.


Shouldn’t I just go with a big company like Veolia?

Bigger companies like Veolia have large overheads so their prices tend to be higher. We try to beat them on price and customer service.


What other equipment do you collect and recycle?

We also recycle flourescent tubes, batteries as well as IT equipment from printers to monitors and laptops.

What happens to the hard drives?

The HDDs are wiped to US defence department standard and all the data is completely removed. After that you are sent a certificate listing all of the HDD numbers that have been wiped. We’re registered with the Information Commissioners under the Data Protection Act for this purpose. The hard drives can also be physically shredded if required.

What's inside my old computers?

There are hundreds of different materials and chemicals inside a computer. To prove the point below is a list of just the metals inside your computer:

Lithium (internal battery),Magnesium (various), Aluminum (case, circuit board foil),Titanium (various),Iron (hard drives), Nickel (internal battery), Copper (CRTs, ICs, heat sinks), Zinc (solder), Yttrium (CRTs, LEDs), Palladium (electrical contact), Silver (electrical contact), Cadmium (CRT phosphors), Indium (LCDs, transistors), Tin (solder),Barium (CRTs), Tantalum (capacitors, resistors), Gold (electrical contact), Mercury (LCDs), Lead (solder, CRTs), Samarium (headphones), Gadolinium (CDs, memory), Dysprosium (CDs)

 

Err... what exactly is Weee?

The WEEE Directive for the easily bored: Despite the fun sounding ‘Weee’ at the beginning, the weee directive isn’t ordering you to go out and enjoy yourself. Unfortunately, instead its a document that makes you legally responsible for doing the right thing with your old IT equipment.

Can I chuck my old IT equipment into the hedge?

Your IT equipment is potentially very toxic. PCs, monitors, print cartridges etc all contain hundreds of different materials, some of which are hazardous, so its important they are all disposed of properly.

In practical terms the Weee directive means you must contract a company that is certified to provide Weee services and that is willing to do the legal paperwork for you.