Recycling Opportunities for Small Quantities

Cascade is best set up to meet the needs of businesses and institutions requiring regular pickups or service and who have a mix of reusable and recyclable equipment. We admit, we're often not the best option for small businesses who need to dispose of 5 to 10 units at a time. Cascade also is not set up to service individuals directly. The minimum charge to pickup small loads or process each order will typically make the cost to process each asset prohibitive. Cascade charges $45 plus $0.40/lb for equipment dropped off at a facility, unless it is from a business customer who already has a regular account with us.

There are good alternatives for small businesses and institutions who wish to have their used computers recycled responsibly and securely:

Small Businesses

If you can store and accumulate computer equipment throughout the year, Cascade can pick up more equipment at one time, thereby lowering the average cost to process each item. Cascade charges $30 plus $2.00 per mile to pick-up equipment from a customer site. It's a convenient way to get your old equipment hauled away, but if you just have a handful of items, you may want to drop off the equipment to a recycling site.

Individuals and Small Businesses

1. Drop off the equipment at one of Cascade's partner recycling facilities. They'll accept equipment typically with no minimums. The equipment eventually comes to Cascade for processing. There may be some restrictions on who can drop off items. More details are listed in our information on Cascade collection sites.
2. Take equipment to another recycler. While Cascade can't speak to the data security, tracking or environmental compliance programs from other recyclers, we do want you to know that other recycling options exist for recycling small quanties of items. Because of the many new state laws regarding computer recycling, there has been a proliferation of recycling programs across the country. Many Goodwills now do accept computers for recycling, but you are still responsible for removing all data before dropping them off at one of these centers. The Basel Action Network also maintains a web site of responsible electronics recyclers. View this list at www.e-stewards.org.
3. Look for Community Collection Events. Cascade participates in some collection events and also lists other good programs on its web site.
4. Use collection and take back programs provided by manufacturers and retailers. Often, when you buy a new computer, the manufacturer will take back your old unit. Also, many Staples, Best Buy, and Office Depot stores will accept old computers and peripherals.

A note about donations . . .

Cascade supports the donation of working, usable equipment to charities. There are vast numbers of computers made available to charities that are 3 - 4 years old, in good condition, and loaded with appropriate software. Unfortunately, many household computers are more than 5 years old. With the glut of used computers on the market, charities can often choose to be picky and may not want your old equipment. Charities also prefer to receive a number of similar devices at once, making it hard to manage and integrate individual donations of computers. It's not a good idea to "donate" an old, unusable computer to a charity that they'll need to eventually pay to recycle properly.

If you do have a newer computer or computing device that is in good condition, then donation may be a good option. Contact your local United Way about donation opportunities - they often maintain a "wish list" of donations for the charities they support. You can also look to the National Cristina Foundation, which has a well organized program to donate computers to programs that support children with disabilities. In Madison, Cascade supports the DaneNet non-profit program, which provides low-cost information technology equipment and services to other non-profits.

Also remember that before you donate your computer, be sure to wipe off all your personal data.

If you do choose to donate your computer, think about also making a financial contribution to the charity to help them with software purchases and ongoing support. Then, your donation will really make a difference!