Newbie to e-recycling

Hello Guys,

I am a young entrepreneur who is starting his own E-Waste business. Background info, I am very knowledgeable with the repair (both Software and Hardware) of computers and decided to start a non-profit venture for my community . After seeing the success stories and sales view of things, I have changed the direction of the business. I would like to Recycle Computers, Printers and everything IT related to later on resell at cheap prices. There is a local University in which the students can benefit from lower priced electronics, and anyone who would like a computer and does not have $600 for a new one.

I have about 2,000 Square feet in the Basement which will serve as my base of operations for right now (This will include a dis-assembly , Test , scrapping areas).

I just filled for my TAX ID, and LLC paperwork (should be coming next week). The only thing I am stuck on is WHERE TO GET THE EQUIPMENT FROM!!!

I have checked on Craigslist, Ebay, etc and have stumbled across large computer lots taken from Hospitals, Businesses and Schools. Based on your expertise, how do I approach these institutions for their equipment? Is there a bidding / buying process? I know most recyclers pay by the pound for their electronics, but how do they reach these individuals?


THANK YOU (and please, comment to educate and to help, not to troll or make fun ).

Welcome to the board !

The standard advise given to someone new is to read,read,read. It's all here in the different threads.

It's just a suggestion, but one thing you might do before jumping in is to do a bit of networking in your local market area. Maybe get a feel for who might already be doing it ? The competition for the e-waste resource is pretty intense in some areas and less so in others.

Thank you olddude! I've been reading most of your replies and you my friend are a knowledgeable individual !

The only issue I am having is searching for the information... im not too familiar with the LINGO yet so its a bit tough.. but I will find a way!

Thank you!

First thing I decided to do when scrapping was buy an LLC and get 1k business cards printed off and opened up a second bank account with a tax ID.
So far the LLC hasnt been used at ALL, zero money ever went into the bank account, and I still have about 990 business cards.
Would I say any of that was a mistake? Definitely not, BUT the only time I actually started learning was when I had scrap in my hands. I read and read, but it all went out the window until I was actually doing.

I also posted on here as soon as I started and got a few people telling me I did things too fast. At the time I didn't think it was true, but now I KNOW it was true haha =D

As for the diversity of eScrap and what can be done with it is nearly endless. Like Sinroch said, you have to find a niche. Research into resale of parts, or specialize in refurbishing full systems, or break them down completely to the Caps/pins/Diodes/etc. I recommend getting a load of material and going from there... see what you like.

Wish ya the best!

Originally Posted by olddude

1. Study old threads, study old threads, study old threads.

2. Network, network, network.

3. Advertize, advertize, advertize.

Do those 3 things and we will answer any questions you may have.

This x20!

An 4. The search feature is your friend.

Sirscrapalot - Keeper of the traveling cooler.

I don't know about an LLC, but under my S Corp, I can do whatever I want. I can work my handyman trade, or I practice my computer repair business, or I can do computer help and training, or anything else I want to do as income. If you decide you don't want to use the LLC for e-scrap business, you and use it for a repair and training business... Just don't name the LLC something on the order of "Complete Computer Destruction as Well as the Annihilation of all Usable Data LLC" or you may have trouble attracting repair business.

I would suggest learning about and making a plan for data destruction. Will you be wiping and reselling hard drives? Shredding them? How can you assure your customers that their data is protected? What kind of protection can you provide yourself in case someone ever comes back to you saying that information on a hard drive given to you ever gets lost or stolen?