Can't see how to make circuit boards viable - show me the light or I give.

I doubt you will acquire many high grade boards "curb shopping".........This is kind of a specialized business and I have spent the last 7 years cultivating contacts for high grade ewaste..........Point being to get the better stuff you will more than likely have to purchase it and try to flip for a profit

I agree with Mikeinreco
If your going to do EWaste go to computer shops, and if the first one or ten says they have a pick up. Call back in a month or two. You can also blast stuff on Facebook pages (the buy and sale section for your area. If people are hesitant to give you (and yes I said give you) there old computers Reassure them you will give them a COD. I did that to my computer shop in town, and today I got a bunch of RAM and other stuff. Low Grade boards for me I put with my shred and give it to the metal recycler in town, who also takes printers off my hands for free. Anyway that's my 2 cents.

I almost forgot, I also bought some scrap RAM off of ebay and now I pay about 80% for his scrap with him paying for his own shipping. I even mentioned to him where I send it but he sends it to me because of shipping. So don't over look any opportunities to find potential customers.

Yep it takes along time to get enough stuff at the curb I have gotten 422 lbs. of ewaste over 6 - 7 years including low grade stuff I sell locally, and out of all that the total was $340.

Another way to think about it, don't concentrate on ewaste but when you get good material save it. If you have the space save until you can ship a pallet.

I suspect you will find much more ewaste as you go along and read the old threads and the advise you've been given in this thread. 73, Mike

Originally Posted by recyclersteve

Your theoretical $4.25/hour wage seems like it could apply to more than just computer boards. I could probably say that isn't far off for copper, aluminum, brass and steel that I take to the scrap yard. Another way to look at it- often times I pick up something from nearby businesses and load up my car before bringing the load home to put in my backyard. Then, when it is time to go to the scrap yard I load the car again only to unload it at the scrap yard. That is four separate times that I handle the same stuff. And in case someone asks the logical question "Why don't you go directly to the scrap yard?" Well, I like to have certain minimum amounts of items before going to the scrap yard. Also, I often pick things up late at night when the scrap yard is closed and don't want to leave everything just sitting in my vehicle as I don't have a garage to park in.

Yep moving stuff 4 times sucks especially steel as you said, get item load it up. Bring it home unload it. Then break it down and reload it and then unload it again for the last time at the scrap yard!

No goats yet?... Well how about a song!

https://www.ebay.com/itm/18321477291...84.m1555.l2649

Also my Ewaste prices have ranged from $135.00 a pound to $.15 a pound for low grade stuff. So separate and stack when you have enough of a item then sell that item... Do I wish that I had more than .4 ounces of the item that paid $135 a pound sure! But even $.15 a pound for low grade is better than shred price.

Originally Posted by eggsalad

I never bothered saving circuit boards. But then one of our forum members, JJinLV, opened a site here in town to buy boards (and other stuff). I figured I'd see if it was worth my time. I took 24 boards to his place of business today - a random mix of everything from low-grade stuff up to RAM modules.

A very nice lady named Melissa gave me $8.50 for this collection. Actually, the value was $8.50 but she gave me $9 because she didn't have change. Over 24 boards, that's about 35 cents per. At the low end, I figure it took 5 minutes to get at each board - from microwaves, TVs, and other electronics I found in the trash.

Thirty-five cents a board times 12 boards an hour makes me $4.25/hour. That's not taking into account the 45-minute round-trip drive and fuel. I can set that aside for a minute, because that cost would be the same for one board or a thousand.

I realize I'm small-time, but I wouldn't take a job paying half of minimum wage, so how could I make a side business of it?

Another view of this situation is that someone is paying you $ 4.25 an hour to get an education and be more productive in the future. This seems to be a bargain considering the U.S. student loan debt just hit a new record.

Originally Posted by Patriot76

Another view of this situation is that someone is paying you $ 4.25 an hour to get an education and be more productive in the future. This seems to be a bargain considering the U.S. student loan debt just hit a new record.

Of course you have been an educator other wise you would sound like me. Just saying "Very well stated" 73, Mike

This all has great value in it. But, you have to look at what circuit boards you are looking at collecting and where they are coming from. I run my business as a B2B only, I collect from only businesses, I did away with any residential customers because the quality and quantity was not there. I'm also picking the stuff for free where as many of the "big" business that do the same service charge an arm and a leg for so when I get into a business that was shopping around for an e-waste disposer, they know the value of my service to them. They are more than willing to clean up their space and continue to keep it clean and free of piles. I have heard quotes of upwards of 700 bucks to pickup from companies.

With that said, you tend to get a sizeable loads when you go for a pickup. If you start to learn what and which boards are what and separate them somewhat accordingly, you will see a higher return per load. Residential e-waste will never get you any where, unless you have a drop-off location where they can bring it to you. I run out to one of the buyers here that is just north of me and usually walk out with at least 300 monthly, sometimes more. Just bringing in 24 boards is by far not the best gage, but I would start with collecting a garbage can full of low grade boards first and you will see a difference.

Just doing business only has it draw-backs though, you need to find the right person to pull triggers and not dilly around with you.

Hopes this helps you a little better and doesn't push you away from the e-waste, it is a big learning experience that is always evolving. I have probably said to much.

Good luck