Question for the 'Professional' E waste buyers..

Hi guys,

Adam from Australia here.

(here is my introduction)
http://www.scrapmetalforum.com/showt...tralian-member


I have a question regarding the current e waste market in the US.

I have read alot of threads (on this, and other forums) about the prices many are getting for computer parts (CPU, Boads etc.. @ XX$ per lb) and it got me thinking.

How long has a market for selling this type of scrap exsisted in the US?

The current situation here in Australia is that some smaller e watse recycling centres started up a few years back, and now the more major players such as SIMS metals are getting involved, however it seems that these places still charge companies a hefty fee for collecting and recycling; there end of life systems, and the smaller 'free computer drop off' ones I have spoken with don't seem to want anything older than a P4 machine.

I often wonder at what point did people catch on, leading to the sellers market you seemto enjoy over the other side of the ocean, and also as to whether Australia will also go this way.



I must say, if this will one day be the case here in Australia, i wil just continue to collect, breakdown and store e waste, stopping only to recycle the 'easy' items such as wires, heat sinks, power suplies, steel cases etc..


Any thoughts on this gents?

Many thanks,

Adam.

Olddude is correct. eBay was really one of the major springboards for e-scrap along with the huge jumps in the price of gold. I myself found out about e-scrap almost 5 years ago before it was illegal to throw away electronics and I did by searching eBay. Things are a bit different right now since states are passing laws regulating e-waste in many forms.

And yes, many companies still charge fees for disposal of electronics. The reason why is simple....Because they can. E-waste has been labeled as toxic and therefore dangerous and with that companies see an opportunity to charge because there is no other way to get rid of the material. So it is a golden opportunity for those that want to get in the game. By not charging and simply accepting the items for free there is plenty of money to be made if the person is willing to do the hard work.

Thanks again for the replies.

I feel I should add tha I 'CAN' sell towers etc to my yard, but I would only get sheet steel price for them only