I just wanted to share a tip for finding e-scrap. It has been by far, my best producer of scrap. Every couple of weeks, I send out a round of emails to businesses I find on Google, chamber of commerce websites, and other business directories. I look for tech related companies such as managed IT shops, etc... I send out a simple and clear email stating what my company does - responsibly recycle unwanted computer related equipment. I let them know that pickup and recycling are free of charge. Sometimes you need to do some digging around to find the right person to email, but it pays off. After I picked up some stuff from one school, I emailed the other school districts in the area. A few weeks later, I had 140 computers, 100+ monitors, 500lbs of keyboards and mice, 15 laptops, a working projector (kids love to watch movies on that), laser disk player and tons of misc cables and other equipment. I picked up about 50 pcs from a managed it shop. Another managed it shop has had me do 2 pickups for their clients and another one in the works. I just got word from another place I emailed a few weeks ago and am picking up 37 desktops and 3 servers today.
You might not hear back from them immediately, but it will get them thinking about clearing out old equipment and they will save your contact info. Make sure to be professional in your email because first impressions are huge. If they don't trust you, they won't hand over potentially sensitive information on hard drives and trust that you will properly erase the data.
p.s. networking is good, too. My brothers employer wants me to pick up 75-100 all-in-one (lcd) computers (some with touch screens) and a handful of commercial copy machines from them. Those computers may be worth refurbishing and reselling.
Register To Reply
Originally Posted by miked
Bookmarks