Several E-Waste Questions

I apologize if these are answered somewhere - in searching (as well as just perusing the threads), I didn't see anything that clarified them for me.

1) Before I even finished a question, one of the yards I go to answered NO, they don't take e-waste and directed me to a local guy - one that doesn't pay anything. Do most of you have yards that DO take these things, or do you go through private buyers on this forum? I want to get rid of some stuff but I also need the money if possible.

2) I have gone over the threads regarding the components of computers and whatnot but I guess I still wonder how many of you break them down, removing and separating all these smaller pieces? I came across a phone system station with three large circuit boards within the casing and as such, many, MANY of these components (especially resistors). Do you break it down until you are essentially left with the naked board (assuming everything else is easily removable)?
On a related note, if you take all of the small parts apart for copper (where applicable), etc., what about the recycling of the leftover plastic? I am exploring this for the money, but I care about the planet as well. I just wonder if it's only the plastic bits, can it go in with other recyclable plastics or should it not? I haven't really ripped anything open yet, other than that outer casing because I wanted to double-check on all these questions.

1) Every yard is different - some take e-waste, some don't. Of those that do, some pay well, but most don't. Depending on what I have, I have used local yards, not-so-local yards, and buyers from here.

2) There are several threads detailing how to break down a computer, TV, VCR, etc. YouTube has several videos as well. Most of us separate the circuit board from whatever case it is in (computer tower, VCR, cable box, etc.). If it is high-grade, you will make the most by leaving it as is. The only thing I would even consider removing are socketed components - those that are not soldered in place (IC chips for the most part). Everything else stays on. If it is low-grade (brown on at least one side, although plenty of green boards are low grade as well - with experience you'll be able to tell the difference), then it is ok to remove the copper bearing parts - transformers, chokes, etc. The thing to keep in mind is that removing things from high-grade boards devalue them causing you to make less money, while removing things from low-grade boards will cause you to make more money. For example, you can take a motherboard from a computer that is worth $2-$3/lb depending on the market and take stuff off of it. Then you will have a board that is worth only $0.50-$1/lb and the parts you removed won't make up the difference. You lose money. You can take a brown board from a VCR that is worth $0.10-$0.25/lb. Take the transformer and chokes off of it. You now have a brown board worth $0.10-$0.25/lb and a transformer and other copper-bearing material worth $0.20-$0.50/lb You make more money.

I'd add most computer stuff is higher grade, most printer stuff medium, and most TV & radio boards on the lower end.
For Computer stuff if it's screwed on or socketed it goes in it's own pile, but never recommend breaking off a soldered component until you know exactly what you're doing. Some aluminum heatsinks are stuck on with plastic anchors that it's easiest to break those tho.

The boards you mentioned are likely tele-com boards, usually the highest value, and it's possible those type units have resale value well above scrap. You just need to do some research on the unit such as google the make and model number till you know for sure what you've got. Most of us have broken down or scrapped things that might have brought much more so it's best to go slow at first until you know more about the different categories of ewaste and what units and components are worth attempting to sell whole.

There's also other categories such as vintage, which are maybe worth more, or newer systems, which are maybe worth more, plus a whole bunch of stuff in between that's not worth messing with other than for scrap. You'll learn as you see more and more of it

and as always, read read read ; ) Good luck!

Where in Maine are you?
E. Perry Iron and Metal in Portland pays good for SOME Boards like computer motherboards and finger cards. I do not bring ram, CPU's and things like that to him.
That is the only yard in Maine that I know of that comes close to the buyers on this forum.
Chris

I'll add..categories, an generalizations..are like Opinions..we all got'm, but their not always right. Mine included..lol.

Don't assume something is low grade or whatever till you actually break it down. Breaking things down will get you more experience, then any youtube video. Hands on is the way to go. Pick something Break it down, Google or search it here, an continue to break it on down.

I learned long ago to assume in this business will cost you money. If I went with the school of thought of.."this will most likely be brown/low grade" I'd never have found out bout DPL/DLP(stupid chip, confuses me every time), high end boards in cheap house phones, remotes with gold baring boards, etc.

If your new to this game..(Not just the op) then break things down yourself for the learning an experience. You'll learn more then you will by us explaining it to you, or some youtube jocky showing you so he can up his hits an money from his video. Once you got item in hand an ready to break down, again..come here an search past threads, or Google the item in question, an the learning will continue on. Over time you'll get an idea of whats what. You'll also decide what you like to break down. Lot of folks just focus on computers, an ignore every other electronic, some do the opposite. I enjoy breaking them all down, there is money in all of it. It just varies on the amount of money..lol.

I stand by hands on experience breaking everything down is the way to go, an learn what your messing with. I also stand by the if it's your first time breaking something down, come on here an search. You'll find the answers you seek. An if not, we can point you to where you can.

One more thing...Youtube can be useful, just take it all with a grain of salt.

Sirscrapalot - Pick it, break it, profit off it.

Thanks so much everyone. It IS a tele-comm board from an old hospital system - my father bought an outdated phone system from his work and installed it in our house when I was a kid (he's a systems manager). I moved back a few months ago and they have a LOT of stuff kicking around here that I've been told I'm free to take, as long as it ends up GONE - including that station. Their basement is where I got my first metal load, too. I already popped off a few (three) of the soldered components :/ because they were some of the ones that have copper coils inside. Didn't realize "breaking down" did not necessarily include the soldered bits. Definitely think this may be a case of having lost out on something of greater value - they appear to be for sale in various places online, and now I've popped things off that maybe I shouldn't have.

My $.02 Find a buyer on here and ship computer components in bulk, cases and wire (after you cut the ends off ribbon cable) go to the yard. I have found busting open computers to be addictive just to see what is in them, careful or you will get addicted too. :) Good luck and have fun.

The lower grade stuff like TV and stereo, VCRs, brown boards etc it doesn't matter if you break off the transformers and aluminum heatsinks, grab all that off that you want, those boards, stripped or not, will most likely go in with shred/tin/light metal scraps anyway(unless you have a yard there that buys low grade boards)

My yard doesn't buy ewaste either, but it does buy steel, wire, aluminum, copper bearing motors, etc. So your job is to simply deconstruct the ewaste. Like others said, open something up and tear it apart. You can't hurt anything. It's garbage otherwise destined for the dump. You need tools, a workspace, and containers to separate your components.

If you have a lot of resources and high volume buyers, you can maximize your profit through the volume of waste. If you have limited resources, you can maximize your income through more careful breakdown. Your labor costs are going to be higher the more you handle each piece. Only you can determine what your labor is worth. I am small time, so I break down nearly everything to maximize return per item at the expense of my labor costs. I am only now reaching the point where the flow of material is increasing and may force a change in this approach.

The more hands on you are early on the more you can determine where the "meat" is. I still strip the boards of most of the components I consider sellable, including soldered medium sized ICs and eproms. I am pretty thorough about what I take off, but do not have any problem with throwing the stripped boards in the shred since there is still a fair amount of copper and brass that is simply not economical to remove by hand. The boards are not "naked" fiber, but stripped of what I can reasonably access and sell. To help determine what you strip off the boards, find out what the market is for the various components. Some you can sell locally, others you have to ship.

I don't get paid for plastics. Most of it goes to the local recycling center, some ends up in the trash. You have to assess your own economics of waste disposal to include time, fuel, and utilization of space.

You'll figure a lot out by just working through it. Good luck.