Electronics Recycling Questions

Have electronics recycling questions? See our most commonly asked questions below for answers:

Tech Dump Services

What We Recycle

Green & Responsible Recycling

 

Tech Dump Services

How much does it cost to recycle my items?

Nothing, it’s free! How nice. Certain types of CRTs may have a small disposal fee, but flat screens are always free. Give us a ring with your questions.
 

How can I schedule a pickup?

Easy. Call us at 763-432-3117 or send us an email.
 

Can I drop-off my electronics?

Oh yes, please do. We love visitors. Drop off your items anytime between 8:00 AM – 4:30 PM, Monday – Friday. We’re even happy to lend a hand unloading your e-junk.
 

How do I know who is qualified to recycle my electronics properly?

When recycling your electronics, you want to be more than confident that your old e-junk is going to a registered and licensed electronics collector. Period. You definitely don’t want your e-waste ending up in an overseas or U.S. landfill!

Tech Dump is a licensed and registered electronics recycler. We practice responsible downstream tracking so we can know exactly where your out-of-date electronics are headed. We hold our company and our downstream vendors to the highest standards of processing and recycling.

We encourage you to take a look at our qualifications and licensing.
 

Is Tech Dump a licensed electronic recycler?

Yes, yes and yes. We are register with the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA ID MNS000167288), licensed with Hennepin County (Operation ID 00117995 05395855) and fully insured with general liability insurance up to $2,000,000.
 

Can Tech Dump erase the personal data on my old computer?

Absolutely. We are serious about data privacy, which means we are professionals at safe and secure data destruction.

When you bring your computer to us to be recycled, all your data is permanently destroyed with a NIST/DOD-compliant erasure. This means that the data is electronically destroyed. If you like, we can issue you a nifty Certificate of Destruction to proudly display on your fridge.
 

My organization wants to host a Tech Dump. Where can I find details?

Host a Tech Dump you say? You certainly know how to give us the warm and fuzzies, don’t you? Go here to read all the snazzy info about how simple and easy it is host a Tech Dump and then, give us a call or drop us an email.
 

What makes Tech Dump different from other Minnesota recyclers?

TechDump.org is a division of Jobs Foundation, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit providing stable jobs to economically disadvantaged adults to obtain marketable job skills and a pathway to self-sufficiency.

We accomplish this through the collection and recycling of electronics (gently used, obsolete or damaged electronic components). This contributes to the green initiative as the proceeds from recycling and refurbishing electronics goes toward create jobs for those with barriers to employment.

While there are several electronics recycling companies in the Twin Cities, Tech Dump is unique because as we work hard to keep hazardous items out of landfills we are also working hard to create job opportunities for our program participants.

Our recycling services, for both residential and business needs are FREE (with the exception of old CRTs), and with enough items we offer FREE pick-ups. By recycling your old electronics with us, you are partnering with us to make the world a greener and better place.

And for that, we say thank you.
 

Recycling Information

What electronics will you recycle?

You can bring us all your computer-related electronics. We typically like everything that has a battery or a cord. Servers and switches, we like those too. Cell phones and surveying equipment, go ahead and make our day. Here is a short list of electronics we recycle.
 

Do you take CRT TVs and monitors?

Yes we do. We welcome flat panel and flat screen TVs here anytime for no additional cost. But you should know, there maybe a $10 fee for each CRT monitor or TV you recycle, so give us a call to learn more.

We only use best practices for recycling every CRT that is brought our way. Your $10 allows us to continue providing the highest standards for recycling and environmental responsibility, which is what we all want.
 

Do you take appliances?

Nope. But our partner organization, Jobs Foundation is always on the look out for quality appliances that are 10 years or newer. Jobs Foundation accepts other gently used items like furniture, exercise and medical equipment. They offer FREE pick-ups, just like us! Intrigued? Visit Jobs Foundation for the full scoop.
 

Green & Responsible

Why can’t I just throw away my old electronics?

Electronic waste is one of the fastest growing waste streams in the U.S. Every electronic owner needs to know that you can’t just throw your old electronics in the trash as you would throw away normal trash. In fact, incorrect disposal of your old electronics is so harmful to the environment, it’s illegal in Minnesota and countless other states.

Every electronic device we own contains hazardous materials like lead, cadmium and sometime even mercury. If our old electronics end up in landfills, these hazardous materials will eventually begin to contaminate our environment – and none of us want that to happen.

Recycling your e-waste responsibly is simple and easy. Do you have multiple items? Call or email us to schedule your free pick-up right now! Only have a couple of items? Stop by and drop off your e-junk. Did we mention it’s FREE?
 

Where does my e-junk go?

If your electronics aren’t too old, then we will do our best to reuse the items. Many electronics that come to us are older than we are, which means the time has come to bid that device a proper good-bye.

All electronics that are ready to be processed and recycled are separated by material type and sorted accordingly. Every ounce of every item is processed in the U.S., and most of the processing happens right here in the mid-west!
 

What does an electronics recycler do anyway?

We’re so happy you asked. The electronics recycling process can be broken into 3 steps:

  • The Collector
  • The Processor
  • The Recycler

The Collector gathers the electronics from community businesses and residents. Then the Processor separates the electronics while sorting the materials into groups (i.e. plastics, glass, metals, circuit boards, etc.,) Last up, the Recycler dismantles the components and uses various refining methods to bring the sorted components back to their purest and raw form. Now that raw material is ready to be reused.

You can call Tech Dump a Collector and a Processor. Once we disassemble your electronics, they are sent off to our trusted Recycler partners to properly finish the electronic recycling process.