Recycling

The purpose of this document is to allow anyone to schedule or perform a recycling run for FGTC.

The E-waste FGTC recycles can be split into two basic types: Metal and Non-Metal. Each type is handled differently.

MëTäL

Metal recycling (mostly aluminum and steel) is simple and requires little planning as metal is generally not an environmental hazard when recycled. Many metal recyclers will pickup and carry for no fee and be willing to work on a schedule you provide. There is no reason why FGTC should have to pay or perform any work for metal recycling. If the chosen recycler requests payment or fee a new recycler should be chosen.

Currently FGTC works with a metal recycler named Kenneth (612) 978-0602. He may be called to schedule a metal pickup. Be sure that when the pickup is made the recycler does not grab any other metal not intended to be recycled.

In the future it may be in FGTCs best interests to do the metal recycling itself as this could provide another revenue stream.

Non-Metal

Non-metal e-waste may contain metal as part of its composition.

Examples include:

Plastics
Motherboards
Displays (CRT and LCD)
Cables (Power, IDE, USB, etc.)
Hard Drives
Printers

Part of the Free Geek Charter is the responsible disposal of e-waste. To this end, FGTC should (must?) use a BAN certified recycling partner for Non-Metal items.

Currently FGTC works with a local company called MPC. FGTC has arranged a deal with MPC where we receive credit for Medium Quality circuit boards (Motherboards, CPUs, and other high density circuit boards). This credit helps us offset the costs of recycling other items we would normally pay for; like CRTs and Printers.

To drop off items at MPC, they must be made aware of the incoming materials and a bill of lading must be created and attached to each container of materials being recycled.

To schedule a drop off and have a bill of lading created, e-mail Kimberly Howard: khoward mpc-e com

Sample e-mail request:

Hi Kimberly,
My name is _____, I work with Free Geek Twin Cities and would like to get a bill of lading for a recycling run. We have about _____ boxes of plastic and _____ boxes of circuit boards. We would like to drop off tomorrow or possibly the next day.
Thanks,

Once the e-mail is sent she will respond with a bill of lading attached or possibly a few further questions for clarification. Once you have the bill of lading you may basically drop off the materials whenever they are open M-F 7:00AM-3:30PM (be aware that lunch is taken at ~1PM).

Once the material has been received and processed, you will likely receive an e-mail indicating how many pounds of each material category was received a few days later. Please be sure to forward this e-mail to the staff list so we can use it in our yearly reporting to the state.

CRTs

CRT monitors are a special case in recycling, since they often contain lead (several pounds of it) in their (titular) tubes; fortunately, Minnesota mandates that manufacturers have programs to deal with them.

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