There are many compelling reasons to recycle obsolete electronic equipment, inlcuding protection of sensitive information and avoidance of environmental liability.

Here are answers to some common questions about electronics recycling and GRX. Don't see your question? Would you like a more thorough answer? Just contact us, and we will be happy to clarify any issue.

1. What are the hazards of discarding my old electronics with the rest of my trash?
   Electronics contain pollutants such as lead, mercury, cadmium, chromium, phosphorous, lithium, and polycarbons. Electronics that are dumped in the trash often end up in landfills, where these substances can leach into the groundwater and soil. Flame retardant chemicals in computer plastics can release highly toxic dioxins when burned in trash incinerators.
   
   
2. Is it illegal to dispose of electronics in landfills?
   In Colorado, electronics are classified as hazardous waste, so local regulations dictate that any electronic waste from non-residential sources (businesses, government agencies, etc.) cannot be disposed of in solid waste landfills. Electronic waste must be disposed of at a hazardous waste facility or recycled. Please see the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment's website for more information.
   
   
3. What are the benefits of recycling versus resale?
   If a computer is working, then it's still useful, right? Although resale and resuse is sometimes an option, in most cases the current pace of technology has rendered many working systems obsolete. Resale and donation simply pass the disposal problem to another party, often someone less well-equipped to deal with it properly. The Colorado Department of Public Health and the Environment even warns on their website
   

   not to attempt to "dump" your old, unusable equipment on these entities in an effort to avoid your own waste management responsibilities.

   Recycling equipment is the best choice once it has reached the end of its useful life. It keeps toxic compounds out of our landfills and helps to conserve our natural resources.
   
   
4. What are the issues regarding the export of electronic waste?
   A lot of American electronic waste is exported to developing countries which typically lack the capability to recycle it properly. This form of 'recycling' has resulted in large scale environmental and public health damage in a number of Asian and Latin American countries. GRX does NOT export electronic waste and is a signer of the BAN pledge which specifically forbids this practice.
   
   
5. What is the GRX recycling process?
   GRX demanufactures all material at its facilities. Demanufacturing involves taking apart and separating all electronic devices into four distinct material streams: precious metals, other metals, plastics, and glass. Our process results in the diversion of greater than 95% of materials from landfills and incinerators.
   
   
6. Where does it all go?
   We work with carefully selected downstream partners that prepare the material we send them for reintroduction into manufacturing processes. We can provide full documentation about our partners' processes. For a summary, check here.
   
   
7. What can GRX recycle?
   GRX recycles virtually any obsolete electronics. We handle everything from large copiers to PDA's, old televisions and stereo equipment to printers. No item is too small or large. Check out our pricing to see some of our more commonly recycled items. Just give us a call at 720-377-7700 if you don't see your item on the list.

Please call 720-377-7700 if you have any questions about us or our practices!