eCycle Frequently Asked Questions
What is refurbishing? Are there any costs involved? Do you accept all computers? What is the preferred way for you to handle your end-of-life computers? Several charitable organizations will accept newer working computers that they then re-distribute to individuals that could not otherwise afford them. These organizations may or may not charge a fee to accept working computer equipment. Non-working or used computers not suitable for direct reuse can be sent to a legitimate computer recycler such as the Sebastian County Solid Waste District. Can I put my used computer equipment in the regular trash? NO. PLEASE DO NOT put it in the regular trash. The local landfill at the City of Fort Smith, has prohibited the dumping of computers in your household trash barrel.The District strongly encourages households to “do the right thing” and make the effort to refurbish or recycle their old computers. If you really want to “trash” your end-of-life computer then you must send it for disposal at a permitted hazardous waste landfill. In this case, if you are a business entity and you choose not to recycle you end-of-life computers, you are considered to be the “generator” of hazardous waste and must follow state regulatory requirements regarding proper hazardous waste management and disposal. Businesses are encourage to contact the Sebastian County Solid Waste District for assistance. How do I package the used computer for disposal? While computer equipment destined for disposal is still in your possession, you should store it in a manner to prevent breakage. Each device should be labeled as "Waste Electronics," "Used Electronics" or "Universal Waste Electronics." You may substitute the device name (e.g., monitor) in place of the word "electronics" if you prefer. If the device or component is placed into an accumulation container or is securely stacked on a pallet, only the container or pallet needs to be labeled, not each individual component or device. Where can I go for more information? For more detailed information on managing your end-of-life computers call the Sebastian County Solid Waste Management District office at 479-452-4101.
Do I reuse/donate or recycle my computer?
You have a choice to reuse/donate your computer or recycle it. If your computer is not working or is more than five years old, it’s usually better to send it to a computer recycler. If it’s less than five years old, there is a good chance that someone else can put your computer to good use. If disposed of in a landfill, however, harmful chemicals could contaminate the soil and groundwater.
Refurbished is a term used to describe a computer hardware component. Because a company cannot resell a computer product as new if it has been sold and used or if the box has been opened, it must be labeled as a refurbished part and/or computer. A refurbished part or computer may have been sold to someone and returned for many reasons. A refurbished computer or part will commonly be labeled in the store as a referb, refurbish, or refurbished and usually will be sold at a lower cost than the non-refurbished computer or part.
Yes. The Sebastian County Solid Waste District can have your end-of-life computer and printer legitimately for a small fee. This small fee cannot be avoided because there is quite a bit of expense involved with the having a facility to receive, sort,package and ship end-of-life computers and their components.
Yes. Virtually every kind of computer has hazardous components that need to be kept out of the landfill.
This depends on the age and condition of the computer. The rule of thumb is that any computer that is less than five years can be refurbished and used for simple tasks such as email, internet, and creating simple documents for school work and home use.
