• Why should I recycle e-waste?
    • The U.S. produces more hazardous e-waste than any other country – 9.4 million tons a year – but recycles only 12.5% of it. (Source: earth911.com)
    • E-waste represents 2% of America’s trash in landfills, but accounts for 70% of our overall toxic waste. (Source: dosomething.org)
    • Much of what is labeled “e-waste” is not waste at all, but rather whole electronic equipment or parts that are readily marketable for reuse or can be recycled for materials recovery. (Source: dosomething.org)
    • Recycling one million laptops saves the energy equivalent of the electricity used by 3,657 U.S. homes in a year, according to the EPA. (source: earth911.com)
    • Old television sets and cathode ray tube (CRT) monitors contain roughly 4-8 pounds of lead, a neurotoxin. Without proper disposal, this lead can leach into the ground. (source: earth911.com)
  • What are your hours?

    Our hours are Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Please contact us about holiday hours of operation.

  • What items do you recycle and refurbish?

    See a full list of Electronics We Recycle. As far as refurbishing, our goal is to find a “home” for any device or component that has useful life, from an old Sony Walkman to a computer server. Reuse is a much better option for our environment than disassembling the item for recycling.

  • What items are you unable to accept?

    We do not accept the following items:

    • Air conditioners
    • Bulbs
    • Dehumidifiers
    • Large home appliances
    • Smoke alarms
    • Thermostats containing mercury
    • Any other hazardous waste
  • Do you offer on-site pick-up?

    Yes. Costs vary by location and load, so please contact us to discuss your specific needs.

  • Can I drop off items for recycling?

    We do not take drop offs. Please call Genesis Electronics Recycling at 888-788-4363 for drop offs at their Buffalo Grove facility.

  • What is Responsible Electronic Recycling’s process for pick-up and possession of electronic waste?

    Our goal is to make the process as easy and convenient as possible. After your initial request by phone or through our website, we will follow up to discuss:

    • Pickup location (ground level, loading dock, other)
    • Items to be recycled
    • Any special requirements (serialized inventory, data destruction requirements)
    • Written estimate COI or tracking information if required for prior approval
    • Pickup address, hours of operation, and point of contact for pickup
    • Schedule a pickup time and date for pickup

    After pickup and processing time, we will provide you with the following:

    • Invoice (net 30)
    • Certificate of Recycling (items recycled and total weight)
    • Asset inventory and data destruction certificate, if requested
    • Return in investment (if applicable)
  • Does Responsible Electronic Recycling adhere to R2v3 Standard?

    Yes. We are proud to adhere to R2v3, one of two independent certifying bodies that help ensure the quality, transparency, and environmental and social responsibility of electronics recycling facilities. Click here for more information on R2 Standard.

  • How do you ensure safe and compliant destruction of sensitive and personal data on hard drives?

    Complete data eradication is a top priority at Responsible Electronic Recycling. We adhere to National Institute of Standards and Technology Guidelines for Media Sanitation NIST.SP.800-88r1 published by the US Department of Commerce. As technology changes rapidly, so do data destruction methods.  We use industry approved hardware and software to ensure complete compliance and the highest standards for media sanitation as well as a additional safeguards such as routine R2 auditing. Our facility is equipped with 24-hour video and electronic surveillance and we carry professional liability and data breach insurance.

  • Is there a cost to recycle electronics and if so, why?

    There are several items that require a fee to recycle.  Some examples are: household alkaline batteries, televisions, microwave ovens, small household appliances, CRT computer monitors and some audio and video equipment. Some items have a fee due to special handling requirements for internal toxic waste (such as lead in CRT tubes) or the lack of value in the scrap material after disassembly. The only other common fee is a charge for pickup.

  • What is the law in Illinois concerning electronic recycling?

    Municipalities, schools, businesses, and residents are bound by the Illinois Environmental Protection Act and must manage end-of-life materials through qualified electronics recycling contractors. Effective January 1, 2012, these electronic devices are banned from being placed in the garbage and must be properly recycled: Televisions, Monitors, Printers, Computers (laptop, notebook, netbook, tablet, desktop), Keyboards, Facsimile Machines, Videocassette Recorders, Portable Digital Music Players, Digital Video Disc Players, Video Game Consoles, Servers, Scanners, Electronic Mice, Digital Converter Boxes, Cable Receivers, Satellite Receivers, and Digital Video Disc Recorders.