The Cuyahoga County Solid Waste District is sponsoring Recycle Your Computer Month during the month of August.  Residents can recycle unwanted home computer equipment at local collection events sponsored by participating cites.  Please scroll down for a list of participating cities and collection dates.

Is this program successful? How much equipment was recycled in 2008?
Cuyahoga County recycled over 959 tons of computer equipment in 2008.  This number includes 581 tons collected from residents and 378 tons recycled by businesses.  Since the launch of our computer recycling program in August 2000, Cuyahoga County has recycled over 3,700 tons of computers and their peripheral devices.  We appreciate your recycling efforts!! 

What can be recycled during Recycle Your Computer Month?
Acceptable home computer equipment includes CPU’s, monitors, keyboards, mice, printers, terminals, modems, cables, software, and ink printer cartridges.  Cell phones and their accessories are also accepted.

What will happen to the computers that are collected?
Computers turned in during this event will be recycled by RET3 job corp., a not-for-profit computer recycler located on the east side of Cleveland.   RET3 has partnered with OneCommunity, another local not-for-profit broadband provider that works to give students technology skills for the workplace and, in turn, drive economic development in the region.   OneCommunity has a goal of putting 50,000 computers in Northeast Ohio schools over the next five years.

What will happen to the data on my computer?
All computer hard drives received by RET3 are erased of all data using U.S. Department of Defense specifications. This secure system eradicates all the information stored on your computer and protects your confidentiality.  After the hard drive is cleaned, usable computer systems are remanufactured.  Unrepairable equipment is completely deconstructed.  If your donation does not meet school specifications, RET3 job corp. will recycle the equipment in a process that is fully compliant with EPA standards and offers a 100% no-landfill guarantee. Raw materials are sold, and profits benefit the OneCommunity program.

I am a business with computers I need to get rid of.  What can I do with my old equipment?
Businesses with computers to recycle should contact RET3 for pick-up and drop-off requirements. Call (216) 361-9991 or log onto www.ret3.org  A list of other local computer recyclers can also be found in our online Recycling Directory for Business & Industry http://www.cuyahogaswd.org/business/recdirectory.asp

Is my donation tax deductible?
Yes.  To obtain a receipt contact the Cuyahoga County Solid Waste District at (216) 443-3749 or info@cuyahogaswd.org   Please provide your name and mailing address.  A receipt will be mailed to you.

What about televisions and other electronics?
Television recycling is not a free service in Cuyahoga County.  Televisions are not accepted during Recycle Your Computer Month.  While there is no ban in Ohio on placing televisions and electronics in the regular trash, there are retailers and local companies that offer recycling services for these items.  There may be a fee.
 
Why do we collect and recycle computer equipment?
Computer technology changes fast and many computers at home and in the workplace are replaced every few years to keep pace with the latest and fastest technology. This trend has created a hidden problem, namely, what to do with the millions of outdated computers replaced annually.   Computer equipment contains many hazardous components, which make them unsuitable for disposal in a landfill.  By recycling computers, we reclaim the metals and plastic and other valuable components in the equipment and recycle them into new products.

What if my city is not having a computer collection?
If your city is not participating in this event, you can recycle your equipment directly with RET3 Job Corp.  RET3 accepts and recycles computers year-round.  Equipment can be turned in at the warehouse facility, located at 1814 East 40th Street in Cleveland.  Equipment can be dropped off Monday through Friday at the rear of the building from 8:00-3:00.  RET can be contacted at (216) 361-9991 or www.ret3.org

When is my local collection event?
The following communities are participating in Recycle Your Computer Month by holding a collection for their residents.  Please contact your city service department for more information.