FAQS
Find answers to common questions about electronics recycling, e-waste recycling, battery recycling, light bulb recycling, hard drive destruction, shredding, mail-in recycling, pickups, drop-offs, and responsible recycling services.
GETTING STARTED
Getting Started
How to ask for a quote, a pickup or a drop-off.
- Contact Recycle Technologies with information about the materials you need to recycle, the approximate quantity, your location, and whether you need pickup, drop-off, or another service option.
- Contact Recycle Technologies and provide your location, material type, approximate volume, and preferred timing. The team can determine the available pickup options.
- It helps to know what materials you have, approximately how much material needs to be recycled or destroyed, where it is located, and whether you need pickup, drop-off, mail-in recycling, or secure destruction.
- Contact the team before disposing of the item. Provide the name, type, and quantity of the material so the appropriate service can be confirmed.
- Choose the recycling or shredding service you need, review the applicable service area and accepted materials, and contact Recycle Technologies for a quote, pickup, drop-off, or mail-in option.
GENERAL RECYCLING QUESTIONS
General Recycling Questions
What we accept, and why it matters where it goes.
- Recycle Technologies provides recycling and secure destruction services for a wide range of materials, including electronics, computers, televisions, batteries, light bulbs, lamps, ballasts, hard drives, mobile phones, paper, and other accepted materials.
- Recycling keeps usable materials out of landfills and allows materials such as metals, plastics, glass, and electronic components to be recovered and reused. Proper recycling also helps businesses manage electronic waste responsibly.
- Electronic waste, commonly called e-waste, includes discarded electrical and electronic equipment such as computers, monitors, laptops, televisions, printers, phones, networking equipment, and other electronic devices.
- Electronics contain materials that should be handled through appropriate recycling and disposal channels. Sending them to a qualified recycler helps recover valuable materials and reduces the risk of improper disposal.
- Recycle Technologies provides recycling services in Minnesota and Wisconsin, including business pickup and drop-off options. For customers outside our local service areas, our Mail-In Recycling Program provides another way to send eligible materials for recycling.
- Yes. Recycle Technologies works with businesses, organizations, facilities, schools, and other customers that need ongoing or one-time recycling and secure destruction services.
- Yes. Residential customers can use available drop-off services or the Mail-In Recycling Program for eligible materials. Accepted items and service options can vary, so check the specific service before bringing or shipping materials.
- Yes. Business pickup services are available in the areas we serve. Pickup arrangements depend on the materials, quantity, location, and service required.
- Yes. Recycle Technologies has drop-off options at designated locations. Check the current locations and accepted materials before visiting.
- Recycle Technologies provides certificates of recycling for applicable services. Documentation can help businesses maintain records of responsible recycling and material handling.
ELECTRONICS RECYCLING
Electronics Recycling
What happens to equipment once it reaches us.
- Electronics recycling is the process of collecting, sorting, dismantling, and recovering materials from unwanted electronic equipment. Recycle Technologies processes electronics so materials such as metals, plastics, circuit boards, wire, and glass can be properly managed and recovered.
- Accepted electronics can include computers, laptops, monitors, printers, networking equipment, phones, televisions, and other electronic equipment. Accepted materials can vary, so contact Recycle Technologies if you are unsure about a specific item.
- Yes. Old computers can be processed through electronics recycling services. Businesses with larger quantities can also arrange recycling pickup where available.
- Yes. Laptops are accepted through electronics recycling services, subject to the applicable service and material requirements.
- Yes. Computer monitors can be recycled through Recycle Technologies' electronics recycling services.
- Many types of electronic office equipment can be recycled. If you have a large quantity or equipment that is not clearly listed, contact Recycle Technologies before scheduling service.
- Yes. Networking and telecommunications equipment can be included in electronics recycling programs, depending on the specific equipment and applicable service requirements.
- Electronics are processed so their components and materials can be separated and managed through appropriate recycling channels. Recycle Technologies focuses on responsible material recovery rather than simply sending electronics to a landfill.
- Proper electronics recycling allows materials to be recovered and reduces the amount of electronic waste entering the waste stream. It also provides a responsible way to handle equipment that is no longer wanted or needed.
- Yes. Recycle Technologies provides commercial electronics recycling services for businesses and organizations, including pickup and other service options depending on location and volume.
COMPUTER & IT EQUIPMENT RECYCLING
Computer & IT Equipment Recycling
Retiring computers, servers and office electronics.
- Old computers can be recycled through Recycle Technologies' electronics recycling services. Businesses can arrange pickup where available, while eligible customers may also use drop-off or mail-in options.
- Recycle Technologies accepts many types of computer and electronic equipment for responsible recycling. Contact us with your equipment list if you have a large quantity or unusual equipment.
- IT equipment can be handled through electronics recycling services. For businesses retiring larger quantities of equipment, Recycle Technologies can help determine the appropriate recycling and destruction service.
- Old office electronics should be kept out of the regular trash and sent through an appropriate electronics recycling program. Recycle Technologies provides commercial recycling solutions for businesses and organizations.
- Yes. Recycle Technologies works with businesses and facilities that need to recycle electronics and other materials. Pickup, drop-off, and other options depend on the location and quantity.
HARD DRIVE & DATA DESTRUCTION
Hard Drive & Data Destruction
Why deleting is not destroying, and what we do instead.
- Simply deleting files or formatting a hard drive does not provide the same level of security as physical destruction. Recycle Technologies provides hard drive destruction services for customers who need secure destruction of storage devices.
- No. Deleting files or formatting a drive does not necessarily prevent data recovery. When sensitive information must be securely destroyed, physical destruction is an option.
- Hard drive destruction is the physical destruction of a hard drive or storage device so that the data stored on it cannot be accessed through normal recovery methods.
- Yes. Recycle Technologies provides hard drive destruction services for businesses and other customers that need secure destruction of storage devices.
- Recycle Technologies provides hard drive destruction services in its service areas, including Minnesota and Wisconsin. Contact us to determine the available pickup, drop-off, or destruction option for your location.
- Yes. Businesses can use hard drive destruction services when retiring computers, servers, storage devices, and other equipment containing sensitive information.
- Yes. After secure destruction, the resulting materials can be processed through appropriate recycling channels.
- Documentation is available for applicable destruction services. Contact Recycle Technologies to confirm the documentation provided for your specific service.
LIGHT BULB & LAMP RECYCLING
Light Bulb & Lamp Recycling
Fluorescent tubes, CFLs, LEDs and everything in between.
- Recycle Technologies provides fluorescent lamp and light bulb recycling services. Available options include designated drop-off and commercial recycling services depending on location.
- Yes. Fluorescent tubes can be recycled through Recycle Technologies' lamp recycling program.
- Yes. Compact fluorescent lamps, commonly called CFL bulbs, are among the lamp types handled through the recycling program.
- Recycle Technologies accepts various bulb types, including LED and other lamps, subject to the applicable service requirements.
- Incandescent bulbs can be accepted through applicable light bulb recycling services.
- Recycle Technologies handles a range of lamp and bulb types, including fluorescent tubes, CFLs, UV lamps, neon lamps, argon lamps, halogen lamps, incandescent bulbs, and other accepted lamps.
- Fluorescent lamps require appropriate handling because they contain mercury. Recycling provides a controlled way to recover and manage the materials rather than sending the lamps to a landfill.
- Fluorescent lamps are processed so their components can be separated and recovered. Materials such as glass and aluminum can be directed toward further use, while mercury-containing materials are handled through appropriate processing.
- Yes. Recycle Technologies works with businesses and facilities that have larger quantities of lamps and bulbs and can provide commercial recycling solutions.
- Pickup options are available for qualifying commercial customers in the service areas. Contact Recycle Technologies to arrange service based on your location and quantity.
BATTERY RECYCLING
Battery Recycling
Alkaline, lithium-ion, lead-acid and EV batteries.
- Recycle Technologies handles various battery types, including alkaline, button cell, lead-acid, lithium and lithium-ion, nickel-cadmium, mercury oxide, EV batteries, and other accepted batteries.
- Yes. Lithium and lithium-ion batteries are among the battery types handled through Recycle Technologies' battery recycling services.
- Many rechargeable battery types can be recycled, including lithium-ion and nickel-cadmium batteries. Contact Recycle Technologies if you are unsure about a specific battery.
- Recycle Technologies lists EV batteries among the battery types accepted through its battery recycling services. For large or specialized EV battery quantities, contact the company before arranging service.
- Lead-acid and other automotive batteries can be handled through applicable battery recycling services.
- Yes. Recycle Technologies provides battery recycling services for businesses and organizations that need to manage used batteries responsibly.
- Proper battery recycling helps recover useful materials and provides a safer, more responsible alternative to disposing of batteries with ordinary waste.
- Lithium batteries should be handled through an appropriate battery recycling program rather than placed in regular trash. Contact Recycle Technologies for information about accepted lithium and lithium-ion batteries and available service options.
TELEVISION RECYCLING
Television Recycling
Old sets, one or many.
- Yes. Recycle Technologies provides television recycling services for eligible televisions and related equipment.
- Recycle Technologies provides TV recycling services in its service areas. Check the current location and service information before bringing a television for recycling.
- Yes. Businesses, facilities, schools, and other organizations can use television recycling services for eligible equipment.
- Televisions are processed so their different materials and components can be separated and directed through appropriate recycling channels.
- Yes. Businesses and organizations with multiple televisions can arrange an appropriate recycling service. Pickup options may be available depending on location and quantity.
BALLAST RECYCLING
Ballast Recycling
Lighting ballasts removed during a retrofit.
- Ballast recycling is the proper handling and recycling of lighting ballasts removed from fluorescent and other lighting systems.
- Yes. Recycle Technologies provides ballast recycling services for eligible lighting ballasts.
- Some older lighting ballasts can contain materials that require appropriate handling. Recycling them through a qualified service helps businesses manage these materials responsibly.
- Yes. Commercial customers can arrange ballast recycling services based on their location and quantity.
- Ballasts and lamps are separate materials and may require different processing. Recycle Technologies provides dedicated recycling services for both.
PAPER SHREDDING
Paper Shredding
Confidential documents, destroyed and documented.
- Yes. Recycle Technologies provides secure paper shredding services for businesses and organizations that need confidential documents destroyed.
- Secure paper shredding involves destroying paper documents so the information they contain cannot be read or reconstructed in their original form.
- Businesses commonly shred documents containing confidential, financial, personal, customer, employee, or business information. If a document no longer needs to be retained and contains sensitive information, secure shredding can be an appropriate disposal method.
- Yes. Recycle Technologies provides paper shredding services for businesses and organizations.
- Pickup options are available in applicable service areas. Contact Recycle Technologies to discuss your location, volume, and shredding requirements.
- Recycle Technologies provides shredding services in Minnesota and Wisconsin. Availability depends on your location and the type of service required.
PHONE & MOBILE DEVICE SHREDDING
Phone & Mobile Device Shredding
Handsets that must never come back on.
- Yes. Cell phones and other handheld electronic devices can be handled through applicable electronics recycling services.
- Phone shredding is the physical destruction of mobile phones and other eligible devices to prevent the information stored on them from being accessed.
- Organizations may need physical destruction when mobile devices contain sensitive business, customer, employee, or other confidential information and must be permanently taken out of service.
- Yes. Recycle Technologies provides phone destruction services for customers that require secure destruction of eligible mobile devices.
- Yes. Phone shredding can be used by businesses and organizations retiring large quantities of mobile devices.
- The resulting materials can be processed through appropriate recycling channels after the devices have been securely destroyed.
OFF-SITE SHREDDING
Off-Site Shredding
Collected, transported, and destroyed at our facility.
- Off-site shredding means confidential materials are collected and transported to a secure processing facility for destruction rather than being shredded at the customer's location.
- Yes. Recycle Technologies provides off-site shredding services for customers that need secure document or material destruction.
- Yes. Off-site shredding can be used by businesses and organizations that need to regularly dispose of confidential documents or other eligible materials.
- Paper documents and other eligible materials can be processed through applicable shredding services. Contact Recycle Technologies if you have a specific material you need destroyed.
- Contact Recycle Technologies with your location, material type, approximate quantity, and preferred service requirements. The team can determine the appropriate service and scheduling options.
MAIL-IN RECYCLING
Mail-In Recycling
For everyone outside the pickup and drop-off areas.
- The Mail-In Recycling Program allows customers outside the local pickup and drop-off areas to send eligible recyclable materials to Recycle Technologies using recycling kits.
- Yes. Eligible electronics can be sent through the Mail-In Recycling Program using the appropriate recycling kit.
- The Mail-In Recycling Program provides access to eligible recycling services for customers across the United States, including customers outside Recycle Technologies' local pickup and drop-off areas.
- Customers order the appropriate recycling kit, prepare their eligible materials according to the instructions, and send the package through the designated shipping process for recycling.
- Accepted materials depend on the specific recycling kit. Check the kit information before ordering to make sure your material is eligible.
- Recycle Technologies offers recycling kits through its Mail-In Recycling Program. Select the appropriate kit based on the material you need to recycle.
- Yes. The Mail-In Recycling Program is designed to provide access to recycling for customers who are outside the company's local pickup and drop-off service areas.
RECYCLING PICKUP & DROP-OFF
Recycling Pickup & Drop-Off
Coming to you, or you coming to us.
- Yes. Business pickup services are available in applicable service areas. Pickup arrangements depend on location, material type, quantity, and service requirements.
- Yes. Businesses can contact Recycle Technologies to discuss one-time recycling pickups as well as ongoing recycling requirements.
- Recurring service may be available for businesses with ongoing recycling needs. Contact Recycle Technologies to discuss your materials, volume, and location.
- Recycle Technologies operates facilities in Minnesota and Wisconsin. Current facility information and accepted materials are available on the Locations page.
- Drop-off requirements can vary by facility and material. Check the current location information or contact Recycle Technologies before visiting.
- Yes. Local pickup and drop-off services are concentrated in the company's service areas, while the Mail-In Recycling Program extends access to eligible customers across the United States.
BUSINESS & COMMERCIAL RECYCLING
Business & Commercial Recycling
Programs for offices, facilities and schools.
- Yes. Recycle Technologies provides commercial recycling and secure destruction services for businesses, facilities, schools, organizations, and other customers.
- Yes. Recycle Technologies works with commercial customers managing larger quantities of electronics, lighting, batteries, documents, and other accepted materials.
- Start by identifying the materials, approximate quantities, service frequency, and location. Contact Recycle Technologies to discuss the appropriate pickup, drop-off, recycling, or destruction program.
- Yes. Businesses can use multiple recycling and destruction services through Recycle Technologies, including electronics, batteries, light bulbs, ballasts, hard drives, phones, paper, and other accepted materials.
- Applicable recycling and destruction services can include documentation such as certificates of recycling. Contact Recycle Technologies to confirm what documentation is provided for your specific service.
- A professional recycling company provides a structured way to collect, process, and document the handling of materials that should not simply be placed in ordinary waste streams.
COMPLIANCE, CERTIFICATIONS & RESPONSIBLE RECYCLING
Compliance, Certifications & Responsible Recycling
R2v3, certificates, and what the standards cover.
- Recycle Technologies operates R2v3-certified facilities in Minnesota for applicable electronics recycling activities. Certification scope varies by facility and service, so customers should review the applicable facility certification information for their specific requirements.
- R2v3 is a responsible recycling standard for electronics recyclers. It addresses areas such as environmental, health and safety, data security, and responsible management of used electronics.
- Certifications provide an independently recognized framework for responsible recycling and material management. Businesses can use certification information when evaluating recycling vendors and documenting their recycling programs.
- Yes. Certificates of recycling are available for applicable services and provide customers with documentation of their recycling activity.
- Recycle Technologies operates licensed recycling facilities and provides documented recycling and destruction services. Its facilities and service certifications vary by location and scope.
- Electronic equipment is collected and processed for material recovery and responsible recycling. Recycle Technologies states that its electronics recycling program follows a no-landfill approach for electronics disposal.
SERVICE AREAS & LOCATIONS
Service Areas & Locations
Minnesota, Wisconsin, and the rest of the country.
- Recycle Technologies provides local recycling and shredding services in Minnesota and Wisconsin, with additional access through its Mail-In Recycling Program.
- Yes. Recycle Technologies provides electronics recycling services throughout its Minnesota service area, including business pickup and drop-off options.
- Yes. Recycle Technologies provides recycling services in Wisconsin, including electronics and other applicable materials.
- Yes. Recycle Technologies provides recycling services in Minneapolis and surrounding Minnesota communities.
- Yes. Recycle Technologies provides recycling services in the Milwaukee area and throughout its Wisconsin service network.
- Use the Locations and service-area pages to find the appropriate Recycle Technologies service for your area. If local service is not available, the Mail-In Recycling Program may provide an alternative for eligible materials.