Frequently Asked Questions

What if my FedEx carrier can not take my Technotrash Can?

Technotrash Recycling Services

What exactly is technotrash? 
Technotrash is a relatively new waste stream which includes all the spent supplies and obsolete accessories associated with your computer. This waste includes all those computer-related materials which you no longer need and have stuffed away in drawers, closets, and boxes in your office, storage room, attic, or in your garage. Old computers and printers, CD’s, hard drives, Zip disks, floppy disks, obsolete cell phones, rechargeable batteries, empty printer cartridges, and all the cables, cords, chips or boards that came with this once important equipment – this is all technotrash.  We all have this stuff, but most of us just don’t know how to properly dispose of it.

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Why should I recycle my technotrash?
There are two very important reasons to recycle your technotrash. First is the environmental factor.  Recycling keeps your electronic waste, some of which contains hazardous material, out of landfills (or your garage). As we move farther into the information age, the volume of obsolete computer equipment and supplies is becoming a serious problem that needs to be dealt with responsibly. Today, over 80% of technotrash is not being recycled. Some is thrown away, but most remains unused sitting on desks or taking up storage space.

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What happens to the technotrash?
We use a network of non-profit organizations to process the material.  We refurbish what we can and recycle the rest.  Inkjet cartridges get remanufactured and, when possible, cell phones and some computers get refurbished. Material that has no further operating life is broken down to its smallest components (metals, plastics, etc.) and used in the manufacturing of new products. Unlike some recycling companies, almost 100% of the material that GreenDisk collects is reused or recycled.  No hazardous materials or obsolete components go overseas to be processed or disposed of.  For greater detail on the GreenDisk process and a description of where your technotrash goes, download our white paper.

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What services does GreenDisk offer?

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What are your standard services?

We offer two service plan options for recycling your mixed batches of technotrash: the Full-Service Technotrash Collection Box and the Technotrash Pack-IT service.

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What is the Enterprise Recycling Compliance Report?

For organizations that recycle a significant amount of technotrash and wish to track the amount for a variety of internal compliance and marketing reasons, GreenDisk offers the Enterprise Recycling Compliance Report. Many organizations have multiple sites and need to track how active each site is during that calendar or fiscal year. Some have internal compliance or reporting requirements. This report provides a good 3rd party verification of a group's recycling commitment. In the compliance report, GreenDisk details an organization’s technotrash returns by location by number of boxes and by weight. The charge for each report is $250. However, it is provided free of charge annually for any organization that has purchased a total of $1000 or more of technotrash services during the prior two calendar years.

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What material can I send to GreenDisk?

We accept the following in either the Technotrash Can or the Pack-IT service:

• All forms of electronic media and their cases: diskettes, zip disks, CDs, CD-Rs, CD-RWs, DVDs et al, video tape, audio tape, game cartridges, DAT, DLT and virtually all other type of computer tapes.
• Hard drives, Zip and Jaz drives, jump drives, etc.
• All forms of printer cartridges including both inkjet and toner.
• All types of cell phones, pagers, PDAs and their chargers, cables, and headset accessories
• All types of rechargeable batteries (not regular alkaline ones) and their chargers
• All of the small computer accessories such as MP3 players, iPods, digital cameras, hand-held scanners, handheld games and other connected devices
• All of the cords, cables, boards, chips, etc. attached to or removed from a computer.
• Laptop computers

We accept the following in our computer and component recycling program:

Computer System Option: Includes the processing and shipping of a full computer system - CPU, monitor, keyboard, mouse, and associated cables.  This program is a two box service. Pack the monitor in one box and the CPU, keyboard, mouse, etc. in the other. Note that the monitor must be 17 inches or less.

Single Component Option: Includes the processing and shipping of a SINGLE monitor (must be 17 inches or less), CPU (with associated keyboard, cables, and mice), laptop, or peripheral.  Peripheral devices include printers, fax machines, and scanners.

A special laptop program makes it easy for you to recycle your old laptop with certified assurance that the private or proprietary data will be systematically destroyed.  We make sure that your computer is recycled and that your data is not.

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How do I choose between a Full-Service Collection Box and the Pack-IT service?

The Technotrash Pack-IT service is self-service.  You supply the box and are responsible for shipping.  You just pay for the processing.  If you have less than 25 pounds of technotrash, have your own box, and you don't mind dealing with the shipping yourself, the Pack-IT service is likely to be the best choice for you. 

The full-service box includes the box, return transportation once the box is full, secure destruction of the content on any media, recycling of the media and associated material, and a Certificate of Destruction.  The Technotrash Can, the most common full-service option, allows a superset of the technotrash the Pack-IT allows.  There are two sizes:  the Standard and the Tall. The Full-Service Collection Box is perfect as an ongoing collection box which encourages recycling as an everyday activity. You can keep the box for up to three years before sending it back.    

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What if I purchased a Pack-IT Service a while ago?

You can still send in the amount of material that you originally paid for. So, if you paid for 30 lbs. of recycling initially even if the cost was less than what GreenDisk charges today, that's still the amount of material you can send in. If you now have 25 pounds, you can just pay for the additional 5 lbs. 

However, if you purchased a Pack-IT Service prior to January 1,2020, the label and address may no longer valid. Email (support@greendisk.com) or call with your order number and token number so we can investigate and send you a replacement label, if necessary. If you send a box to the old address, it will be returned to you.    

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How do I estimate the weight for any of the services?

We suggest using any scale, such as a bathroom scale, to estimate the weight of your technotrash.  For the Pack-IT Service, an estimate is sufficient.  You will get the exact weight when you ship your box.  If you are over 30 lbs. and underestimated the weight in your order, simply order Additional Pounds listed on the Service page. For the full-service boxes, the weight reported does not need to be exact but it is very important not to exceed the weight allowance for the box purchased.

Rule of thumb guidelines:

• VHS Tapes with paper/cardboard sleeve weigh approximately 1/2 pound.  With plastic cases, it's closer to 3/4 pound.
• The Tall holds approximately 100 to 110 VHS Tapes.  The Standard holds approximately 60 VHS Tapes.
• CDs/DVDs. There are 29-30 to the pound, not including cases.
• CDs in jewel cases. There are approximately 5 to the pound (3.1 oz. each)
• DVDs in plastic DVD case.  There are approximately 4.5 to the pound (3.5 oz.each)
• Audio Cassettes in plastic cases:  There are approximately 5 to the pound.

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What if the full-service box exceeds the weight allowance? 

GreenDisk is charged by FedEx based on the weight of the box.  GreenDisk will invoice you for the additional freight charges plus an administration fee.  GreenDisk is also charged a substantial surcharge for any packages that weigh over 50 lbs, and it must pass this surcharge onto its customers.   

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How do I pay for the service?

The preferred way is to first set up an on-line account and pay by credit card.  GreenDisk accepts Visa, MasterCard and American Express.  For larger or ongoing orders, we gladly accept purchase orders and checks if you use the form found on the bottom of the ordering page.

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Is there a minimum order size for a purchase order?

There is no minimum order size for regular on-line orders. If you require a purchase order, however, due to setup costs the minimum order size is $40.  Smaller amounts may be accepted upon approval by GreenDisk Purchasing.

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Who should use GreenDisk recycling services?

Everyone who uses a computer or any of the related technology. We service large organizations in their entirety, departments within organizations, municipalities, small offices/home offices, and individuals.

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There are other eWaste recyclers. Why should I use GreenDisk?

GreenDisk is unique because we collect a wide range of technotrash in relatively small amounts.  Most ewaste recyclers tend to take only large amounts of a single sorted item.  In addition, we are the only company to offer all of these key features:

• Convenient technotrash pickup.  Recycle when you want without leaving your home or office.
• Accountability.  You receive an audit report that confirms compliance with either environmental policies or privacy requirements when using either the Technotrash Can or Computer & Component Services.
• Security.  We securely destroy all information on your electronic media as a standard part of all of our services.
• Environment.  According to the EPA ,the plastic in your technotrash can last for up to 450 years in our nation’s landfills.  At GreenDisk we focus on the reuse of items whenever possible and then recycle what we cannot refurbish.

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Why should I use GreenDisk to recycle my computer, laptop, or peripheral?

You should not use GreenDisk if there is a local drop-off that legitimately recycles your equipment. We believe this service should be offered in your local area to conserve energy and be more cost effective.  Unfortunately, businesses in some local areas have not stepped forward.  So, we started this service at the request of those who had no local vehicle to recycle their equipment. When you recycle any hard drives locally (or anywhere for that matter), make sure you destroy the content first or that the party you give it to securely destroys them.

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What geographic areas does GreenDisk serve?

The GreenDisk services are available only in the 48 contiguous states. At this time our services are available only on a limited basis in Alaska, Hawaii, Canada, Mexico or other areas outside North America. Please call us if you would like more information.

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My Technotrash Can is full – how do I send it back to you?

Simply go to the Pickup Page on www.greendisk.com.  Enter the token # and the required fields from your order receipt (this number will also be on your box). Within minutes your mailing label with prepaid postage will be delivered to you via email. Just print out the label and affix it to the back of your box. Follow the instructions on the email you received with your shipping label to contact FedEx for pickup. You actually have three options with FedEx returns:  (1) you can contact FedEx to have them pick up the box, (2) if you have regular pickup from FedEx Ground, you can just give them the box, or (3) you can drop your box off at any FedEx office or location that does FedEx shipping.  Just be sure you've attached your pre-paid FedEx labels to the box in all situations.  Once your materials are fully processed you will receive a certificate of destruction via email.

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What if FedEx can not take my box?

We have not had problems with FedEx taking Technotrash Cans.  If this should occur, find out the reason why FedEx will not pick up your Can, and call GreenDisk Customer Service at 1-800-305-3475.

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Can I drop off materials to be recycled rather than shipping them?

No. At this time GreenDisk does not have any drop off locations so all transactions must be done through www.greendisk.com. 

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For immediate assistance call GreenDisk

800.305.DISK 425.392.8700

[Contact Us]

Additional Information
[TTC Quick Summary]
[Pack-IT Quick Summary]
[What we take]
[Order Form]

Set up Technotrash Can
[Initial set up of TTC]

Prepare TTC for Return
[Prepare TTC for Return]

Reference Documents

White Papers
[What happens to my Technotrash?]

Data Sheets
[TTC - Corporate]
[TTC - Individual]