Frequently Asked Questions
If you can’t find answers to your question here, please feel free to contact us.
- What is “electronic waste”?
- Are electronics “hazardous waste”?
- Why are discarded electronics potentially harmful?
- Why is lead used in electronics?
- Why is mercury used in electronics?
- What is required to recycle my electronic devices?
- What types of electronics do you accept?
- What will it cost me to dispose of my e-waste?
- Why can’t I just throw it away?
- Where and when can I drop off my e-waste?
- Can GSS guarantee that these electronics won’t end up in a landfill?
- Does Global Surplus Solutions have all required permits?
What is “electronic waste”?
“Electronic waste” ( “e-waste”) refers to broken or obsolete electronic devices (”electronics”) such as computers, TVs, audio equipment, and phones. New technology quickly renders most electronics obsolete—especially computers—and consumers are much more likely to replace than repair them.
“Electronic waste” ( “e-waste”) refers to broken or obsolete electronic devices (”electronics”) such as computers, TVs, audio equipment, and phones. New technology quickly renders most electronics obsolete—especially computers—and consumers are much more likely to replace than repair them.
Are electronics “hazardous waste”?
Although all household waste is exempt from Federal regulations governing hazardous waste per 40CFR261.4(b)(1), California’s stricter regulations ban household hazardous waste—and specifically electronics—from landfills in order to protect human health and our environment.
Although all household waste is exempt from Federal regulations governing hazardous waste per 40CFR261.4(b)(1), California’s stricter regulations ban household hazardous waste—and specifically electronics—from landfills in order to protect human health and our environment.
Why are discarded electronics potentially harmful?
Electronic equipment contains heavy metals and other materials that, if improperly managed, can become hazardous to human health and our environment.
Electronic equipment contains heavy metals and other materials that, if improperly managed, can become hazardous to human health and our environment.
- Cadmium: The largest source of cadmium in municipal waste is rechargeable nickel-cadmium (NiCad) batteries, commonly used laptop computers.
- Lead: Televisions and computer monitors contain cathode ray tubes (CRTs), which contain leaded glass and are the largest source of lead in municipal waste.
- Mercury: Electronic waste is a leading source of mercury in municipal waste.
Additionally, electronics contain precious metals, engineered plastics, glass, and other manufactured materials. When electronics are discarded, these valuable component resources are lost and must be replaced—by new products made from virgin materials via processes that generate even MORE pollution.
Why is lead used in electronics?
Lead is uniquely capable of meeting the stringent performance standards required by current technology. Tin-lead solder is primarily used to connect electronic components because of its flexibility and durability under normal and extreme conditions of use. CRTs contain leaded glass to protect users from exposure to harmful radiation that’s normally generated by the picture tube.
Lead is uniquely capable of meeting the stringent performance standards required by current technology. Tin-lead solder is primarily used to connect electronic components because of its flexibility and durability under normal and extreme conditions of use. CRTs contain leaded glass to protect users from exposure to harmful radiation that’s normally generated by the picture tube.
Why is mercury used in electronics?
Laptop computers, digital cameras, and flat-panel TVs include small mercury-containing lamps that provide energy-efficient illumination, for which there currently is no cost-effective alternative.
Laptop computers, digital cameras, and flat-panel TVs include small mercury-containing lamps that provide energy-efficient illumination, for which there currently is no cost-effective alternative.
What is required to recycle my electronic devices?
The State of California requires that we obtain your name, address, phone number, and an accurate list of the electronics being collected or received.
The State of California requires that we obtain your name, address, phone number, and an accurate list of the electronics being collected or received.
What types of electronics do you accept?
See the Materials Accepted page for the complete list, or call us for further information at 1.888.693.2925.
See the Materials Accepted page for the complete list, or call us for further information at 1.888.693.2925.
What will it cost me to dispose of my e-waste?
We dispose of electronic waste for FREE however a modest fee applies to pick-ups! Although we’re a privately owned company, we can offer free disposal because we work with the State of California in recycling all e-waste products.
We dispose of electronic waste for FREE however a modest fee applies to pick-ups! Although we’re a privately owned company, we can offer free disposal because we work with the State of California in recycling all e-waste products.
Small pick-up fee applies if Global Surplus Solutions picks up your items. Drop-off and disposal are free of charge. See Pick-Ups & Drop-Offs page for details.
Why can’t I just throw it away?
Electronic devices contain hazardous and toxic substances that pose serious risks to our environment and our health. For example, heavy metals can leach into landfill soil and then into our underground water supply, causing severe and even life-threatening illnesses.
Electronic devices contain hazardous and toxic substances that pose serious risks to our environment and our health. For example, heavy metals can leach into landfill soil and then into our underground water supply, causing severe and even life-threatening illnesses.
Where and when can I drop off my e-waste?
Our facility is conveniently located at:
Our facility is conveniently located at:
Global Surplus Solutions
704 S Allen Street
San Bernardino, CA 92408
Office Hours: Monday-Friday, 8am to 5pm
Warehouse Hours: Monday-Friday, 9am to 4pm
Lunch (closed): Monday-Friday, noon to 1pm
Please call us with any questions at 1.888.693.2925.
Can GSS guarantee that these electronics won’t end up in a landfill?
We provide each client with a Certificate of Recycling (COR), which certifies that the materials we received were handled in strict compliance with State and Federal regulations. These CORs release our clients from all liability and put the burden of safe recycling on us. This documented information is important for your tax records and for contesting any claims.
We provide each client with a Certificate of Recycling (COR), which certifies that the materials we received were handled in strict compliance with State and Federal regulations. These CORs release our clients from all liability and put the burden of safe recycling on us. This documented information is important for your tax records and for contesting any claims.
