Quick answer
Often, yes. Many business e-waste pick ups are free because recyclers recover value from the equipment. At E-Waste Haul Away there’s never a charge for picking up e-waste as long as we cover our costs. Items that cost more to recycle, like TVs and CRT monitors, carry a fee, and hard drive shredding is an additional service.
If your office has a closet full of old desktops, a stack of monitors from the last upgrade, or a retired server rack in the basement, the first question is usually: what will it cost to get rid of it?
For most businesses and schools in the Philadelphia area, the honest answer is very little, and often nothing. Here’s how pricing for business e-waste pick up actually works.
Why business e-waste pick up is often free
Electronics aren’t just trash. Circuit boards, processors, memory, copper wiring, aluminum and steel all have value once they’re separated and processed by a recycler. When a load is made up of items like desktops, laptops, servers, networking gear and flat-screen monitors, the recoverable value can cover the cost of driving out, loading and transporting it.
That’s why our policy is simple: there is never a charge for picking up e-waste as long as we cover our costs.
When there is a cost
Some items cost more to recycle than they’re worth. The most common are:
| Item | Why it costs extra |
|---|---|
| CRT monitors and older TVs | Leaded glass that requires special handling |
| Flat-screen TVs | Bulky, with low recoverable value |
| Hard drive shredding | A separate, secure destruction service |
A very small load, or a pick up far outside our usual service area, may also not cover the cost of the trip. In every case, we tell you up front.
How to keep your pick up free (or close to it)
- Bundle everything into one pick up. One trip for 40 items is far more efficient than four trips for 10.
- Include the valuable stuff. Servers, networking equipment and laptops help offset items like CRT monitors.
- Send us a list first. “15 desktops, 12 flat screens, 2 printers, 1 CRT” is enough for us to confirm the cost.
- Group items in one place. Easy access means a faster pick up. Our office cleanout checklist walks you through it.
- Decide early about hard drives. If any computers held sensitive data, ask about hard drive destruction when you book.
What “free” should still include
A free pick up should never mean cutting corners. Before you hand equipment to anyone, ask:
- Where does it go? We work with four different R2-certified recyclers. (What is R2 certification?)
- What happens to the data? Wiping isn’t always enough. See hard drive destruction vs. data wiping.
- Can I get documentation? On written request, we provide a Letter of Responsibility for Destruction.
The cost of doing nothing
Leaving old electronics in storage isn’t free either. It takes up space you pay for, and every drive sitting in a closet is a potential data breach. In Pennsylvania and New Jersey you also can’t simply put computers, monitors or TVs out with the regular trash. (See the rules.)
Ready to find out what your pick up would cost? Send us your list and we’ll get back to you within 24 hours.
Frequently asked questions
Why would anyone pick up electronics for free?
Computers, servers and networking equipment contain metals and parts that recyclers can recover. That value can cover the cost of collection, so the pick up costs you nothing.
Why do TVs and CRT monitors cost extra?
Older CRT screens contain leaded glass and need special handling, and large TVs are bulky with little recoverable value. The fee covers the cost of recycling them safely.
Is hard drive destruction included?
Hard drive shredding is an additional fee. It’s worth it for any drive that held customer, patient, employee or financial data.
How do I find out if my pick up will be free?
Send us a rough list of what you have and where it is. We’ll confirm any cost within 24 hours, before anything is scheduled.
Sources
- Electronics Donation and Recycling, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
- The Global E-waste Monitor 2024, ITU / UNITAR
Written by The E-Waste Haul Away Team
We pick up unwanted computers and electronics from businesses and schools across Greater Philadelphia and make sure they're recycled responsibly through R2-certified partners, with secure handling for anything that holds data. About us
