8 Jun
2002
8 Jun
'02
9:51 a.m.
At 02:03 PM 6/8/02 -0400, you wrote:
I wonder what the permitting hassles, etc, would be.
If you actually
listed yourself as a disposal center, you might have to get hazardous waste
permits.
I suspect that you're right. You'd prpobably want to try and locate in an area
that wasn't too picky about permits. In addition, you'd probably be carefull about
what you did so that you didn't generate hazardous waste and have to start dealing
with the EPA. I think that would quickly kill any but the largest business.
I also wonder about the economic viability of such an enterprise. People
might pay to dispose of old computers if they think they'll be recycled.
However, many consumers think because they paid $2500 for a system two years
ago that it's still worth $1000.
I know what you mean. But if you deal with busnesses they usually just want the stuff
gone. Personally I wouldn't deal with individuals, I MIGHT let them drop stuff at no
charge but I wouldn't buy systems (unless it's something special). Besides the
unrealistic prices, it would just be too time comsuming. BUT I expect that we'll soon
have to PAY to dispose of monitors and electronics just like we have to pay to dispose of
auto batteries and tires and that that would encourage a lot of people to just give away
the systems.
And if a dumpster behind the Circle-K is
more convient, well, it may well wind up there.
True but most states have laws and severe fines if you get caught dumping in someone
elses dumpster.
Once you have scrap (and have picked it clean, requiring a secondary
warehouse and museum space), can you economically separate the chaff from
the wheat?
Yes but it's labor intensive.
Austin Electronics has about 200 13" VGA displays in the back.
They can't toss them, and no one wants to buy them.
Do you accept this kind
of material?
NO! Charge a disposale fee. Just like they do when you buy new tires or a new auto
battery.
If a person can't dispose the whole kit and kaboodle at one
shot, they're much less likely to bother with
recycling.
They will if the local dump is going to charge them and the local trash hauler
won't accept the stuff. That's currently the situation here with paints,
batteries, tires and lots of other stuff. If you're ambitious you'd offer to pick
up old systems and recycle/dispose of them at a reasonable cost. I think many folks would
take advantage of that simply to avoid the hassle.
Do you hire cheap labor and build systems for homeless people?
NO! NO ONE wants those systems! It's ironic but even people with no money want the
absolute lastest and greatest and they won't settle for less. Believe me, I've
seen churces, big companies like Martin Marietta and even NASA try to find uses for
386/486 type systems and none of them have been successful.
Strip
components and eBay them?
Yes, if they contain anything worthwhile. But if you can't get X amount ($20?) then
it's not worth the time and hassle.
Try to do metal separation?
That's what most of them do but it's labor intensive so they hire a bunch of
low end workers to do the work.
I'm not putting down the idea by any means (and I'd love to have such a
place to browse), but can one reallistically make some above a
subsistence-level enterprise out of it?
Yes, I know people that do. The owner makes a good living (in fact, most of them make a
VERY good living) but the workers are minimum wage types and live accordingly. But you
shouldn't feel guilty about that, they'd be in the same or worse condition without
your employment.
Are there are cases that are
successful?
Yes, I know of a number of them.
What's the operational cost of such a facility?
That's a good question. You need a facility with a good amount of space (not
necessarily inside) and a couple of good trucks (the bigger the better) and a good
forklift is very desirable. Then add dumpsters some wire baskets, some workbenches, etc
for separating, storing and handling the stuff. I think that if you could locate in an
area with lax zoning, work conditions, etc it would probable be very benfitial.
Are you
willing to ship systems?
Is the purchaser willing to pay the cost of packing and shipping? On PC systems
probably not.
Do you have systems work shipping?
What?
I'd want to
start a business I can sooner or later oversee, and not
sweat next months
building payment at the end of the month.
Like any other business it would take some initial capital for a building, employees
(if any), and
equipment. And it would take some time to get the business going and profitable.
Joe