How to Start an Electronic Recycling Business
Starting an electronic recycling business can be profitable and help the environment as well. Computers, monitors, radios and other electronics usually end up in landfill sites, but if the items are recycled, the parts can be sold and used for other purposes. Some electronics are not allowed in the regular curbside garbage collection, which means that people must pay to get rid of them or keep them in their home where they take up space. A recycling business can end the worries of environmentalists and consumers who need help disposing of their electronics.
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Instructions
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Check with your local Department of Sanitation to see what items they accept for garbage collection. Although you will be running a recycling business, there will be some things you will need to discard of in the trash or you will need to find a vendor that accepts leftover parts.
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Look for a vendor that will take any leftover parts if your local trash collection will not accept them. For instance, if you accept monitors, these cannot go in the local trash collection. Best Buy will take up to two monitors a day, but some stores will charge you $10 for each monitor they take. However, they give you a $10 gift card for each monitor you pay them $10 to recycle. Some vendors will require that you send the items to them. Naturally, you would need to cover postage and boxing up the items.
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Determine how you will collect the electronics. First, you need to let the public know that you are recycling electronics. Advertise at local retail stores, in newspapers and in the phone book under "Recycling." Give out business cards or place recycling bins at busy areas in town. This could be grocery stores or even the public library. You will need permission from the property owners, but most will participate because they want to do their part for the environment.
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Buy the necessary tools to fix or disassemble the electronic items. You will need screwdrivers, wrenches, micro screwdrivers, Phillips screwdrivers, metric and standard socket sets and a hammer. You will need small jars or plastic-covered bowls for screws and other small parts.
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Apply for a federal identification number (EIN) and a state identification number or you can simply use your Social Security number when you are just starting out. When the business gets bigger or if you hire any employees, you will need to acquire an EIN, state tax number and register for employers' unemployment insurance. You will also need Workmen’s Compensation insurance when you have an employee. Note: Some counties require that you have a salvage license. You must check with the county to see if you need a special license.
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