There have been many questions over the past few months regarding what we can do with computer equipment that is set to be recycled (campus owned).   There were questions about donating it to organizations in need as well as questions about selling it to individuals.
 
With input from Facilities Management, Purchasing and Risk Management and research on what other campuses do through the UW CIOs, the best method for us to use is to use our current recycling\re-furbishing service we already pay for through Universal Recycling Technologies (URT) out of Janesville, WI.  People or organizations wanting to purchase or have equipment donated, should call URT (toll free) at 877-278-0799.  They can work with URT to get equipment that comes from our campus that we send to them for recycling or re-furbishing.  We will not sell or donate equipment directly to any individuals or organizations either within or outside of our organization.
 
We get a certificate of recycling stating the number of lbs. of equipment we send there which goes to reduce our campus’ carbon footprint which we track carefully and are trying to reduce.  The company we use also double checks to make sure all traces of data are wiped (we do as well before sending to them) as a second round of precaution.  We don’t pay the recycling company for any of the computers (towers, laptops etc) for recycling because they use any good parts and re-purpose them into functioning machines to re-sell, etc.