Frequently Asked Questions

Why Can I not just throw away my old Computer and Electronics Equipment?

Many types of end-of-life electronics such as monitors, keyboards, central processing units (CPU’s) printers, mice, etc. must be specially managed since their printed circuit boards and cathode ray tubes (CRT’s) contain toxic chemical elements that are harmful to human health and the environment. The amount of lead in CRT monitors (to protect the user from radiation) is usually about five pounds or 25 percent by weight. Circuit boards typically contain cadmium, mercury and chromium. These substances build up over time in the environment and in our bodies and have been shown to impair neurological developmental in children.

How big is the problem of e-waste?

According to a study commissioned by Environment Canada that was released in June 2003, we dump more than 140,000 tones of computer equipment, phones, televisions, stereos and small home appliances into landfills each year. As stated on Environment Canada's website, "that's equivalent to the weight of about 28,000 adult African elephants or enough uncrushed electronic waste to fill up the Toronto Skydome every 15 years."

Are there any laws or regulations that say what can or cannot be done with end-of-life electronics?

While there are international, national, provincial and state legislative activities occurring, ultimately it remains the responsibility of the individual or company to ensure that its equipment has been recycled in an environmentally freindly manner.

Do recyclers undergo certification and Is e-waste regulated?

There is not one general recycling certification. Environment Canada and the EPA do NOT provide certification for recyclers

Yes and No. Federal agencies do not regulate IT disposal facilities per se. However, some provinces and states have introduced e-waste some form of legislation

Why is there a charge for recycling?

To recycle in the most environmentally sound manner, significant investment must be made. For example, hazardous materials must be removed prior to material separation. There is a cost to recycle these elements in an environmentally sound manner with an approved hazardous waste facility.

There is ALWAYS a cost (when performing proper IT disposal services). Beware of any recycler offering a "No Cost" solution. Since some equipment can be cleaned tested and resold to recover the cost RDLong Computers does offer free disposal of some items. However if your requirements include the total destruction of all equipment a fee will apply to all items.

Can RDLong Computers take any type of end-of-life electronics?

The following is a list of accepted products. Monitors, Desktop or Tower Computers, Laptops, Servers, Macintosh Computers with Screen, Printers, Scanners, Docking Stations, Keyboards, Terminals, Mainframes, UPS’s, Fax Machines, Zip Drives and the list is growing, This is not an exhaustive list if you do not see your type of electronics listed please call us. Other equipment not seen here can be evaluated on a case by case basis. Hazardous and radioactive waste is not accepted.

What Does RDLong Computers do with old electronics?

When we receive the equipment it is determine to be obsolete or not. If it is deemed still usable it is cleaned, tested, repaired and put back out into use. If the system is obsolete and of no further use it is properly sorted and forwarded to the appropriate facility for recycling. If your requirements include the total destruction of all equipment this is possible and a Certificate of Destruction can be issued, however there is some additional cost.

What do I do about data on my hard drives?

You do not have to worry about the removal of company data prior to return of an asset to RDLong Computers. We overwrite every working hard drive so that data is virtually impossible to recover. If a hard drive is inoperable, or the overwrite procedure cannot be verified, RDLong Computers physically destroys the hard drive to ensure data is secure. A Certificate of Destruction can be issued, however there is some additional cost.

What happens if equipment has no marketable value?

RDLong Computers provides an environmentally safe disposal for equipment with no market value properly sorting and forwarding material to the appropriate facility for recycling. There is no additional cost to you the cost of recycling equipment is included in the price of our service. A Certificate of Destruction can be issued, however there is some additional cost.

How big does my company have to be to qualify for this service?

RDLong Computers provides services to consumers, businesses and organizations of any size. There is no size constraint. We believe that IT disposal should be an on-going process rather than a periodic event.

Can individual consumers drop off electronics at RDLong Computers facilities?

Currently consumer electronics can be dropped at our location 6969 McKoewn Dr. Ottawa, ON (in the Greely Industrial Park) Drop Off hours Mon - Sat 11:00am - 6:00pm, Wed and Thurs 11:00am - 8:00pm, Sorry we are closed on Sun.

Or at Heartwood House: au coeur de la vie, 153 Chapel Street. Ottawa, ON. Drop-Off Hours: Monday-Tuesday: 8am - 7pm Wednesday-Thursday: 8am - 7:30pm Friday: 8am - 5pm. Contact Maureen Moloughney at 613-241-5937.

How do I get my equipment to a RDLong Computers facility?

(No handling charges are applied to items delivered to our location).  For convenience we do offer a removal service.  This service is not included in the above fee structure.  For commercial clients a removal service fee of $ 1.00 per item* minimum $ 50.00 will apply. 

All you need to do is tell us what you have, where it is located, and when to be there. All we ask that you have the equipment de-installed and in a central location..

Can I ship my assets to RDLong Computers?

Yes. Please contact us prior to shipment. However, RDLong Computers can transport the equipment for you for a small fee within the City of Ottawa.

How can I get started?

Simply request information online at www.rdlongcomputers.ca, or call us at (613) 282-6319 to receive a quote and all the details you need to proceed.