Frequently Asked Questions

What does Cascade accept?
Cascade accepts just about any office equipment with a battery or a plug, though our specialty is in handling desktop computing equipment.
Back to the top

What doesn’t Cascade accept?
We do not accept certain lab equipment with hazardous chemicals (e.g., mercury thermometers, radioactive materials). If you have some unique items that you are unsure about, please contact Cascade with a list of those items including make and model prior to scheduling a pickup. We will be happy to research the equipment and determine if it is something we are able to process at our facility or direct you to another vendor
Back to the top

What are your prices?
Cascade charges a processing fee to cover the handling, evaluation, data destruction, reporting and refurbishing or demanufacturing activities associated with the disposition of IT assets. We assess a per piece charge on sorted equipment and a per pound charge on unsorted miscellaneous electronics. If we can resell any item for reuse, we share a portion of that with our customers through our rebate program.
Back to the top

There is a wide range of charges in the marketplace for IT asset disposal with some companies actually paying to pick up disposed equipment and others charging $45 per asset in processing fees. For the most part you get what you pay for.

Understanding this, Cascade is extremely competitive on price when compared to similar options in the industry. We provide more services than most other processors. Compare our total price and rebate benefit to the menu of charges from our competitors that offers the same level of environmental protection. There are also “recyclers” in the business who may charge less, but they will typically broker electronic scrap directly to overseas markets without any processing. Cascade does not send any untested, unprocessed electronic scrap overseas. Depending on the quality of equipment we receive from customers, we may actually be able to pay them more through our rebate sharing program than we charge for processing fees. We also provide more liability protection with on-site shredding and data wiping services included in our fees.

Our goal is to reduce your Total Cost of Ownership for IT assets. Let us demonstrate how our solutions provide you with a positive return on investment. More details on our services are provided on our website.
Back to the top

How long have you been in business and established?
Cascade has been in business since April, 1999 and has established itself as a national leader in full service asset management and responsible electronic equipment recycling. Cascade has grown its business to this level primarily through word of mouth of satisfied customers, through our network of partners, vendors, group purchasing organizations and through community outreach such as our collection events. Cascade has been featured in dozens of news stories from around the world and has spoken at international conferences on electronics recycling. If you Google Cascade, you’ll find over 10,000 entries. We have more than 500 corporate clients and serve customers from across North America. We currently handle about 1 million pounds of electronics per month.
Back to the top

Will you come out and do an estimate?
Absolutely! We are happy to provide an estimate and can work that one of two ways. Many of our customers have inventory lists or have an idea of items and quantities that we can provide an estimate from. If that is not available or if you require a more detailed on-site evaluation (misc. items, unique items, preference to meet in person, etc.) we would be happy to accommodate this request. Please contact us to schedule a visit.
Back to the top

Is this service tax deductible?
Cascade is a for-profit business and not a charitable entity. Charges for processing services are deductible as a normal business expense, but do not count as a tax-deductible personal donation. We do assist enterprises with the placement of their reusable IT equipment into non-profit organizations. We only donate good working equipment. We ensure that your identity is protected through secure data wiping/shredding and we recycle whatever equipment cannot be used.
Back to the top

Can we get a volume discount?
Potentially, yes. Our pricing is basically introductory retail pricing and a good starting point for estimating your processing fees. Cascade offers volume discounts based on the quantity and quality of your equipment and is committed to developing a custom plan that best fits your needs. Let’s set up a meeting/conference call to talk about estimated quantities your company may have in the next six to twelve months to come up with a plan that works best for you.
Back to the top

Why can’t I toss this stuff?
Recycling computers is a far superior option to land-filling them. A computer system typically contains more than a hundred heavy metals and elements, many of which are hazardous to the environment. For instance, a monitor can contain 2-6 pounds of lead. Landfills are not designed to trap these elements forever.

Many states have passed or introduced legislation regulating electronics disposal. There is a federal law called RCRA (Resource Conservation and Recovery Act) that lists the amount of toxic quantities/concentrations allowable for disposing of equipment in solid waste landfills. This law applies to businesses and institutions disposing of at least 220 pounds of equipment containing hazardous materials per month (all items with hazardous materials count toward the 220 pound minimum, including regulated chemicals, fluorescent lamps, batteries, and computers). Since monitors and computers typically contain enough hazardous materials to classify them as a hazardous waste when disposed a company that generates as few as five 17” monitors per month would be regulated and must not landfill ANY item with hazardous materials (RCRA exempts households and very small quantity generators of hazardous waste from this landfill restriction). Some states restrict the disposal of certain electronics from any entity in any quantity.

Health care facilities, insurance companies and financial institutions have to follow HIPAA laws to protect identity and security. Computers and IT equipment with asset tags and corporate markings that end up in landfills increase liability and fines. If you recycle, you don’t have to worry about liability. Cascade issues Disposition Reports and Certificates of Destruction for your records so you know how your equipment was handled and processed.
Back to the top

Can’t I just take it to the Goodwill or St. Vincent’s?
Many charities no longer accept used computer donations because they have had poor experiences in the past. They were given damaged and/or outdated computers and ultimately left with the responsibility of disposing of them properly. Many agencies such as United Way will issue a “wish list” for items they need. Before you donate your old equipment to an organization, make sure they want and need it. You don't want to give your trash to a charity - recycle it instead.

Some Goodwill centers have begun partnering with Dell for computer and TV recycling across the country. Cascade is not affiliated with this program and you can't really tell where the collected equipment goes. Dell has publicly committed to recycling electronics responsibly - ask Goodwill if they accept electronics before you drop them off.
Back to the top

Do you record serial numbers and / or asset tags?
Yes, Cascade is able to record serial numbers as well as make and model. This option is available upon request for a small fee per asset. The charge applies to each asset due to the detailed nature of the work and includes a paper and electronic copy for your records.
Back to the top

What is my liability once Cascade picks up the IT equipment?
Cascade is vigilant about protecting our customers’ data and identity. This begins by immediately inventorying, labeling and staging equipment to prevent loss or theft in our premises.

Cascade retains the service of an independent agent to provide expertise in determining our insurance needs. Certificates of insurance are available upon request and can be issued as an insurance binder in your company’s name. We maintain not only $5 million in General Liability coverage, but also $2 million for Pollution Liability and $5 million in Errors & Omissions coverage.
Back to the top

What happens to my retired IT equipment?
Your equipment is staged, weighed and separated at one of our processing facilities upon delivery. End of life, damaged and unusable equipment is prepared for disassembly and physical destruction where they are processed for hazardous waste recovery and commodity recycling. Reusable equipment is processed for testing and electronic data wiping.
Back to the top

What exactly is hazardous?
All computers and electronics contain numerous hazardous components such as:
• Lead - CRT displays contain 2-8 lbs. of lead and most solder used in circuit boards is lead.
• Barium- is used in the front panel of the CRT monitor to protect users from radiation.
• Mercury- Light bulbs in flat panel displays, switches, and printed wiring boards all contain mercury.
• Cadmium- Surface mount device (SMD) chip resistors, infrared detectors, semiconductors and older types of cathode ray tubes contain cadmium.
Back to the top

How do I know this stuff will not end up in China or some other country?
Cascade is one of the original signers of the Electronic Recycler’s Pledge of True Stewardship. We promise to conduct business with a comprehensive environmental management system and to meet best practices, seek out business partners and vendors that meet all applicable environmental and health regulations, provide the highest standards for efficiency, cleanliness, health and safety…and do not ship whole, untested or unprocessed equipment to developing countries. As part of our ISO 14001 certification, we are annually audited by a third-party audit to comply with this commitment .

Many of the recyclable commodities (such as steel, copper, aluminum, clean CRT glass cullet) are eventually shipped overseas to make new computers, refrigerators, TV’s, etc. that are purchased/sold in the US. We would be happy to open our books to show you exactly what/where we ship; we challenge any other recycler to do that.
Back to the top

Can we take a look at your facility?
We welcome you to visit our facility for a tour or audit any time.
Back to the top

Can we audit you?
We would be happy to provide you with a Self Audit Packet for your review prior to your visit. Please call ahead to we can dedicate the appropriate time for your visit and any questions you may have.
Back to the top

Are you certified under any standard?
Cascade’s Madison facility initially received ISO 14001 Certification for its Environmental Management System in June, 2006 and was recertified during June, 2007 and 2008 Surveillance Audits. The company was re-certified to ISO 14001 by Bureau Veritas in June, 2009. We also received the Electronic Recyclers Certification from the International Association of Electronics Recyclers in May of 2006 to independently verify our quality, health & safety, operations, and financial condition represents best in class in the industry. We are one of only 4 companies in the world to have achieved both certifications

Cascade’s Indianapolis area facility (in Plainfield) is also a new facility designed to the same best in class specifications. This facility also received its initial ISO 14001 Certification in June, 2007 and a Surveillance audit in 2008 and also became a Certified Electronics Recycler at that time.

Cascade is also an e-Steward recycler and follows the requirements of the e-Steward program. We are working toward the new e-Steward Certification standard and expect to be audited to the standard in the summer of 2010.
Back to the top

How do you determine pricing for rebates?
Rebate prices are determined by a number of factors including condition of equipment, age of equipment, processor speeds, cosmetics and market pricing. By testing and repairing equipment before resale, and by gaining access to worldwide markets to resell equipment, Cascade can command higher prices for your surplus goods. We’ll work harder to get you more money for your equipment. It’s in our interest to generate the maximum amount of revenue for your equipment, so you can be assured we’ll do more than others to find the best value.
Back to the top

What happens to the information on my hard drives?
Cascade protects your confidentiality. Our technicians ensure no data can be retrieved under any circumstances from your electronic storage devices. Your liability is protected because Cascade guarantees legal and responsible disposition of your equipment. We also open every computer system to verify the actual hard drives present in that unit. We welcome any testing of our system and invite people to view our processes.

We offer two methods of data removal upon request: wiping of hard drives or shredding if the medium cannot be wiped. We use a software tool developed to overwrite the physical drive off a network boot and also perform a full discovery on the equipment.

Cascade also operates its own on-site shredder when drives need to be physically destroyed.

We have developed a very detailed data security program built to the standards of the National Association for Information Destruction. It addresses a wipe range of media and standards for destruction, as well as lists physical and personnel controls in place to protect the information of our customers (e.g., surveillance cameras, drug testing, secure testing areas).
Back to the top

What is your resale process?
Cascade sells select computer and IT equipment through its eBay stores accessible from our web site. We also sell items to employees of our customers through the Cascade Marketplace, an on-line store accessible with a password supplied to our customers. Refurbished equipment is also resold to our worldwide wholesale markets and through our e-bay account.
Back to the top

What is a Certificate of Destruction?
Cascade processes your equipment for resale, donation or recycling based on your requests and contingent on the market demand for processed equipment. Once all equipment has been processed, Cascade issues you a Disposition Report summarizing how all equipment was handled. A Notice of Recycling/Certificate of Destruction accompanies this report and should be retained by you as proof your equipment was handled according to law (HIPAA, GLB).
Back to the top

Can I bring my personal PC in for recycling too?
Not directly to Cascade, but we partner with many municipal collection programs who offer convenient drop-off program. You still benefit from Cascade’s Safe & Sound services, but have the convenience of a local drop-off option. We maintain a list of businesses and communities collecting electronics for later processing by Cascade. Depending on the host community, fees vary for this service and some offer it at no charge to residents.

If you aren’t able to participate in one of these programs, try to locate another responsible recycler or collection agency. First, view the list of e-Stewards with sites across the US or look at Earth 911 for other computer recycling options. Many states with e-waste laws also maintain a list of registered recyclers and collectors. Search the web for your state and "e-waste recycling" for more information.
Back to the top

How do Cascade’s Rebate Values compare to the True Marketplace?
Cascade’s bulk resale prices are consistent with the average wholesale price listed with Orion Blue Book. Since we sell equipment in bulk, FOB Cascade, with a 30 day warranty, but without any extra cleaning of the machines we expect to hit this target. Some eBay sales approach or exceed the mint wholesale value and sometimes match the used list price because we put extra sales effort into these items.

Cascade endeavors to generate the highest return for our customers for resalable equipment through our rebates. Our resale/rebate values are based on true market values generated from a competitive marketplace (through wholesale buyers bidding on lots or from online auctions). We are transparent in our resale values and designed our rebate programs to maximize resale values for your equipment.
Back to the top

What’s the deal with Orion Blue Book and can we use that for Fair Market Valuations?
Our customers should look at the Blue Book just as they would the Kelly Blue Book for cars. There are different values based on who is buying the car. A dealer that purchases a used car without any representation on its value will pay much less than an individual buying a “certified pre-owned vehicle.” Therefore, the true FMV assigned to a computer at a customer’s loading dock will be different than the FMV assigned to the same computer that has been cleaned up and placed on a shelf at a Computer Renaissance store.

One other point to note is that Orion generates its values based on a market survey and then applies these prices to products for the next quarter. Their values can be up to 4 months old. Market research from the Aberdeen Group indicates used computer equipment depreciates about 6% per month. So, you should expect Orion’s values to always be high.
Back to the top

What is Cascade’s RDT (Rapid Deployment Team) Service?
Cascade created its Rapid Deployment Team (RDT) out of frustration from the lack of trusted, quality on-site de-installation, packaging and hauling options available for our customers’ valuable and sensitive IT equipment. With our experience logging millions of miles and tens of thousands of hours in local pick-ups in the Midwest we created the RDT solution for clients with sites throughout North America.

The Rapid Deployment Team is a group of Cascade employees who have been specially trained to safely and efficiently handle the collection and packaging of sensitive IT assets. They are ready to be sent to customer sites across the continent with very little notice. When they are not working at customers’ sites, they are either performing local collections or processing activities at one of Cascade’s facilities.

RDT Staff Capabilities:
• Quick deployment to any site in North America
• Desktop de-installation of computer equipment
• On-site Asset inventory
• Hard drive sanitization (electronic)
• Hard drive physical destruction (crushing)
• Equipment packaging
• Other specialized services that shouldn’t always be trusted to third parties
Back to the top

What Makes Cascade’s RDT a Better Solution for You?
While moving companies are available to package and haul away equipment as well, the people they send to your site might treat a sensitive device like a computer the same way they handle boxes and furniture. How many times have you received a broken monitor from UPS? Our RDT provides its own specialized packaging and takes great care in protecting your assets during handling and transit. We know how and we have an incentive to be careful, since we share revenue with you from the resale of any of these assets. Our RDT team is also more efficient at packing your IT equipment than your own staff or moving companies and may cost you less in total project time required to complete your tasks.

Cascade’s RDT staff also provides better security for your company and the personal information on your computers. All RDT staff undergoes criminal background checks and drug screens. Many are also DOT certified (which is required for hauling work). They have been trained in Cascade’s high standards for data security to protect our customers’ identity.
Back to the top

Can I buy stock in Cascade?
No, Cascade is a not a publicly held company.
Back to the top