Have questions about donating equipment or about our processes? See our most frequently asked questions below. For more information contact us at 651.779.2816 or email us.
The Donation Process
What happens to donated equipment?
How much does it cost to donate/recycle technology equipment?
Can my company host an equipment donation drive?
Why should we donate our equipment to MCFS?
What technology equipment can I donate?
Certifications and Data Security
Does MCFS erase all of the personal data from donated computers?
Does MCFS provide reports for donated equipment?
Recycling
What happens to recycled materials?
What are the benefits of recycling through MCFS?
The Donation Process
What happens to donated equipment?
MCFS makes every effort to refurbish and reuse all donated equipment. The refurbished equipment is placed in schools and educational nonprofits throughout the state. Every computer placed is customized to meet a particular organization’s needs and comes with a warranty and tech support.
Because reuse is at the heart of our mission, equipment that does not meet the requirements of schools and educational nonprofits will be sold or recycled. The money raised from sales of unusable technology will allow us to purchase components so that students receive the best technology solution possible.
How much does it cost to donate/recycle technology equipment?
There is no cost to donate most types of equipment. As of March 2017, we now charge a modest fee for products containing CRT (leaded) glass, primarily monitors and TVs. The cost breakdown is as follows:
LCD/LED and Plasma Displays: Free
CRTs <19″: $10
CRTs 20-25″: $18
CRTs >26″: $25
Console, DLP, or Rear Projection TVs: $40
Broken CRTs, LCD, LED, or Plasma: +$10 environmental charge
How can I schedule a pick up?
We are happy to pick up donations from businesses and organizations. Just give us a call at 651.779.2816 or email us.
Can I drop off my items?
Yes, no problem! Companies are welcome to make an appointment to drop off equipment donations at our intake facility is in Stillwater, simply call 651.779.2816 to schedule a drop off time. Details and directions can be found here.
Can my company host an equipment donation drive?
Yes – we’d love to come to your company and host a donation drive for employees. We provide this service at no cost and it is a fun way to rally together as a team to help students in need. Click here to learn more about hosting a drive.
Why should we donate our equipment to MCFS?
Thousands of computers are replaced every single day and most of them are simply recycled. MCFS gives you the option to easily put used technology to good use in a classroom that serves students in need.
Donating is easy and free – we’ll come pick up the equipment and there is no charge associated with donating equipment. Our data security practices, certifications and licenses assure you that we are a trusted partner for secure information destruction and recycling of end-of-life electronics.
What technology equipment can I donate?
We take nearly all technology equipment. Here is a complete list of the equipment that we accept.
Certifications and Data Security
Is MCFS a licensed recycler?
Yes! Each year we undergo a detailed audit to ensure that our processes comply with strict standards. In addition to being R2, ISO 14001:2004 and OHSAS 18001:2007 certified, we are also registered with the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency and licensed by Washington County’s Department of Public Health and Environment to operate a Hazardous Waste Facility in the State of Minnesota.
Click here for more information on our licenses and certifications.
Does MCFS erase all of the personal data from donated computers?
Yes – we are dedicated to data security. Each hard drive goes through a rigorous scrubbing process that complies with the Department of Defense standards.
WipeDrive Enterprise, a Department of Defense approved wiping tool, is used for data destruction that has been used by the U.S. government for more than 12 years. WipeDrive is HIPAA and Department of Defense 5220.22-M compliant as well as NIAP certified.
We are happy to provide a certificate of destruction upon request.
Does MCFS provide reports for donated equipment?
Every donor will receive a donation receipt, which will detail the items included in the donation. If you require a certificate of destruction for your donated equipment, we are happy to provide one upon request.
Recycling
What happens to recycled materials?
We make every effort to reuse and refurbish donated equipment. However, when reuse isn’t an option MCFS guarantees that any equipment that cannot be refurbished is recycled. All of the recycled materials are reduced to their smallest component parts and processed domestically – we never export hazardous materials out of the country.
The money raised from sales of unusable technology will allow us to purchase components so that students receive the best technology solution possible.
What are the benefits of recycling through MCFS?
Not only is recycling with us free, simple and good for the environment, you can be assured that we processes comply with strict standards. You can learn more about our licenses and certifications here.
In addition to providing refurbished computers to schools and educational nonprofits, we also teach job skills to individuals who face a barrier to employment.
Once hard drives are erased, all of our recycling work is completed by inmates at the Stillwater Correctional Facility. We hire and train up to 40 inmate workers so that they can develop employable job skills that will allow them to make positive choices upon release.
