DONATING ELECTRONICS
PLANNING EARTH DAY EVENTS
GENERAL INFORMATION: ELECTRONIC DONATIONS
Goodwill accepts computers, televisions, and other electronic items- any brand, old or new, working or not. Goodwill Industries of San Diego County is a state certified "collector" of CRTS. LCDs , and televisions through the California Integrated Waste Management Board (CIWMB) and an electronic “handler/recycler” through the California Department of Toxic Substances Control (DTSC).
E-Waste vs. Electronics: There are some exceptions to what we can accept as a donation. We accept computers, laptops, cell phones, telephones, computer parts & accessories, and other electronic items. We either sell, or recycle the units in an environmentally responsible way. No, thank you! We can't afford to accept things like florescent lights, batteries and many other items grouped under the general category "e-waste". If we receive them, we must pay to properly dispose of them, which takes money away from programs and services.
Why does Goodwill need my contact information for electronics? State Regulations require us to to get a contact name and /or business name, complete address, and a telephone number, and a signature on a statement indicating that the computers, televisions, or any other electronic items were used in California. If you have additional questions, please call our communications (M-F 8-3) at 619-225-2200 or 888-446-6394 (toll free within San Diego County.
Why can't I take electronics to the Goodwill donation center at the Miramar Landfill?? The City of San Diego has contracted with the "recycling" facility adjacent to our location to handle all items with an electrical cord. We do accept them at every other location in San Diego County.
What do I need to know about taking my electronics or my big TV to a Goodwill free-standing donation center?
large items, large quantities, oddly shaped, or heavy electronic items take up valuable space in our "boxes" and in many cases can't be stacked, so we would appreciate if you could plan to bring your donation before noon so that we have room to secure it, or to reroute a truck to pick it up during business hours.
Bring a friend We suggest you bring someone to help you remove the item from your vehicle. In several of our centers there is only ONE person working, and we do not have the knowledge or equipment to remove really heavy items from your vehicle. This request also supports our insurance and liability procedures.
I have lots of electronic items to donate. What should I do? Please contact the customer service department at our main office to make arrangements 619-225-2200 or 888-446-6394 (toll free within San Diego County).
I have lots of furniture, and a few electronic items to donate. What do you suggest? If you have LESS than 20 systems, and you also plan to donate furniture and a large quantity of other items, we may be able to include your television or computer as part of our furniture pick up system. Most electronics are recycled, so it is simply not feasible to offer pick up services for electronics alone. To determine if you are eligible, please contact our Customer Service line at 888-446-6394 Monday- Friday between 8:00am and 4:30pm.
If I am donating electronics, do I have to stay home until they show up? Someone must be home to complete our donation receipt at the time of pick up. If no one is present, we will only take clothing, household goods and the non-electronic items that are clearly marked for Goodwill, are outside at ground level, and can be lifted by two men and a dolly.
These things are just too big, or too heavy, or upstairs, or at the back of the house We understand that some of these items are heavy, and that not everyone has appropriate transportation or manpower. It is important to understand that with electronics, Goodwill offers the community a free recycling service, not free moving and transportation services.
I'm concerned about my personal information, and one of the computers is even broken!: It is the donor’s responsibility to remove or “wipe” the hard drive prior to donation. If you go online, or to your local library, there are lots of free videos,detailed instructions, and resources that will allow you to either wipe your hard drive or remove it and destroy the data. You do not have to be a "techie" to figure it out.
I hear you have some sort of deal going with Dell about recycling Visit www.reconnectpartnership.com for more information on how we have partnered with the electronics giant to make sure we do everything possible to assure that these items are handled in an environmentally responsible way.
What happens to my computer Your computer donations provide employment and job training for people with developmental disabilities. The training allows members of this team to earn a paycheck by removing the hard drives and other components and sorting them into categories ready for pick up by a state certified recycler.
Goodwill operates a secure facility. Newer computers are tested to see if they are functional, and if so, the the hard drives are removed or wiped before they are offered for sale.
We have been in this business for many years, and have never had an incidence of identity theft.
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