FOXe: Cinco Electronics

Austin, TX - Cinco Electronics Recycling takes just about everything including microwaves, printers and computers. They break those products down into pieces and recycle or reuse everything. The plastic shells are bundled and sent to a plastics recycler. The components inside are classified by value and metal-type before going to the appropriate business downstream.

For most people, these items are just trash. For manufacturers, it's outdated technology that can't be used anymore, but it's illegal for them to dump it in a landfill. But at Cinco Electronics, this stuff means money.

First, they sort through everything. They take everything apart and figure out what it is. Then, it all goes into a bin and gets organized.

Everything is taken apart and resorted. The less valueable items are separated from the more valuable items. Some have gold, platinum or copper, which can be resold later.

Computers that come from banks, hospitals and people's homes have sensitive information on them. The hard drives are removed and put through a shredder. All the littel scraps are sent off to be recycled.

Electronics with a plastic shell, like radios and televisions, get chucked into a baler where they are crammed down and smashed into bales so they can be recycled.

Tubes from old televisions and computers have lead in them that needs to be removed. They have to be recycled and put in the right spot. The same goes for laptop batteries. They either get repaired and sold as "used" or they are sent to Canada for recycling.

Other outdated computers and televisions get taken apart and recycled, or are repaired so they can be used again.

You can bring Cinco Electronics items from your own home. They are located at 3727 Drossett Drive, Austin, TX 78744. Phone: (512) 693-8888.