Why SC Makes This Harder Than It Should Be

SC Electronics Recycling Act of 2011: As of 2011, computers, monitors, televisions, and most covered electronic devices cannot legally go in SC landfills or curbside trash. Facilities that accept them can be fined. The curb stopped being an option.

South Carolina passed its e-waste ban in 2011 — one of the later states to do so. Before that, people just threw old computers in the trash and the county took them. Those days are over, and the alternatives the state envisioned (county collection events, drop-off centers) haven't kept pace with the actual volume of e-waste households and businesses generate.

For homeowners, this means that clearing out old electronics — a dead laptop, two monitors, a printer that stopped working three years ago — now requires planning. County convenience centers accept limited items and keep limited hours. Municipal collection events happen once or twice a year if your county runs them at all, and the date is rarely advertised until the week before.

For businesses, the stakes are higher. Improper disposal creates legal liability under state law. If those devices contain employee records, financial data, or patient information, you're also looking at HIPAA, SOX, or FINRA exposure. "We threw it away" isn't a data destruction policy that holds up.


Your Options for E-Waste Disposal in Upstate SC

You have a few legitimate options. Some are more useful than others — here's an honest breakdown.

What NOT to do: Don't put electronics in the trash — that's a violation of SC law. Don't leave them on the curb. Don't ship them to unverified overseas recyclers, which often means the devices end up in informal dumping grounds in West Africa or Southeast Asia rather than being processed responsibly. If a "free recycling" offer doesn't mention where material goes, that's a red flag.

If you're a business with devices to dispose of, schedule a pickup and we'll take care of scheduling, transport, data destruction, and documentation. You don't need to sort or prepare anything.


How Upstate Reboot Makes It Free

The short answer: we resell refurbished components and repaired devices. When a computer comes in for recycling, we assess it. If it's repairable, we quote it; if you want it fixed, we fix it. If not, or if it's already past recovery, we disassemble it ourselves — here, not shipped off — and recover value from the components and materials. That revenue offsets the cost of responsible processing.

What We Offer

Residential and business e-waste disposal, Upstate SC
Free*

*Residential drop-off is always free. Business bulk pickup is free for 20+ devices. Certified data destruction is $10–$15 per drive with a certificate of destruction included.

Residential drop-off — always free
Business bulk pickup — free for 20+ devices
Certified data destruction — $10–$15/drive, cert included
Certificate of destruction — included with every certified job
Responsible processing — zero landfill, handled here in Upstate SC

Before you drop off — a quick checklist

If the device holds any personal data, run through these before you bring it in. We'll handle the secure wipe as part of the recycling process regardless, but it's good practice to do your own prep first.

Bring the device in as-is if it's a dead machine that won't power on. We'll work around it.


Find Your City's Guide

We serve all of Upstate SC. Each city page has local service details, specific neighborhoods we cover, and a direct contact form.

Need documented chain-of-custody for compliance? See our certified data destruction page for businesses and government agencies.

Ready to recycle? Let's make it easy.

Schedule a free pickup or drop off at our shop — same-day accepted.

Schedule Free Pickup → Call (864) 423-6562
E-Waste FAQs

Questions about electronics recycling in SC

Residential drop-off is always free. Business bulk pickup is free for 20 or more devices. Certified data destruction is $10–$15 per drive with a certificate of destruction included — that's the only thing we charge for, and only if you need documented destruction for compliance.

Computers, laptops, monitors, printers, tablets, phones, networking gear (routers, switches, access points), and cables. No CRTs (the old glass-front monitors) without calling first — those require different processing. No appliances like microwaves, washers, or refrigerators.

Yes. South Carolina's Electronics Recycling Act of 2011 prohibits the disposal of covered electronic devices — computers, monitors, and televisions — in landfills or municipal solid waste. Facilities that knowingly accept them can be fined. Putting a covered device in your trash doesn't just create problems for you; it creates liability for the hauler and the landfill.

Every drive is securely wiped (NIST SP 800-88) or physically destroyed before any parts leave the shop. We do not send devices off to third parties for this step — it happens here. For businesses or individuals who need documentation, we provide a certificate of destruction per drive. See our certified data destruction pricing.

Free bulk pickup for 20 or more devices. We coordinate scheduling, transportation, certified data destruction, and full documentation. You don't need to sort or prep the devices — just let us know what you have. Submit a quote request and we'll get a time on the calendar.

Submit a quote form at our quote page or call (864) 423-6562. Hours: Monday–Friday 9am–6pm, Saturday 10am–4pm. Walk-ins accepted for drop-off during business hours — no appointment needed for residential recycling.