Cascade is capable of effectively and safely processing most information technology equipment and office electronics. We are also able to process certain electronic medical equipment and industrial equipment when they meet our specific acceptance guidelines and receive pre-approval from Cascade prior to pick up. There are some electronic items Cascade is not suited to process, and we call these items “nonconforming equipment.” We can help customers find suitable alternatives for processing these nonconforming items.

• Link to a printable document with alternative resources to help you properly dispose of equipment Cascade considers “nonconforming.”
• RecyclePak program from Veolia – We recommend using Veolia’s convenient pre-paid box, shipping and recycling system. Buy from their online catalog. Includes options for recycling many items Cascade considers non-conforming, including smoke detectors, PCB ballasts, mercury containing devices (thermometers, thermostats, mercury wetted relays, etc.), fluorescent lamps/bulbs, etc.
• Items acceptable for processing by Cascade
• Cascade’s battery handling guide for customers – this resource provides information on how to prepare loose batteries for pickup by Cascade for safe and compliant hauling and recycling.

Nonconforming Equipment

Generally speaking, Cascade does not process items with liquids, radiation, or hazardous waste, or that are potentially contaminated with harmful or unknown chemicals, biological pathogens, radioactive substances, or other hazardous material. Other licensed firms are better able to deal with these hazards. Companies should look to see if they are already under contract with a suitable hazardous waste processor for treating these items, or Cascade can help you find options for this waste.

Here is a list of some products Cascade considers “nonconforming” and will reject for processing:

1. Damaged Lithium-ion batteries (and devices with damaged Li-ion batteries) that are not properly packaged and labeled for shipping are not accepted for pickup or shipment by Cascade. A damaged Li-ion battery would be swollen, burnt, smoking, or show other signs of physical damage. These may be unsafe for anyone to handle because they can ignite. Also, the DOT does not allow for them to be transported without proper labeling and packaging.
   1. You can order a kit for safely packing and shipping damaged Li-ion batteries for processing that meets DOT requirements from Call2Recycle (1 complete recycling and shipping kit starts at $90.00) or Veolia (their DDR Lithium ion battery recycling kits start at $322.32).
   2. Contact Cascade Customer Service about using Cascade to safely and legally package and transport damaged Li-ion batteries or devices with Li-ion batteries (tablets, laptops, phones that are bulging). The cost for this service is $7.50 per battery, plus applicable device/battery processing, inventory, and handling charges. Learn more here.
2. Equipment with potential biological contamination (see also Cascade’s “Acceptance Guidelines for Healthcare Customers” for more information about handling items that may have been used in a clinical environment that will need special handling before acceptance by Cascade.)
   1. Medical or other IT equipment with a bloodborne pathogen exposure risk that has not been decontaminated on its surface
   2. Any equipment that shows evidence of biological contamination
   3. Any medical waste including sharps or other contaminated wastes
   4. Anything in a biohazard bag
   5. Food waste
   6. Items or shipments of items carrying pests or animals (live, eggs, remains), such as bed bugs, roaches, rodents, reptiles, etc. If you encounter equipment exposed to bed bugs, follow treatment recommendations provided by the Mayo Clinic.
   7. Equipment exposed to sewage from flooding, unless it has been decontaminated and dried prior to handling by Cascade.
3. Mercury containing devices (Cascade can accept LCD monitors, laptops and televisions for processing, even though they contain mercury lamps)
   1. Mercury thermometers
   2. Mercury thermostats
   3. Fluorescent lamps (or light bulbs) – in fixtures or loose
4. Loose batteries or bulbs (LEDs, fluorescents, incandescents, etc.)
5. E-cigarettes
6. Leaking wet celled batteries (such as car batteries that are leaking)
7. Solar panels
8. Household appliances (white goods)
   1. Large refrigerators
   2. Ovens
   3. Dishwashers
   1. Dehumidifiers
   2. Air conditioners
9. Any liquids or chemicals
   1. Known or unknown chemicals
   2. Cleaners
   3. Reagents
   4. Oil or fuel
10. Loose capacitors
11. Items containing Polychlorinated Biphenyls (PCBs)
    1. Capacitors
    2. Lighting ballasts manufactured before 1979
    3. Any magnetic ballast not labeled “does not contain PCBs”
12. Explosives
    1. Airbags
    2. Ammunition
    3. Firearms
13. Radioactive materials (look for radioactive sticker on device)
    1. Some exit signs
    2. Some medical equipment
    3. Some smoke/carbon monoxide detectors
14. Solid waste or other trash
    1. Large amounts of rubber or glass
    2. Plumbing/plumbing fixtures
    3. Anything containing Asbestos
15. Gases—explosive or otherwise
    1. Propane tanks
    2. Oxygen
    3. CO2
16. Empty canisters, cylinders or tanks
17. Paint
18. Materials with high amounts of lead, cadmium, or other dangerous components that are not typically present in office electronics
19. Anything else that could pose a threat to health, safety, or the environment
    1. Sharp objects, such as knives, box cutters, or scissors

Nonconforming Equipment Procedure

In contracts with customers, Cascade will define its procedure for handling nonconforming equipment generated by the customer and identified by Cascade during pickup or processing. For those customers not under contract, our standard Terms and Conditions apply.

The section about Nonconforming Equipment from our Standard Terms and Conditions is excerpted here:

Customer agrees to only send computer and other office electronic equipment and related materials to Cascade for processing. Cascade is not capable of processing hazardous materials that are not particular to electronic equipment. Equipment shall be considered non-conforming, after initial evaluation of each shipment (which shall take place no laterthan 30 days after delivery thereof in Cascade’s facility), if it fails to conform to the characteristics agreed to by Cascade in any material respect.

Cascade may revoke its acceptance of NCE within five business days of Cascade’s discovery of the non-conformity. The revocation of acceptance shall be effective immediately upon receipt by the customer of oral notice followed by written notice. The customer shall direct Cascade within seven business days of an alternative lawful manner of disposition of theNCE. If the customer fails to so direct Cascade, Cascade shall prepare for lawful transportation and return of the NCE to the customer at the customer’s expense.

Cascade retains the right not to service NCE. If Cascade cannot or chooses not to service NCE or the customer elects not to have Cascade service the NCE, the customer shall pay Cascade reasonable handling costs including, but not limited to, transportation, unloading, loading, preparing, storing and caring for the NCE. Cascade shall be responsible only for its employees, agents, subcontractors or invitees negligence with respect to any such NCE.