Local business owner Steve Hiday has been very successful with his computer/technology support business in Lawrence called the Mobile Geeks. But like most entrepreneurs, Hiday discovered a need that wasn't being fulfilled and is launching a new venture: Green Wave Computer Recycling.
"Every business I go into there is a 'bone yard' of old computers, monitors, and other electronic equipment that they are afraid to throw away," Hiday explains. "Most people understand that computers are full of harmful toxins so a landfill is not a good resting home for them."
After a year of planning and testing, Green Wave Computer Recycling takes old electronic equipment, primarily computers and monitors, and disassembles them for safe recycling. Hard drives are removed and run through a grinder to insure no one recycles your personal information. Large bins full of scrap plastic, metal, aluminum, glass and other materials sit in Hiday's warehouse down off of Thunderbird Road near Pendleton Pike. Unlike other "IT disposal" companies, Hiday's crew actually disassembles all their electronic components on-site.
"Some of the larger businesses in our space just load up a truck with old electronics and ship them off to some large processing plant where they are put into a landfill anyways. We go through each piece and literally disassemble each component."
Hiday got his start five years ago while working as a computer repair technician at a local electronics retailer.
"I literally had $40 to my name, so I made up some flyers for the Mobile Geeks and posted them all over Castleton."
Several phone calls and referrals later, Hiday had a successful on-site computer support business providing everything from virus support and protection to websites. His latest recycling venture helps the environment and augments his existing Mobile Geeks business nicely.
"We take basically anything that plugs into the wall," says Hiday.
If you have some old computers cluttering your garage, televisions, printers, or if you own a business with one of those infamous 'boneyards', Call Green Wave Computer Recycling at 317-627-0778 or stop by their offices at 5841 Thunderbird Road, Suite G. There is a fee per piece for their service, but Hiday explains that in some cases components have recycled value and may offset their fees.
