Wits, Inc.
Building Communities through Reuse, Recycling and Education 

Wits Danville, IL, is closed
pending further notice.

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FAQ's - St. Louis, MO

QUESTIONS:

1. What happens if we need to ensure our data is secure by destroying the drives?
2. Can I watch my Hard Drives being destroyed?
3. How do you ensure our data is completely erased?
4. What happens to my equipment once it's recycled?
5. What happens to Hard Drives?
6. What happens to equipment that is working?
7. Do you recycle non-working equipment and items other than computers?
8. Is pick-up available for equipment in locations outside of Saint Louis?
9. Do you ever charge a fee for recycling?
10. How much experience does Wits have in the recycling field?
11. How much advance notice do you need to schedule a pick-up?
12. Do you have a minimum pick-up quantity?
13. How do I schedule a pick-up?
14. Will your staff pick up items from my basement or lower level?
15. Do you ever export outside of the United States?
16. Do you pick up from residents or businesses? Do you have other drop off points?
17. Are my donations tax deductible? Is Wits a 501c3?
18. How can my community or business host schedule an event with WITS? Is there a charge?
19. Do you take the same items at all sites or events?
20. Why should I use Wits for recycling services?
21. Does Wits have any certifications or qualifications?
22. Who do I contact if I need more information?

ANSWERS:

1. What happens if we need to ensure our data is secure by destroying the drives?
   Answer: When requested, Wits will destroy the drives completely. Wits will also provide a log of the serial numbers of all destroyed drives upon request. (back to top)
   
   
2. Can I watch my Hard Drives being destroyed?
   Answer: Yes, Wits has an open-door policy when it comes to recycling. Just give us a call one day in advance so we can ensure a destruction specialist is available. (back to top)
   
   
3. How do you ensure our data is completely erased?
   Answer: Wits has data destruction software which will perform a complete data destruction per NIST and DoD (Department of Defense) 5220.22-M standards. After the data wipe there is no data remaining on the drives. (back to top)
   
   
4. What happens to my equipment once it's recycled?
   Answer: Wits uses local vendors who are registered as appropriate recyclers or end processors. Parts and components which cannot be used in Wits training programs are sent to end processors. (back to top)
   
   
5. What happens to Data Drives?
   Answer: Because we are a reuse organization our preference is to save costs by being able to reuse the drive. If a client prefers destruction then we will provide that also at no additional cost.
   A. Physical Destruction - Data drives are always destroyed when an unusable data-containing device is donated.
   B. Data Erased Using Software - When reusable hard drives are available they are securely erased of all previous user-data. Using specialized software certified to Department of Defense and NIST Standards, clients can trust that there is no possibility to recover data. (back to top)
   
   
6. What happens to equipment that is working?
   Answer: Wits refurbishes all electronics collected and puts reuseable items back into the community to low-income families, nonprofits, churches and community programs. (back to top)
   
   
7. Do you recycle non-working equipment and items other than computers?
   Answer: Yes, we break down nonworking items to component level in our training and education programs. We recycle and reuse many different items including, but not limited to, electronics, medical and office equipment, appliances and batteries (including household). (back to top)
   
   
8. Is pick-up available for equipment in locations outside of Saint Louis?
   Answer: Yes, Wits has the ability to pick up equipment throughout the United States. We have operations and drop-off points in several states. Please contact us for a request. (back to top)
   
   
9. Do you ever charge a fee for recycling?
   Answer: No, Wits accepts all electronics free of charge. We do ask for a tax deductible donation to help cover our costs, but everything is accepted free. (back to top)
   
   
10. How much experience does Wits have in the recycling field?
    Answer: We have 9 years experience in reuse and recycling. (back to top)
    
    
11. How much advance notice do you need to schedule a pick-up?
    Answer: Generally pick-ups are confirmed and scheduled within one business day of your initial contact. Emails are checked regularly. (back to top)
    
    
12. Do you have a minimum pick-up quantity?
    Answer: No, we accept all quantities, including appliances and lawn equipment. We have trucks to handle all load sizes. (back to top)
    
    
13. How do I schedule a pick-up?
    Answer: To schedule a pick-up you can fill out the Pick-up Request Form. You can also e-mail us at dispatch@witsinc.org (back to top)
    
    
14. Will your staff pick up items from my basement or lower level?
    Answer: While we ask that you have items waiting at an access door, Wits will remove items from basements or lower levels at no additional charge. Our staff is trained to handle home situation pick-ups. (back to top)
    
    
15. Do you ever export outside of the United States?
    Answer: Absolutely not. Wits will never export any electronics outside of the United States. All items are handled by local vendors or R2 certified facilities. (back to top)
    
    
16. Do you pick up from residents or businesses? Do you have drop-off points?
    Answer: Yes, we offer both business and residential pick-up services and we also service Missouri communities with several drop-off sites. The complete list of sites and locations (some are monthly) can be found here: Drop-Off Sites (back to top)
    
    
17. Are my donations tax deductible? Is Wits a 501c3?
    Answer: Yes, Wits is a federally tax exempt organization. All donations can be written off on your taxes. You will receive a tax deduction letter option when you drop off at any one of our facilities or drop-off points. (back to top)
    
    
18. How can my community or business host schedule an event with Wits? Is there a charge?
    Answer: Wits hosts over 65 events and drop-off sites each year. We have over 8 years of experience with any size event. All we ask is that you promote the event to the community, employees or businesses around you. There is no charge for events, though we do ask for assistance covering our costs. (back to top)
    
    
19. Do you take the same items at all sites or events?
    Answer: Absolutely. From computers to appliances, we accept all items on our Items We Accept list. (back to top)
    
    
20. Why should I use Wits for recycling services?
    Answer: Wits offers one simple guarantee: Our community gets access to working equipment first. We do not send reuseable items out of state or country. All items that we can reuse go to help our local community have access to technology and electronics that they might not otherwise have access to. We are also unique in how we reuse nonworking equipment to teach those who need training in new job skills. So everything is used to help our economy grow stronger. (back to top)
    
    
21. Does Wits have any certifications or qualifications?
    Answer: Wits is a registered level II recycler with Missouri DNR. We are also registered as a collector and recycler with Ecycle MO, Ecycle St. Louis, in Illinois and Indiana. Wits is currently in the process of becoming an R2 certified facility in Illinois. (back to top)
    
    
22. Who do I contact for more information?
    Answer: You can reach our offices at either 314-382-6345 or
    314-382-1650 or email dispatch@witsinc.org (back to top)

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