Photo courtesy of Angie Scheu.
Every November, America Recycles Day reminds us that our choices matter — not only in what we buy, but also in what we throw away. One of the fastest-growing waste streams in the world is electronic waste, or e-waste — everything from outdated computers and broken gaming consoles to the tangle of old cables hiding in our basements. These materials contain valuable metals and hazardous components that don’t belong in landfills. Fortunately, one local business has been tackling that challenge for nearly four decades.
Simply Living Business Member Columbus Micro Systems (CMS), a family-owned company founded in 1988, has grown from building custom computers to becoming one of Central Ohio’s most trusted R2v3-certified electronics recyclers. Yet it still retains it’s small, family-oriented feel and close knit company culture. “I remember when it was just me and my dad, working weekend mornings at 7:00 back here with our McDonald’s coffees,” laughs President Zagrous ‘Zag’ Kawarizadeh, who took over the business eight years ago.
Why E-Waste Matters
E-waste is the fastest-growing category of waste! The UN Global e-Waste Monitor reports, “Only 22.3% of the e-waste generated in 2022 was documented as being properly collected and recycled. This means over three-quarters of all e-waste ends up improperly disposed of or lost entirely.”
Beyond the wasted resources, it poses real safety risks. Lithium-ion batteries, for instance, have been known to cause fires at recycling facilities. Columbus Micro Systems can accept and recycle many e-waste materials – including lithium-ion batteries – safely. They accept a wide variety of electronics for recycling, including:
- Cell phones, tablets, and laptops
- Desktop computers and monitors
- Gaming systems like Nintendo and Xbox
- Cables, chargers, and damaged extension cords
- Holiday string lights
- Flat-screen TVs (nominal fee applies)
Most items are recycled free of charge, with small fees only for items such as CRT monitors and televisions.
💡 You can view the full list of e-waste types collected by Columbus Micro Systems on Simply Living’s Recycling Resource tab.
Secure Data, Responsible Disposal
Data security is as important as environmental responsibility. As an R2v3-certified facility, Columbus Micro Systems follows strict standards for data sanitization — including both physical destruction and logical data erasure.
Closing the Loop Locally
Columbus Micro Systems goes beyond recycling — they refurbish computers (including medical-grade devices) and ensure that usable technology finds new life where it’s needed most. Through partnerships with organizations like the Center for Refugee and Immigration Services (CRIS), refurbished equipment helps CRIS provide essential services like immigration legal assistance, employment preparation and job placement, case management, advocacy and more
The company also supports innovative local initiatives, such as Form 5, founded by Aaron Westbrook, which uses recycled polymers to 3D-print prosthetic limbs. Columbus Micro Systems provides materials that help make that possible.
And in keeping with their community spirit, Columbus Micro Systems collaborates with ViaQuest, providing meaningful work opportunities for individuals with developmental disabilities who help prepare electronics and components for recycling.
Urban Mining and the Future of Recycling
Zag also explains that circuit boards often contain a lot of fiberglass, which can be dangerous to recycle due to health hazards. It is necessary to separate the metal and plastic components. Inside every circuit board lies a small treasure of precious metals like gold, silver, and copper. CMS is pursuing urban mining opportunities to recover these materials safely and sustainably, ensuring that what’s extracted from our devices goes back into useful production rather than waste.
According to the UN Global e-Waste Monitor, “The raw materials present in the e-waste generated annually are estimated to be worth approximately $62 billion, including gold, silver, copper, and rare earth elements, most of which are currently unaccounted for.”
Even something as simple as an old network cable is part of the process. “They’re made of plastic and copper,” Zag explains. “We granulate the cable, and the copper ends up in a foundry right here in Ohio.”
Photo courtesy of Angie Scheu.
38 Years of Sustainable Innovation
Now celebrating its 38th year, Columbus Micro Systems continues to expand partnerships with local governments, schools, and businesses — including the City of Columbus, Capital University, and Columbus Public Schools. What started as a small computer shop has become a regional leader in responsible technology management and sustainable recycling.
This America Recycles Day, Simply Living invites you to take a closer look at the devices gathering dust in your drawers. Whether it’s a cracked phone, an old monitor, or a box of mystery cables. Columbus Micro Systems can give them a new purpose while protecting our planet.
Learn more or schedule a pickup: https://columbusmicro.com
Explore Simply Living’s Recycling Resource: simplyliving.org/recycling-resources
Simply Living thanks Columbus Micro Systems for it’s support and collaboration as a business member for 2025!
