Why we want your E-Waste and CRT Monitors!

 

(OSS) Spectrum/West was formed in 1985 as a Non-Profit shelter and training facility.  It became the largest independent shelter program in the western states.  In 1991, we turned our program over to the Glendale Seventh Day Adventists, and directed our efforts towards service disabled veterans. We became California certified, as a “Disabled Veteran Business Enterprise. 100% of the Officers and Staff were Vietnam Veterans.

In 1992, as part of our expansion, Spectrum/West moved to Los Angeles to capitalize on low rents and to be closer to our target population.  On April 30, the Los Angeles riots destroyed all of our operating equipment, supplies and records.  It was not until September, 1992 that we again resumed operations in Pasadena, California.

Spectrum/West is a company owned and operated by, Service Disabled Veterans whose primary mission is to provide training and rehabilitation for other disabled American veterans.  We also work with non-veteran disabled who apply under special circumstances.  We are a certified Los Angeles County vendor, and have been a “Partner in  Education” with the Pasadena Unified School District for 9 years. 

 

Spectrum/West is the North Valley regional office member of the Association For Service Disabled Veterans.  We are also an 8^th year, California Waste Reduction Awards (WRAP) winner.  We have received many commendations and letters of commendation from local schools in the San Gabriel Valley.

 

A small listing of our customers include: The U.S. Post Office, the Jet Propulsion Laboratory, the Pt. Hueneme Naval Station, the Los Angeles County ISD, City of Pomona and the Pasadena U.S.D.

Our staff and clients are highly trained in Computer Repair, CRT Rebuilding, CRT Recycling,Telephony, Fiber Optics Testing and Certification, and Laser Printer Repair and Maintenance.

We have all the equipment and experience to meet your needs.  Our motto is “Vets Helping Vets".   Let us help you.

 

The Spectrum/West Facilities

We are highly committed to the recycling of used computer monitors (CRT) and systems.  E-Salvage (computer systems, telephones and toner cartridges) are donated to us for their "fair market value" and rebuilt to be used by after school educational programs.  We also purchase empty toner cartridges for remanufacturing.

Those computers that are too old or unsuitable for remanufacture, are broken down for their components (plastic, glass, steel, and electronic components) and are recycled.  Funds derived from this recycling effort are used to provide salaries for our staff and students.

An ongoing project is the recycling of empty toner cartridges for laser printers and copiers.  We have a website www.spectrumwest.com that contains price information on the cartridges which we remanufacture.  Spectrum/West is one of the oldest toner cartridge recycling programs in the world.  We invented and received a patent filing for a Catalytic Converter for waste toner products.  We are the only California Air Resources Board approved waste toner disposal site in California.  We are now certified as a Computer Monitor Handler by the California Integrated Waste Management Board (CIWMB) and the California Department of Toxic Substances Control (DTSC).  We can safely dispose of your surplus monitors at a very low price.

 

 

A technician is only as good as his tools and reference materials.

 

We have an extensive collection of OEM user and repair manuals.

Our reference library consists of the latest software and manuals for the testing, repair and maintenance

of electronic systems and peripherals.

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Spectrum/West Programs

 

In order to facilitate specific training and repair programs, we have designated individual areas within our 4,000 square foot facility for each program.

  For computer rebuild, reconfigure and testing, we have set aside 2,000 square foot of area.   All of our students get hands-on training and job skills preparation.

Telephone repair and refurbishing, is situated in the rear of the building to facilitate large deliveries.  Copier repair and training are conducted in the main floor assembly area.

Our highly trained technician/teachers are manufacturer certified, and use the latest manufacture's  recommended test equipment to do the repair and train our students.

Spectrum/West teachers and students have maintained our service contracts with the State Of California, Raytheon, and the Air Resources Board.

There are many recyclers doing business here in Southern California, but none of them are as qualified as us to safely dispose of the hazardous byproducts of computer salvage. 

Our director, Dr. David De Mulle' was an OSHA consultant on waste toner disposal and Siderosilacosis (A form of black lung disease) for five years.

We are small. But we are dedicated to working with cities, municipalities and individuals to reduce the amount of non-degradable products going into our landfills. As part of our recycling program, we take ALL toner products for remanufacture or disposal.  This eliminates the need for multiple recycling efforts.  We have an on-line library at www.spectrumwest.com for those interested in obtaining further information on toner cartridge recycling, E-Waste and CRT Recycling.