Got Questions? We’ve Got Answers.
Everything you need to know about secure data destruction, e-waste recycling, and IT asset disposition in Toronto and the GTA.
Still can’t find what you’re looking for? Contact us directly — we respond within 2 hours.
🚚 1. Pickup & Logistics
Q: Is pickup really free?
A: Yes! Pickup is 100% free when you:
- Book our $15 Hard Drive Destruction service (any quantity), OR
- Have 3 or more general e-waste items for recycling
If you only have 1–2 small general e-waste items (and no hard drives), a small $10–$15 trip fee may apply to cover fuel and logistics. We’ll always confirm pricing before you book.
Q: What areas do you serve?
A: We proudly serve the entire Greater Toronto Area (GTA), including:
- Toronto: Downtown, Etobicoke, Scarborough, North York, York, East York
- Peel Region: Mississauga, Brampton, Caledon
- York Region: Vaughan, Markham, Richmond Hill, Newmarket
- Durham Region: Pickering, Ajax, Whitby, Oshawa
- Halton Region: Burlington, Oakville, Milton
If you’re in the 416, 647, or 905 area codes, we likely serve you. Contact us to confirm your address.
Q: Do I need to be home when you arrive?
A: Not necessarily! We offer flexible pickup options:
- Contactless Porch Pickup: Leave items at your front door, garage, or building entrance. Text us a photo when ready.
- Condo Lobby/Concierge: Provide buzzer code and floor number; we coordinate with building staff.
- In-Person Handoff: Meet our technician directly if you prefer.
Just specify your preference when booking, and we’ll adapt to your schedule.
Q: How do I prepare my items for pickup?
A: Simple steps for a smooth pickup:
- Gather items in one accessible location (porch, lobby, office reception).
- Remove standard batteries (AA, AAA, laptop, phone batteries) and place them in a separate plastic bag — this is required by Toronto bylaws.
- Back up any data you want to keep (optional but recommended).
- Note access instructions: buzzer codes, parking details, or special building procedures.
For hard drives: no preparation needed — we handle destruction securely.
Q: How long does pickup take?
A: Most residential pickups take 10–20 minutes from arrival to departure. Business/ITAD collections may take longer depending on volume — we’ll provide a time estimate when confirming your booking.
Q: What if I need to reschedule or cancel?
A: No problem! You can:
- Reschedule or cancel free of charge up to 24 hours before your appointment via your booking confirmation email or by calling us.
- Late changes (within 24 hours) may incur a $25 rescheduling fee to cover route planning.
- No-shows without notice may result in a $50 fee.
We understand plans change — just let us know as soon as possible.
🔐 2. Data Security & Hard Drive Destruction
Q: How do I know my data is actually destroyed?
A: We don’t “delete” or “wipe” — we physically shred your storage media into 2–5mm particles using industrial equipment. This makes data recovery mathematically impossible. Every order includes:
- A digital Certificate of Destruction (PDF) emailed within 24 hours
- Chain-of-custody documentation from pickup to shredding
- Unique certificate ID for audit verification
You can also request photo/video proof of your specific drive being shredded.
Q: Do you accept SSDs, external drives, and other media?
A: Yes! Our $15 flat rate covers all standard data-bearing devices:
- 3.5″ desktop HDDs • 2.5″ laptop HDDs/SSDs • NVMe/M.2 drives
- External USB drives • RAID arrays • Server/enterprise storage
- USB thumb drives • Memory cards (SD, microSD) • Tape drives
If you’re unsure, email us a photo at inquiry@arrecycle.com — we’ll confirm instantly.
Q: Do I need to wipe my drive before you take it?
A: No. Because we use physical destruction, software wiping isn’t necessary. However, if your drive is still functional and you prefer to factory-reset it for your own peace of mind beforehand, you’re welcome to do so.
Q: Is my personal information safe during pickup and transport?
A: Absolutely. We are fully PIPEDA-compliant and follow strict security protocols:
- Technicians use tamper-evident bags sealed at pickup
- All items are logged with time-stamped chain-of-custody records
- Transport vehicles are locked and GPS-tracked
- Facility access is restricted to authorized personnel only
- Shredding occurs in a secure, monitored environment
Q: Can I watch my hard drive get destroyed?
A: For residential pickups, destruction occurs at our secure Toronto facility to keep routes efficient. However:
- We can provide photo/video proof of your specific drive being shredded upon request
- For business clients with 25+ drives, we offer on-site mobile shredding where you can witness destruction in real-time
Q: What if my drive is encrypted (BitLocker, FileVault, etc.)?
A: Encryption adds a layer of security, but we still recommend physical destruction. Encrypted drives are shredded using the same certified process — your certificate confirms destruction regardless of encryption status.
♻️ 3. E-Waste & Environmental Impact
Q: What electronics do you accept?
A: We accept almost anything with a plug, battery, or circuit board:
✅ Computing: Laptops, desktops, tablets, servers, monitors
✅ Mobile: Smartphones, feature phones, e-readers, smartwatches
✅ Peripherals: Printers, scanners, keyboards, mice, webcams, routers
✅ Audio/Video: TVs, speakers, gaming consoles, cameras, drones
✅ Accessories: Cables, chargers, power banks, docking stations
✅ Storage: External hard drives, USB drives, memory cards
Q: What items do you NOT accept?
A: To comply with Ontario environmental regulations, we cannot accept the following:
❌ Large appliances (fridges, stoves, washers, dryers, microwaves)
❌ Air conditioners, dehumidifiers, or HVAC equipment
❌ Power tools (drills, saws, sanders)
❌ Hazardous materials: paint, chemicals, motor oil, solvents
❌ Light bulbs, fluorescent tubes, or ballasts
❌ General household trash or Blue Bin recyclables (paper, clean plastics, cans)
❌ Items contaminated with biohazards or dangerous substances
Need to dispose of these? We can point you to Toronto’s correct disposal streams — just ask!
Q: What happens to my devices after pickup?
A: We follow a strict Zero Landfill Policy:
- Assessment: Each device is evaluated for functionality and data risk.
- Data Handling: Data-bearing devices are securely wiped or physically destroyed per your preference.
- Refurbishment: Working devices are donated to local Toronto schools, charities, or community tech programs (with your consent).
- Recycling: Non-working devices are dismantled. Plastics, glass, and precious metals (gold, copper, aluminum) are separated and sent to EPRA-certified downstream partners for recovery and reuse.
- Hazardous Components: Batteries, circuit boards, and toxic materials are safely neutralized per provincial regulations.
Q: Do you export e-waste overseas?
A: Never. 100% of collected e-waste is processed within Ontario through EPRA-approved facilities. We maintain full audit trails and do not export unprocessed electronics to developing countries.
Q: How do you measure environmental impact?
A: After each pickup, you can receive an Eco-Impact Summary showing:
- Kilograms of e-waste diverted from landfill
- Estimated CO₂ emissions saved vs. virgin material extraction
- Materials recovered (e.g., “X grams of gold, Y kg of copper”)
- Number of devices refurbished for reuse
🏢 4. Business & IT Asset Disposition (ITAD)
Q: Do you offer services for offices and businesses?
A: Yes! Our ITAD service is designed specifically for Toronto businesses, clinics, schools, and professional firms. We handle:
- Bulk pickups (10+ devices)
- Serialized asset tracking & barcode logging
- Custom scheduling (after-hours, weekends, holidays)
- Compliance documentation for audits
Q: Will you provide documentation for our company’s compliance audit?
A: Absolutely. We provide:
- Serialized Certificates of Destruction (per device or batch)
- Chain-of-custody logs with timestamps and handler signatures
- Asset Disposition Reports detailing: device count, disposition method (destroyed/refurbished/recycled), serial numbers, and environmental metrics
- ESG-ready sustainability reports for corporate reporting
All documentation aligns with PIPEDA, PHIPA (healthcare), NIST 800-88, and Ontario’s Resource Recovery & Circular Economy Act.
Q: Can you pick up after hours or on weekends?
A: Yes. We offer flexible scheduling for business clients, including:
- Early morning (6–9 AM)
- Evening (5–9 PM)
- Weekend slots (Saturday 9 AM–2 PM)
- Holiday arrangements (by request)
Just specify your preferred window when booking.
Q: We have 500+ devices. Do you offer custom pricing?
A: Yes! For large-scale office closures, enterprise IT refreshes, or ongoing contracts, we offer:
- Heavily discounted volume pricing
- Dedicated account manager
- On-site staging bins & pre-pickup coordination
- Custom reporting formats & API integration with your ITAM system
- Quarterly or annual service agreements
Contact our Business Team for a tailored proposal.
Q: Can we get resale value for working equipment?
A: Absolutely. We assess market value and can:
- Pay you for recoverable assets (via e-transfer or check)
- Credit your account toward future AR Recycle services
- Donate on your behalf and provide charitable donation receipts for tax purposes
You choose the option that best fits your organization’s goals.
💰 5. Pricing & Payment
Q: How much does hard drive destruction cost?
A: Transparent, flat-rate pricing:
- 1 drive: $15 (includes free pickup + digital certificate)
- 2–5 drives: $12/drive (save 20%)
- 6–10 drives: $10/drive (save 33%)
- 11+ drives: Custom quote — contact us for business pricing
All prices include pickup, destruction, certification, and recycling. No hidden fees.
Q: Is electronics recycling really free?
A: Yes — free pickup for 3+ items. If you only have 1–2 small general e-waste items (and no hard drives), a small $10–$15 trip fee may apply. Bulky items (TVs >40″, CRT monitors) incur a $20/item handling fee due to specialized processing.
Q: What payment methods do you accept?
A: We accept:
- Cash (for in-person handoffs)
- Net-30 invoicing for pre-approved business accounts
Payment is due at time of service unless otherwise arranged.
Q: Are there any hidden fees?
A: Never. Our pricing is upfront and transparent. The only potential additional costs are:
- Travel fees for locations outside our standard GTA service area (quoted in advance)
- Special handling fees for hazardous or non-standard items (disclosed before booking)
- Printed certificate fee ($5) — digital is free
We’ll always confirm the total price before you confirm your booking.
📅 6. Booking & Account Management
Q: How do I schedule a pickup?
A: Three easy ways:
- Online: Visit arrecycle.com/schedule-pickup, select your service, choose a time slot, and enter your details.
- Phone: Call or text us at (647) 782-3424.
- Email: Send your request to inquiry@arrecycle.com with item details and preferred timing.
Most Toronto addresses receive same-week pickup availability.
Q: Can I book for someone else (e.g., a family member or client)?
A: Yes. When booking, simply provide:
- The pickup address and access instructions
- The contact person’s name and phone number (who will be on-site)
- Your billing contact information if different
We’ll coordinate directly with the on-site contact for smooth pickup.
Q: How will I know my booking is confirmed?
A: Immediately after booking, you’ll receive:
- An email confirmation with your booking reference, service details, and scheduled window
Q: What if I have a question after booking?
A: Reply directly to your confirmation email, text us at (647) 782-3424, or use the WhatsApp chat button on our site. We monitor all channels during business hours and respond within 2 hours.
Q: Do you offer recurring pickups for businesses?
A: Yes! We offer quarterly, bi-annual, or annual ITAD service contracts for businesses with ongoing e-waste needs. Benefits include:
- Priority scheduling
- Discounted volume pricing
- Dedicated account manager
- Consolidated reporting
Contact our business team to discuss a custom plan.