Certified utility meter recycling and disposal services for electric utilities, gas companies, and industrial facilities. Eco-friendly meter removal and recycling nationwide. Contact us today.
Cinco Technologies provides certified utility meter recycling and disposal services for electric utilities, gas companies, water municipalities, and industrial facilities across North America. As infrastructure modernization accelerates the replacement of analog meters with smart meters, proper disposal of obsolete metering equipment has become a critical environmental and operational challenge.
Our comprehensive meter recycling program handles electric meters, gas meters, water meters, and AMI (Advanced Metering Infrastructure) equipment through EPA-compliant processes that maximize material recovery while eliminating landfill disposal. Whether you're managing a mass meter upgrade program or disposing of accumulated warehouse inventory, our scalable solutions accommodate projects of any size.
Our facility is equipped to process the full spectrum of metering equipment found in utility operations:
Electric Meters: We recycle both analog electromechanical meters and digital smart meters used for residential, commercial, and industrial electricity monitoring. This includes single-phase and three-phase meters, demand meters, and net metering equipment.
Gas Meters: Our services cover diaphragm meters, rotary meters, and turbine meters used in natural gas distribution networks. We safely process meters containing residual gas and handle the specialized components found in industrial gas metering systems.
Water Meters: We accept mechanical water meters, ultrasonic meters, and electromagnetic flow meters from municipal water systems and industrial facilities. Our process recovers brass, bronze, stainless steel, and electronic components commonly found in modern water metering infrastructure.
AMI and Smart Metering Equipment: As utilities transition to Advanced Metering Infrastructure, we provide secure recycling for smart meters, communication modules, and network equipment. Our data destruction protocols ensure customer information remains protected throughout the recycling process.
Cinco Technologies employs industry-leading methods to maximize material recovery and ensure environmental compliance:
Collection and Transportation: We provide nationwide logistics support with certified transportation for utility meter disposal. Our team coordinates pickup scheduling, containerization, and DOT-compliant shipping for electric meter recycling, gas meter disposal, and water meter recycling projects of any scale.
Secure Data Destruction: Many modern utility meters contain customer usage data and proprietary utility information. We perform comprehensive data sanitization and provide Certificates of Destruction documenting secure processing of all electronic components.
Material Separation and Recovery: Our specialized processing equipment separates utility meters into individual material streams. We recover copper wiring, brass components, steel housings, aluminum parts, and circuit boards for downstream refining. Glass meter faces and plastic components are processed through appropriate recycling channels.
Environmental Compliance: All utility meter recycling operations are conducted in accordance with EPA regulations, state environmental requirements, and industry best practices. We maintain comprehensive records and provide documentation supporting your environmental reporting requirements.
Material Recovery Rate: Our advanced processing methods achieve up to 98% material recovery from obsolete utility metering equipment, diverting valuable resources from landfills and supporting circular economy principles.
Our utility meter disposal services support diverse sectors managing metering infrastructure:
Electric Utilities and Cooperatives: Investor-owned utilities, municipal electric systems, and rural electric cooperatives rely on our services for AMI transition programs, meter upgrade projects, and ongoing disposal of damaged or obsolete electric meters.
Natural Gas Distribution Companies: Gas utilities utilize our specialized capabilities for safe disposal of gas meters while recovering valuable metals from meter components.
Water and Wastewater Utilities: Municipal water departments and private water companies trust our processes for recycling water meters and flow measurement equipment.
Utility Service Contractors: Meter installation companies, meter reading services, and utility maintenance contractors partner with us for efficient disposal solutions that support their field operations.
Property Management and Real Estate: Large commercial property owners, apartment complexes, and industrial facilities generate significant quantities of meters during building upgrades and renovations.
Meter Manufacturers and Testing Facilities: Equipment manufacturers and meter calibration facilities utilize our services for disposal of defective units, test equipment, and end-of-life inventory.
Environmental Stewardship: Utility meters contain valuable recyclable materials including copper, brass, steel, aluminum, and electronic components. Professional recycling prevents these resources from entering landfills while reducing the environmental impact of raw material extraction.
Regulatory Compliance: Our certified processes ensure your organization meets federal and state regulations governing electronic waste disposal and universal waste handling. We provide comprehensive documentation supporting environmental audits and sustainability reporting.
Liability Protection: Improper disposal of utility meters can create legal and financial risks. Our certified recycling services eliminate concerns about equipment ending up in unauthorized locations or non-compliant disposal facilities.
Data Security: Many utility meters contain customer usage data, billing information, and proprietary utility data. Our secure processing protocols protect sensitive information and prevent data breaches associated with improper disposal.
Operational Efficiency: Warehousing obsolete meters consumes valuable space and creates safety hazards. Our pickup services and flexible scheduling eliminate storage costs while freeing space for productive operations.
Resource Recovery Value: The copper, brass, and precious metals contained in utility meters represent significant value. Our efficient separation processes maximize recovery rates to support your sustainability and cost management objectives.
ESG and Sustainability Goals: Professional meter recycling supports corporate Environmental, Social, and Governance initiatives. We provide detailed recycling metrics and material recovery data for sustainability reporting and stakeholder communications.
To optimize the recycling process and maximize value recovery, consider these preparation guidelines:
Meter Separation: Segregating digital smart meters from analog mechanical meters streamlines processing. Meters with electronic components typically have different handling requirements than purely mechanical units.
Glass Cover Removal: Glass meter faces on analog meters add significant weight without recyclable value. Removing glass covers before shipment reduces transportation costs and improves processing efficiency, though this is optional based on your operational capabilities.
Containerization: Palletized gaylord boxes provide the most efficient packaging method for bulk meter disposal. This approach protects equipment during transportation while maximizing trailer capacity and minimizing handling labor.
Documentation: Maintaining records of meter serial numbers, types, and quantities supports audit trails and helps verify proper disposal through our certificate of recycling documentation.
Cinco Technologies operates R2-certified facilities equipped to handle utility meter recycling projects throughout the United States. Our logistics network provides convenient pickup scheduling from utility facilities, contractor warehouses, and temporary storage locations nationwide.
We work with utilities planning multi-year AMI deployment programs as well as organizations managing smaller-scale meter replacements. Our flexible processing capacity accommodates both regular scheduled pickups and one-time bulk disposal projects.
Our utility meter recycling operations maintain rigorous environmental and safety standards:
R2 (Responsible Recycling) Certification: Our processing facility meets the electronics recycling industry's most stringent standards for environmental protection, worker safety, and downstream material tracking.
EPA Universal Waste Handler: We maintain proper registration and comply with federal requirements for processing equipment that may contain mercury switches and other regulated components.
DOT Compliance: All transportation activities follow Department of Transportation regulations for safe shipment of utility equipment and electronic waste materials.
Data Destruction Standards: Our data sanitization procedures align with NIST guidelines for secure destruction of data-bearing devices, protecting customer privacy and utility information.
The widespread deployment of Advanced Metering Infrastructure has created unprecedented volumes of obsolete analog meters requiring proper disposal. Cinco Technologies provides specialized support for AMI transition programs:
Volume Processing Capacity: Our facility can accommodate large-scale meter replacement programs removing thousands of units monthly from service territories.
Flexible Scheduling: We coordinate pickup timing to align with meter installation schedules, preventing warehouse overflow during intensive deployment periods.
Comprehensive Reporting: Detailed processing reports document quantities, material recovery rates, and environmental impact metrics supporting your program tracking requirements.
Secure Chain of Custody: From field removal through final processing, we maintain documented control of equipment to address inventory management and audit requirements.
What types of utility meters can be recycled?
We recycle all types of electric meters (analog and smart), gas meters (diaphragm, rotary, and turbine), water meters (mechanical and electronic), and AMI smart metering equipment. Our processes handle both residential and industrial metering devices.
How do you ensure data security for smart meters?
All meters containing electronic components undergo secure data destruction following NIST guidelines. We provide Certificates of Destruction documenting the secure processing of data-bearing devices and protecting customer privacy.
Can you handle meters containing mercury switches?
Yes, our facility is registered as an EPA Universal Waste Handler and follows proper protocols for meters containing mercury switches and other regulated components. All mercury-containing materials are processed through certified recovery channels.
What documentation do you provide after recycling?
We provide Certificates of Recycling documenting quantities processed, material recovery rates, and confirmation of environmentally compliant disposal. Additional documentation is available to support environmental audits and sustainability reporting.
Do you offer pickup services?
Yes, we provide nationwide logistics support with DOT-compliant transportation. Our team coordinates pickup scheduling, containerization requirements, and shipping arrangements for projects of any size.
How should meters be packaged for transport?
Palletized gaylord boxes provide optimal packaging for bulk meter shipments. We can provide packaging materials and specific loading instructions based on your project requirements.
What happens to the materials recovered from utility meters?
Separated materials including copper, brass, steel, aluminum, and circuit boards are sent to certified downstream processors for refining and reintroduction into manufacturing supply chains. We maintain complete tracking of all material flows.
How long does the recycling process take?
Processing timelines depend on project volume and scheduling. We can accommodate urgent disposal needs and work with utilities to establish regular pickup schedules aligned with ongoing meter replacement programs.
Whether you're managing a comprehensive smart meter deployment program or need to dispose of accumulated warehouse inventory, Cinco Technologies provides compliant, efficient utility meter recycling services backed by certified processes and proven expertise.
Our team understands the unique operational challenges facing utilities during infrastructure modernization. We deliver flexible solutions that minimize disruption while maximizing environmental benefits and supporting your sustainability objectives.
Contact us today to discuss your utility meter disposal requirements and receive a customized quote for your electric meter recycling, gas meter disposal, or water meter recycling project.
Feel assured collaborating with a certified professional.
Let's build a sustainable future together – get in touch for a consultation and take the first step towards responsible waste management.
