Back in 2005, the United States dumped between 1.5 and 1.9 million tons of used electronics into landfills. That is a staggering amount of e-waste. According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), only about 345,000 to 379,000 tons of that total were actually recycled. Most of it just sat there.
It doesn’t have to be that way. You don’t need a specialized industrial facility to get rid of your old gadgets. Opportunities are everywhere. Most big-box retailers where you originally bought your tech now have recycling initiatives. Some are extensive. Here is how to use them.
Apple
Apple makes it surprisingly easy to offload old gear. Their iPod and cell phone recycling program is free. You fill out an online form and get a prepaid mailing label. Or you can request a free mailer.
If you live in the U.S. and buy a new Mac or monitor, the deal gets better. Apple will recycle your old computers, displays, and peripherals for free. This includes cables, mice, keyboards, speakers, printers, scanners, and hard drives. Buy online or in-store. They send a shipping code via email. Pack up the old stuff. Drop it at any FedEx location.
Best Buy
Best Buy’s program covers everything from TVs to refrigerators. It is one of the most comprehensive options available. You can drop off old cellphones, rechargeable batteries, and printer cartridges at kiosks in all U.S. stores for no cost.
Buy a new cellphone at Best Buy? You get a free, postage-paid envelope to mail your old one to ReCellular. They handle the reuse and recycling.
If your device still works, trade it in. Use the online trade-in estimator. Enter the details and condition. Get an instant quote. Once the gadget arrives at their center about a week later, you receive a Best Buy gift card.
Larger items have different rules. Buy a large appliance or TV and Best Buy will deliver it. They will also haul away your existing unit. They evaluate it for recycling or reuse. The company also grants $500 to $1,500 per event to nonprofits, cities, and counties to boost local recycling opportunities.
Circuit City
Circuit City uses EZtradein.com for its trade-in program. It works similarly to Best Buy. You enter details into their calculator. Get a quote. Send the device. Receive a Circuit City gift card once it arrives at their facility.
They also partner with the Rechargeable Battery Recycling Corporation (RBRC) Call2Recycle program. This handles rechargeable batteries and old cell phones. Online customers can request collection bags to make the process easier.
There is a catch. Circuit City will not take boxy CRT computer monitors. The weight is too much for them.
Office Depot
Office Depot offers perhaps the simplest recycling program of the major retailers. They sell boxes in three sizes. Small is $5. Medium is $10. Large is $15.
Load the boxes with tech gadgets. Drop them at any Office Depot store. The devices go to a recycling plant. They are separated, sorted, and recycled.
They also provide free in-store recycling for cell phones, rechargeable batteries, and ink and toner cartridges. Office Depot is also opening its first green store in Austin, Texas. It will feature energy-efficient lighting, water fixtures, and recycled building materials.
Staples
Staples accepts equipment regardless of brand or where it was purchased. This covers desktops, laptops, printers, and peripherals like keyboards, mice, and speakers. Large equipment costs $10 each. Take it to a customer-service desk. Staples sends it to a recycler who disassembles it into component parts.
For personal electronics like cellphones, PDAs, pagers, digital cameras, chargers, and batteries, Staples partners with RBRC’s Call2Recycle. They also provide prepaid shipping materials for old printer cartridges.
Staples is a member of the EPA’s WasteWise program. This helps companies implement solid and industrial waste reduction measures.
The Reality of E-Waste
None of these programs are perfect solutions. E-waste recycling is often dangerous for the workers who physically take apart the electronics. It can be very dangerous to the planet as well.
But between these five retailers, you have the opportunity to ensure that your old electronics do not end up in a landfill. That is a start.
Frequently Answered Questions
Can I recycle ink cartridges at Walgreens?
Yes, you can recycle ink cartridges at Walgreens.
Can I put toner cartridges in the recycle bin?
Yes, you can recycle empty toner cartridges.
Can I recycle ink cartridges at Walmart?
Yes, you can recycle ink and toner cartridges at all Walmart stores.
