Retailers
Some electronics retailers, such as Best
Buy and Staples, offer in-store drop-off
programs for electronics of all kinds, from
computers to fax machines. Best Buy offers
recycling kiosks for items such as ink and
toner cartridges, rechargeable batteries,
cords, and cables, and will accept most
electronics gear at the customer service
counter. You can schedule in-home pickup
of a TV for a fee; if you're having a new set
delivered, haul-away of the old one is free.
Staples offers $2 in Staples Rewards for
empty ink and toner cartridges. Staples will
also recycle other technology devices you
bring in at no cost. Accepted items are listed
on Staples' website.
Check other retailers' websites for details of
their programs.
Public programs
Nonprofit organizations and local
governments also offer electronics recycling
options. Call2Recycle has more than 225
drop-off locations for rechargeable batteries
and cell phones in the King County area. For
a location in your specific area, enter your
ZIP code at Call2Recycle.org.
Some communities sponsor collection days
for TVs and other electronics. To find out
if one is scheduled in your area, click on
the map at TIA E-cycling Central by the
Telecommunications Industry Association.
Recycler oversight
Despite good intentions, much of this
nation's e-waste is exported to developing
countries, where processing is done under
unsafe conditions and endangers workers
and nearby communities. Some progress
has been made to end this practice through
certification programs. One such program is
e-Stewards.
According to e-Stewards, recyclers who
meet their certification requirements don't
export to developing nations. They follow
safe practices for the handling of electronic
waste, and adhere to other standards. Many
will also reuse and refurbish equipment. To
find a recycler in your area, check the map
and sort by state at e-Stewards' website.
Tip
Manufacturers
Most manufacturers now provide their
own nationwide take-back programs for
electronics in addition to sponsoring local
events. But these programs vary widely in
their quality and effectiveness.
Before recycling a phone, make sure
your service has been deactivated
and erase all personal information.
The Federal Trade Commission
recommends that you wipe your
device by using the phone's factory
reset or hard reset. Remove or erase
SIM and SD cards. See the FTC's
Disposing of Your Mobile Device
website for more information.
Before recycling a computer, erase
all data from your hard drive.
Try Eraser for Windows-based
computers; Apple computers have
an erase feature built in.
