Best Buy launches free recycling pilot project
Tue Jun 3, 2008 11:45AM EDT
See Comments (35)
I beat up on Best Buy a lot in this blog, but finally it looks like the company is doing something so right that even I can find nothing to complain about. To wit: In 117 stores, effective immediately, the company is accepting electronics gear for recycling at no charge.
The stores are located in Baltimore, San Francisco, and Minnesota state.
The rules are as follows: You can bring two items per day for recycling. It doesn't matter where you got the equipment originally. Pretty much all consumer electronics are included. TVs larger than 32 inches are excluded (as are console TVs, yikes!). No appliances like dishwashers, air conditioners, or microwaves are accepted either. But pretty much everything else is fair game: That old PC that's filled with dust bunnies. Your PlayStation 1. Your old Nextel phone.
How will the gear be recycled? I asked Best Buy's Kelly Groehler and here's her response: "We're working with Electronic Recyclers International (ERI), E-Structors, and Materials Processing Corporation (MPC), which will take the items we collect through this test and refurbish, reuse or recycle their components. Their operations are here in the U.S. Worth noting, we contractually prohibit all of our e-waste recycling partners from dumping practices."
If the program proves popular (which presumably means, if sales increase in stores where where the recycling program is offered), Best Buy may expand the program across the country.
The program was inspired by a proposal from As You Sow, a "social responsibility group" active in the e-waste segment. The group hopes that other large retailers will be spurred to similar action if Best Buy's program is a hit.
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27 Posted by kjmilow on Thu Sep 3, 2009 4:52PM EDT Report Abuse
Consider this: All packaging and products designed to outdate carry a disposal cost that is borne by the purchaser, society and the planet. Couldn't the cost at the back end be charged to the producer to offset disposal costs and would encourage product design that minimizes trash out at the end of product life or just getting it out of the package. This could apply to all products not just the high tech items.
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28 Posted by beasleypenelope on Thu Sep 3, 2009 3:04PM EDT Report Abuse
I read about this on the internet the other day. Finally, e-recycling, sort of made easy. It's been a long time coming. Good for Best Buy in stepping up to the plate.
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29 Posted by mallowsc on Thu Sep 3, 2009 7:04PM EDT Report Abuse
Very nice to hear. I hope this program spreads to the southern states. I have plenty of old electronics that can be recycled that would be worth taking to Best Buy.
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30 Posted by jtcgoped on Thu Sep 3, 2009 4:43PM EDT Report Abuse
i work at staples (other wise known as quill in some parts of the nation) we take old computers, batteries, printers, scanners and lts of other things. but im in california.
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31 Posted by nutroxx on Thu Sep 3, 2009 7:42PM EDT Report Abuse
THIS PROGRAM IS GREAT! I HOPE IT FINDS ITS WAY TO WESTERN NORTH CAROLINA AS I HAVE THREE BIG MONITORS THAT WORK, BUT NOT WELL AND WHO KNOWS, I MAY BUY THEM BACK AFTER FIXING! ITS GREAT!
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32 Posted by wefred on Thu Sep 3, 2009 10:42PM EDT Report Abuse
When we buy a new piece of equipment don't we pay a disposal fee? Where does that money go? Does it go to companies like Best Buy who take in and recycle the materials?? Is it possibly not quite as altruistic as it appears?
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33 Posted by tillisacampbell on Thu Sep 3, 2009 10:10PM EDT Report Abuse
i heard that they subcontract the work out to women prisons for cheap labor. some get real sick from the chemicals a coule has even died. they do not give them gloves or mask. this is the second time i;ve tried posting this.
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34 Posted by leafy_aquanotics on Thu Sep 3, 2009 4:58PM EDT Report Abuse
I think it's a great idea. As for those who think its better to do the hand me down thing I have one question. Why did you want to get rid of it in the first place? A really old computer isn't going to help anyone, nor is a PS1. You have to buy things for them for either to work, then it becomes a game of paticence and upkeep. Why on earth would you think that your trash would be welcomed? If you want to do some good send those low income people some books or a gas card. Seriously if a person needs a computer they can visit thier local library, if nothing else it's always cooler there in the summer.
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35 Posted by wearegodz on Thu Sep 3, 2009 10:42PM EDT Report Abuse
I JUST HOPE THE USED ELECTRONICS OR RECYCLEABLES DON'T END UP BACK ON THE SHELVES... SECOND RECYCLING HUH...MAKE SURE IT DOESNT LEAVE THE COUNTRY AND END UP IN A THIRD WORLD COUNTRYS' LANDFILL OR GUTTER OR EVEN OUT ON THE CURB...
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26 Posted by billjacobus1 on Thu Sep 3, 2009 3:08PM EDT Report Abuse
I doubt any recyclers have the time access old data on hard drives, memory devices etc. But if it makes you feel better, slam your hard drive on the ground and it will ----- ter the disk platters inside of the drive case. In most cases, your donated items are secured until their destruction. But it doesn't hurt to wipe them before sending them off to be recycled.