NATIONAL Electronics Recycling Programs:
If you can’t find a recycling facility near you, there are an increasing number of national programs that offer assistance in the donation, resale, or recycling of old electronics, many of which give back to local communities and charitable organizations. In addition, some electronics manufacturers have take back recycling programs. * business friendly recycling programs |
INFORMATIONAL RESOURCES The Computer Take Back Campaign (www.computertakeback.com) is a campaign that promotes sustainable production and consumption of consumer electronics. The campaign offers facts about e-waste and information about recycling programs, as well as legislative action. Collective Good (www.collectivegood.com) is a resource for recycling of mobile devices. Donated mobile devices are refurbished and their profits are donated to a participating charitable organization of your choice. Collective Good recycles all donated non-functioning mobile phone batteries in an environmentally responsible manner through the relationship with the Rechargeable Battery Recycling Corporation (see below under "recycle"). Computers for Schools (www.pcsforschools.org) is a non-profit professional association of organizations involved in the management of refreshed (functional systems replaced by up-to-date equipment) computers and their placement into our national schools and educational institutions. *Computers for Youth (www.cfy.org) is a non-profit that partners with public schools in low income communities and offers families of 6th graders a home computer designed to be a family learning center with educational software. The organization accepts a minimum of 50 computers per donation. Freecycle (www.freecycle.org) is a grassroots movement of people who are giving (and getting) stuff for free in their own towns. As of October 2006, there are freecycle groups in 100 geographic areas across the State of Pennsylvania (Philadelphia being the largest with close to 8,600 members and Perry County being the smallest with just under 30 members and growing). Click here to find the Freecycle group closest to you. Goodwill Industries (www.goodwill.org) refurbish, recycle, or resell computer donations to earn money for job training and career programs that benefit over 600,000 people each year. Salvation Army (www.salvationarmyusa.com), which supports adult rehabilitation programs, accepts donations of working electronics at any Salvation Army thrift store drop-off center. For more information, call 1-800-95-TRUCK. To find a location nearest you, click here. StRUT (www.svstrut.org) The Students Recycling Used Technology program gives schools reusable equipment that students must evaluate, sort, repair, and refurbish so it can be distributed to and used by schools in need. With this holistic approach, StRUT provides valuable business and technical skills to thousands of students each year. The National Cristina Foundation (www.cristina.org) is a non-profit organization that matches donated computer technology to a partner organization in the same geographic region as the equipment. Amazon (www.amazon.com) now offers the ability to sell used items, such as electronics, online. Also, when browsing for purchase, look for items that are used in order to save money. Com-Cycle, Inc., (www.com-cycle.com) an affiliate company of AERC Recycling Solutions, offers computers and electronic components that are recovered, refurbished, and available for purchase. Com-cycle, Inc. recycles from products that are de-manufactured at ACER locations. Craigslist (www.craigslist.org) is another useful website on which you can donate or sell used electronics. You can also purchase or get for free used electronics on Craigslist. Craigslist has expanded to nine geographic areas in Pennsylvania. Choose your location. Dealtree.com (www.dealtree.com) provides service and software products supporting product trade-in, returns management, product testing, and disposal of over-stock, discontinued, or returned merchandise. Go to www.dealadeal.com to purchase products. Ebay (www.ebay.com) is a good option if you are looking to sell your used electronics or buy a used or re-manufactured electronic gift. Ebay has created the ReThink Initiative (http://rethink.ebay.com/), bringing together industry, government, and environmental organizations to address and offer solutions to the challenge of e-waste. *Recycled Goods (www.recycledgoods.com) manages the remarketing and recycling of pre-owned, off-lease, and surplus technology assets for companies. The Refurbdepot.com (www.refurbdeopt.com) resells brand name equipment that has been factory refurbished with up to 80% savings. Items come with original manufacturer warranty.
CTIA-The Wireless Association (www.recyclewirelessphones.com) and its member companies are committed to the goal of sustainable development and the environmentally sound management of end-of-life wireless products. The Wireless Association has also launched a national wireless recycling program that offers used mobile device collection, recycling, and refurbishment, as well as promotes consumer awareness about electronics recycling. Electronics Recycling (www.electronicsrecycling.org) offers recycling and reuse information representing all industry work groups (e.g., collection, de-manufacturing, refurbishment/resell, research, recycling). It also provides guidance to households and organizations for promoting recycling and reuse efforts. *Green Disk (http://www.greendisk.com/gdsite/Default.aspx ) helps individuals and organizations recycle obsolete technology. Services include specialized recycling programs for all types of nanotechnology and secure, audited data destruction. This includes CDs, DVDs, videotapes, cell phones, ink cartridges, pages, PDAs, and obsolete computers. The consumer pays for shipping of materials. Green Disk offers “Technotrash Cans” for disposal and shipment. Green Disk asserts that all materials are salvaged or recycled and no hazardous materials are shipped overseas. *Ink Recyclers.com (www.inkrecyclers.com) has an ink cartridge recycling program that provides you with a recycling kit to mail in empty ink cartridges for monetary compensation. Great for schools, organizations, businesses, or indivduals recycling 10-20 cartridges at a time. National Recycling Coalition’s Electronics Recycling Initiative (http://www.nrc-recycle.org/resources/electronics/index.htm) functions as a database for local recycling programs and a resource promoting the recovery, reuse, and recycling of obsolete electronic equipment. *Waste Management eScrapTracker (www.wmescraptracker.com) allows you to send up to 600 pounds of electronics equipment. Pre-ordered boxes are a base rate plus an additional charge for return shipping. |
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