Recycling Directory

<body topmargin=0 leftmargin=0 marginheight=0 marginwidth=0> <table cellpadding=0 cellspacing=0 border=0><tr> <td valign="top" colspan=2 height=90 BGCOLOR="#669966" TEXT="#080000" background="a6001573.jpg"> <div> <FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#FFFFFF" FACE="Arial" ><B>GoogleGrease Environmental News</B></FONT>     |     <A HREF="index.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="GoogleGrease Environmental News">home</A></div> <DIV ALIGN="LEFT"></DIV> <div> <A HREF="environmental_news.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Environmental News">Environmental News</A>   |   <B>Recycling Directory</B>   |   <A HREF="recycled_buyers_directory.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Recycled Buyers Directory">Recycled Buyers Directory</A>   |   <A HREF="economic_development.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Economic Development News">Economic Development News</A>   |   <A HREF="hazardous_waste.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Hazardous Waste Service">Hazardous Waste Service</A>   |   <A HREF="contact.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Contact">Contact</A></div> <div> <I><B>Recycling Directory</B></I></div> <div> </div> </td> </tr><tr> <td valign="top" width=210 BGCOLOR="#FFFFFF" TEXT="#080000" background="a5fd2013.jpg"> <div> <A HREF="http://www.radiozx.com/" TARGET="_top" TITLE="http://www.radiozx.com/"><IMG SRC="a8a59290.gif" border=0 width="89" height="41" ALT="radiozx logo" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></A></div> <bR> </td> <td valign="top" height=390 width="100%" BGCOLOR="#EEEEEE" TEXT="#080000"> <div> Looking for an organization that collects specific types of electronic equipment for reuse or recycling?</div> <div> This directory enables you to search for such opportunities.</div> <div> You should contact any of the listed organizations to determine the details of their services and any potential charges before loading up your vehicle.</div> <bR> <DIV ALIGN="LEFT"></DIV> <div> Recycling mysteries solved!</div> <div> <I><B>Feb 5, 2009</B></I></div> <div> By Lori Bongiorno    Culled from <A HREF="http://www.Yahoo.com/" TARGET="_top" TITLE="http://www.Yahoo.com/">Yahoo.com</A></div> <div> Wondering what to do with your stash of old batteries or the cans of unneeded paint taking up space in your garage? You know you shouldn't throw them out, but it really is time to get rid of them.</div> <div> Resist the temptation to toss them in the trash anyway.</div> <div> <I><B>The reason:</B></I></div> <div> They (and everything on the list below) contain toxic chemicals capable of contaminating the environment if not disposed of properly.</div> <div> Unlike items that are picked up at the curb, you'll have to make a special effort to unload these ones responsibly.</div> <div> But, with a little advance planning and some good info, you'll see that it's really quite simple to dispose of these seemingly mysterious items.</div> <bR> <div> <I><B>Here's how:</B></I></div> <div> <B>Batteries</B></div> <div> Recycling <FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#0000FF" FACE="Arial" ><A HREF="http://earth911.com/hazardous/rechargeable-batteries/" TARGET="_top" TITLE="http://earth911.com/hazardous/rechargeab">rechargeable batteries</A></FONT> is fairly easy.</div> <div> <A HREF="http://www6.homedepot.com/ecooptions/" TARGET="_top" TITLE="http://www6.homedepot.com/ecooptions/">Home Depot</A><FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial" >, </FONT><A HREF="http://www.staples.com/sbd/cre/marketing/ecoeasy/index2.html" TARGET="_top" TITLE="http://www.staples.com/sbd/cre/marketing">Staples</A><FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial" >, </FONT><A HREF="http://www.radioshack.com/storeLocator3/index.jsp?clickid=rsk_header_storeLocator" TARGET="_top" TITLE="http://www.radioshack.com/storeLocator3/">Radio Shack</A><FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial" >, </FONT><A HREF="http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage.jsp?id=pcmcat149900050025&type=category" TARGET="_top" TITLE="http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage.jsp?">Best Buy</A><FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial" >, and other retailers take them back free of charge.</FONT></div> <div> There are fewer options for single-use batteries, but look for bins at your local <FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#0000FF" FACE="Arial" ><A HREF="http://www.wholefoodsmarket.com/stores/index.php" TARGET="_top" TITLE="http://www.wholefoodsmarket.com/stores/i">Whole Foods Market</A></FONT>, <FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#0000FF" FACE="Arial" ><A HREF="http://www.ikea.com/ms/en_US/about_ikea/social_environmental/environment.html" TARGET="_top" TITLE="http://www.ikea.com/ms/en_US/about_ikea/">Ikea</A></FONT>, or library. Otherwise, your best bet is the local household <FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#0000FF" FACE="Arial" ><A HREF="http://earth911.com/hazardous/" TARGET="_top" TITLE="http://earth911.com/hazardous/">hazardous</A></FONT> waste drop-off site.</div> <div> Where is it and what are your closest drop-off options?</div> <div> Search <FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#0000FF" FACE="Arial" ><A HREF="http://earth911.com/hazardous/single-use-batteries/" TARGET="_top" TITLE="http://earth911.com/hazardous/single-use">here for answers</A></FONT>.</div> <bR> <div> <B>CFLs</B></div> <div> These energy-efficient bulbs are becoming easier to get rid of.</div> <div> Just drop old bulbs off at any <FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#0000FF" FACE="Arial" ><A HREF="http://www.homedepot.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/StoreFinderView?langId=-1&storeId=10051&catalogId=10053&URL=http%3A//www6.homedepot.com/ecooptions/" TARGET="_top" TITLE="http://www.homedepot.com/webapp/wcs/stor">Home Depot</A></FONT> or Ikea for free recycling.</div> <div> Or ask about <FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#0000FF" FACE="Arial" ><A HREF="http://green.yahoo.com/blog/the_conscious_consumer/7/the-bottom-line-on-cfls-and-mercury.html" TARGET="_top" TITLE="http://green.yahoo.com/blog/the_consciou">CFL</A></FONT> recycling at your local <FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#0000FF" FACE="Arial" ><A HREF="http://www.acehardware.com/mystore/storeLocator.jsp" TARGET="_top" TITLE="http://www.acehardware.com/mystore/store">Ace Hardware</A></FONT> or home improvement store.</div> <div> You can <FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#0000FF" FACE="Arial" ><A HREF="http://earth911.com/hazardous/cfl/" TARGET="_top" TITLE="http://earth911.com/hazardous/cfl/">search</A></FONT> for other nearby solutions.</div> <bR> <div> <B>Electronics</B></div> <div> Every retailer that takes back rechargeable batteries also accepts mobile phones, as do most wireless providers.</div> <div> For computers, cameras, televisions, and others it's worthwhile do a little homework because some <FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#0000FF" FACE="Arial" ><A HREF="http://green.yahoo.com/blog/the_conscious_consumer/12/stores-that-recycle-your-stuff.html" TARGET="_top" TITLE="http://green.yahoo.com/blog/the_consciou">stores</A></FONT> charge fees depending on item and brand.</div> <div> Check out <FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#0000FF" FACE="Arial" ><A HREF="http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage.jsp?id=pcmcat149900050025&type=category" TARGET="_top" TITLE="http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage.jsp?">Best Buy</A></FONT>, <FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#0000FF" FACE="Arial" ><A HREF="http://www.staples.com/sbd/cre/marketing/ecoeasy/index2.html" TARGET="_top" TITLE="http://www.staples.com/sbd/cre/marketing">Staples</A></FONT>, and <FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#0000FF" FACE="Arial" ><A HREF="http://www.officedepot.com/specialLinks.do?file=/promo/pages/0928_recycling.jsp&template=customerservice" TARGET="_top" TITLE="http://www.officedepot.com/specialLinks.">Office Depot</A></FONT> to see what's the best fit.</div> <div> Some places, like Radio Shack, have <FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#0000FF" FACE="Arial" ><A HREF="http://radioshack.cexchange.com/online/home/index.rails" TARGET="_top" TITLE="http://radioshack.cexchange.com/online/h">trade-in programs</A></FONT> where you can receive store credit for your old gadgets.</div> <bR> <div> <B>Motor Oil</B></div> <div> In case you need some motivation, consider this factoid from <FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#0000FF" FACE="Arial" ><A HREF="http://earth911.com/" TARGET="_top" TITLE="http://earth911.com/">Earth911</A></FONT>:</div> <div> Every gallon of used motor oil that's improperly disposed of can contaminate one million gallons of drinking water.</div> <div> Bring it to <FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#0000FF" FACE="Arial" ><A HREF="http://www.walmart.com/storeLocator/ca_storefinder.do?serviceName=ALL" TARGET="_top" TITLE="http://www.walmart.com/storeLocator/ca_s">Wal-Mart</A></FONT>, <FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#0000FF" FACE="Arial" ><A HREF="http://www.autozone.com/store_locator/home.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="http://www.autozone.com/store_locator/ho">Autozone</A></FONT>, <FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#0000FF" FACE="Arial" ><A HREF="http://www.jiffylube.com/" TARGET="_top" TITLE="http://www.jiffylube.com/">Jiffy Lube</A></FONT></div> <div> or search online for more <FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#0000FF" FACE="Arial" ><A HREF="http://earth911.com/automotive/motor-oil/" TARGET="_top" TITLE="http://earth911.com/automotive/motor-oil">convenient choices</A></FONT>.</div> <bR> <div> <B>Paint</B></div> <div> It's among the harder items in this group to dispose of, but it's worth it and totally doable.</div> <div> If the paint is still in good shape, consider <FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#0000FF" FACE="Arial" ><A HREF="http://earth911.com/hazardous/paint/reuse-recycle-paint/" TARGET="_top" TITLE="http://earth911.com/hazardous/paint/reus">donating</A></FONT> it.</div> <div> As of now, there aren't any retailers that accept used paint so you'll need to make a special trip.</div> <div> Search Earth911 for a <FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#0000FF" FACE="Arial" ><A HREF="http://earth911.com/hazardous/paint/" TARGET="_top" TITLE="http://earth911.com/hazardous/paint/">comprehensive list</A></FONT> of options.</div> <bR> <div> <B>Plastic</B></div> <div> Figuring out which types of plastic you can recycle is not easy</div> <div> <A HREF="recycling_plastics.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Recycling Plastics">click here for more Plastic Recycle info</A></div> <bR> <div> Environmental journalist Lori Bongiorno shares green-living tips and product reviews with Yahoo!</div> <div> Green's users. Send Lori a <FONT SIZE="1" COLOR="#0000FF" FACE="Arial" ><A HREF="http://help.yahoo.com/l/us/yahoo/green/forms/consciousconsumerblog.html" TARGET="_top" TITLE="http://help.yahoo.com/l/us/yahoo/green/f">question or suggestion</A></FONT> for potential use in a future column.</div> <div> Her book, Green Greener Greenest: A Practical Guide to Making Eco-smart Choices a Part of Your Life is available on <FONT SIZE="1" COLOR="#0000FF" FACE="Arial" ><A HREF="http://shopping.yahoo.com/p:Green%2C%20Greener%2C%20Greenest%3A%20A%20Practical%20Guide%20to%20Making%20Eco-Smart%20Choices%20a%20Part%20of%20Your%20Life:3005209514?clink=dmps/lori_bongiorno/ctx=mid:1,pid:3005209514,pdid:1,pos:1,spc:14489115,date:20081009,srch:kw,x:" TARGET="_top" TITLE="http://shopping.yahoo.com/p:Green%2C%20G">Yahoo! Shopping</A></FONT> and <FONT SIZE="1" COLOR="#0000FF" FACE="Arial" ><A HREF="http://www.amazon.com/Green-Greener-Greenest-Practical-Eco-Smart/dp/0399534032/ref=pd_bbs_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1228865081&sr=8-1" TARGET="_top" TITLE="http://www.amazon.com/Green-Greener-Gree">Amazon.com</A></FONT></div> <bR> <div> Things you Shouldn't Recycle</div> <div> Most of us feel less guilty when we toss something in the bin headed for the recycling plant rather than the landfill. Turns out, though, wishful thinking may do more harm than good. If you include some items that aren't recyclable, you run the risk of your entire batch being shipped off to the nearest dump. </div> <div> The best thing you can do is educate yourself about local recycling rules.</div> <div> In the meantime here's the short list of common items that don't belong in the recycling bin, no matter what your zip code: </div> <div> <B>Pizza boxes</B></div> <div> The oil from pizza can <FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#0000FF" FACE="Arial" ><A HREF="http://earth911.com/blog/2008/09/01/five-common-paper-contaminants/" TARGET="_top" TITLE="http://earth911.com/blog/2008/09/01/five">contaminate cardboard boxes</A></FONT>, making it impossible to process them into clean paper.</div> <bR> <div> <B>Napkins and paper towels</B></div> <div> It's not the paper goods themselves that present a problem, but the fact that they're typically used to wipe up food, cleaning products, and other "hazardous waste."</div> <bR> <div> <B>Sticky notes</B></div> <div> Their size, color, and the adhesive strip make them a better bet for the trash bin.</div> <bR> <div> <B>Plastic caps</B></div> <div> Curbside programs won't recycle them, but Aveda <FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#0000FF" FACE="Arial" ><A HREF="http://aveda.aveda.com/aboutaveda/caps.asp" TARGET="_top" TITLE="http://aveda.aveda.com/aboutaveda/caps.a">collects them</A></FONT> and turns them into packaging for new products.</div> <bR> <div> <B>Wet paper</B></div> <div> Paper fibers that have been exposed to water are shorter and therefore less valuable to paper mills, making it unprofitable to collect and recycle. </div> <bR> <div> Figuring out which plastics you can recycle is often confusing.</div> <div> It's generally well known that most curbside programs only take plastics labeled #1 and #2 on the bottom, but many people are shocked to hear that shape sometimes plays a role.</div> <div> For example, many communities don't accept tubs (mouth wider than base), but will take bottles (base wider than mouth) even if the numbers are the same because these plastics are manufactured differently, says Darby Hoover of the Natural Resources Defense Council.</div> <div> Check in with your local waste or sanitation department to find out what the specific rules are in your area.</div> <bR> <div> <FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#0000FF" FACE="Arial" ><I><B>You can also log onto</B></I></FONT> <A HREF="http://www.earth911.org/" TARGET="_top" TITLE="http://www.earth911.org/">www.earth911.org</A></div> <div> for a wealth of recycling information from helpful articles to its extensive database where you can type in your zip code for a listing of local resources. </div> <div> Environmental journalist Lori Bongiorno shares green-living tips and product reviews with Yahoo!</div> <div> Green's users. <FONT SIZE="1" COLOR="#0000FF" FACE="Arial" ><A HREF="http://help.yahoo.com/l/us/yahoo/green/forms/consciousconsumerblog.html" TARGET="_top" TITLE="http://help.yahoo.com/l/us/yahoo/green/f">Send Lori a question or suggestion</A></FONT> for potential use in a future column</div> <bR> <DIV ALIGN="LEFT"></DIV> <div> <IMG SRC="b02c8010.png" border=0 width="200" height="1" ALT="line break" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0">           <IMG SRC="b02c8010.png" border=0 width="200" height="1" ALT="line break" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0">             <IMG SRC="b02c8010.png" border=0 width="200" height="1" ALT="line break" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></div> <bR> <div> <A HREF="http://howto.wired.com/wiki/Main_Page" TARGET="_top" TITLE="http://howto.wired.com/wiki/Main_Page"><IMG SRC="b4610380.gif" border=0 width="272" height="56" ALT="Wired CLICK HERE" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></A></div> <DIV ALIGN="LEFT"></DIV> <div> Reduce, Reuse, Recycle Your Old Gadgets</div> <div> <A HREF="how_do_you_recycle.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="How is Electronic Recycling Done"><IMG SRC="b4794b80.jpg" border=0 width="660" height="440" ALT="Environmental Protection Agency" ALIGN="RIGHT" HSPACE="6" VSPACE="0"></A><I><B>Check out the manufacturer's recycling program</B></I></div> <div> Here's where things get more complicated. Each manufacturer handles recycling differently for various products.</div> <div> So if you want to recycle an HP print cartridge and an HP battery, for example, you can't just send them to the same place.</div> <div> That means you're going to have to scour manufacturer's mind-numbingly boring websites.</div> <div> We've done the tedious work for you.</div> <div> <B>Here's a list of tech giants' recycling programs:</B></div> <div> <B>Apple</B></div> <div> Recycling old Macs, iPods and Apple displays is free - so long as you buy a new Mac, iPod or Apple display and select the option to participate in the <FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#0000FF" FACE="Arial" ><A HREF="http://www.apple.com/environment/recycling/program/index.html" TARGET="_top" TITLE="http://www.apple.com/environment/recycli">Apple Recycling Program</A></FONT>. If you opt in, Apple will send you an e-mail containing instructions on how to send back your old Apple gadget and recycle it for free. </div> <div> If you choose not to buy a new Apple gadget, you can pay a <FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#0000FF" FACE="Arial" ><A HREF="http://www.recycleapc.com/apple/index.asp" TARGET="_top" TITLE="http://www.recycleapc.com/apple/index.as">$30 fee</A></FONT> to recycle it through Metech , an Apple recycling vendor. </div> <div> Live in Cupertino? You can drop off unwanted iPods and Macs at Apple's Cupertino recycling collection facility. Call 408-862-2667 for details. </div> <div> Oklahoma and Texas residents can recycle used Apple computers, monitors, keyboards and mice for free. They must <FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#0000FF" FACE="Arial" ><A HREF="http://www.apple.com/environment/recycling/program/contacttexas.html" TARGET="_top" TITLE="http://www.apple.com/environment/recycli">fill out a form</A></FONT> to print out a free shipping label. </div> <bR> <div> <B>Asus </B></div> <div> Recyling old Asus products, including laptops, displays, PDAs and wireless devices, is free. <FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#0000FF" FACE="Arial" ><A HREF="http://www.grxrecycles.com/asus2.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="http://www.grxrecycles.com/asus2.htm">Fill out an online form</A></FONT> to print a free shipping label. Pack the Asus product in a box and drop it off at the nearest FedEx location. </div> <bR> <div> <B>Canon </B></div> <div> Consumers can send back any Canon product for recycling for a fee. To do so, <FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#0000FF" FACE="Arial" ><A HREF="http://estore.usa.canon.com/recycle/recycle.asp" TARGET="_top" TITLE="http://estore.usa.canon.com/recycle/recy">visit Canon's recycling tool</A></FONT>, choose your product and punch in its serial number. You'll be able to print a UPS label, package your gadget and ship it. </div> <div> The fee structure is based on product category: </div> <div> $6, plus applicable sales tax - binoculars, camcorders, cameras, compact photo printers, film, scanners and video equipment </div> <div> $12, plus applicable sales tax - flatbed scanners (CanoScan) and Bubble Jet products: printers, multifunction all-in-ones and fax machines </div> <div> $36, plus applicable sales tax - ImageCLASS products, laser fax machines and PC copier </div> <div> Dell </div> <div> All Dell-branded notebooks, CPUs, CRT monitors, flat-panel monitors, printers, scanners, TVs and peripherals are free to recycle. Dell has an <FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#0000FF" FACE="Arial" ><A HREF="http://support.dell.com/support/topics/global.aspx/support/recycling/en/product_recycle" TARGET="_top" TITLE="http://support.dell.com/support/topics/g">online tool</A></FONT> to select the product type and punch in some info, and boom, you'll get instructions. </div> <bR> <div> <B>Hewlett-Packard </B></div> <div> Inkjet or laserjet cartridges are free to recycle. Check cartridge boxes for return materials. You can <FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#0000FF" FACE="Arial" ><A HREF="https://h30248.www3.hp.com/recycle/supplies/index.asp?__cc=us" TARGET="_top" TITLE="https://h30248.www3.hp.com/recycle/suppl">order</A></FONT> postage-paid return shipping materials online. </div> <div> Rechargeable batteries are free to recycle. HP outsourced battery recycling to the Rechargeable Battery Recycling Corporation, which has 32,000 retail drop-off locations in the United States. You can <FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#0000FF" FACE="Arial" ><A HREF="http://www.rbrc.org/consumer/" TARGET="_top" TITLE="http://www.rbrc.org/consumer/">look up the nearest drop-off location</A></FONT> at RBRC's website. </div> <div> Cellphones are free to recycle. HP advises you to delete all confidential data from your phone. Then <FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#0000FF" FACE="Arial" ><A HREF="http://h30248.www3.hp.com/recycle/cellphone/" TARGET="_top" TITLE="http://h30248.www3.hp.com/recycle/cellph">fill out some contact information online</A></FONT>, print a shipping label courtesy of HP, package your cellphone and off it goes. </div> <div> For other hardware, HP points you to a <FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#0000FF" FACE="Arial" ><A HREF="http://www.hp.com/hpinfo/globalcitizenship/environment/recycle/us/index.html" TARGET="_top" TITLE="http://www.hp.com/hpinfo/globalcitizensh">tool</A></FONT> to look up how to recycle its hardware depending on the state you live in. (For the sake of simplicity, we recommend going down the Best Buy or Gazelle routes instead.) </div> <div> Have a useless projector? If it has a user-replaceable mercury lamp assembly, you can yank it out and recycle it free in Connecticut and Massachusetts. Same drill: Fill out some <FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#0000FF" FACE="Arial" ><A HREF="http://h30248.www3.hp.com/recycle/lamps/" TARGET="_top" TITLE="http://h30248.www3.hp.com/recycle/lamps/">contact information</A></FONT>, follow packaging instructions, print a label and ship. </div> <div> Banners and flags printed with a large-format printer can be recycled free. <FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#0000FF" FACE="Arial" ><A HREF="http://h30248.www3.hp.com/recycle/lfbanners/?jumpid=ex_r602_go/recyclelfmedia" TARGET="_top" TITLE="http://h30248.www3.hp.com/recycle/lfbann">Fill out some information on HP's site</A></FONT>, pack the materials and print a shipping label. </div> <bR> <div> <B>Motorola </B></div> <div> Motorola will recycle any cell phone as well as cell phone accessories. Motorola advises you to delete all confidential data from your phone. A postage paid shipping label (good for up to 70 pounds of cell phones) is available at the <FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#0000FF" FACE="Arial" ><A HREF="http://www.racetorecycle.com/images/postage2.pdf" TARGET="_top" TITLE="http://www.racetorecycle.com/images/post">Motorola EcoMoto</A></FONT> website. A portion of the proceeds from recycling is donated to schools. </div> <div> Pre-paid postage packets are also included with many of Motorola's new mobile phone models, making it easy to place the old mobile in the envelope and drop the package in the mail for delivery to a recycling center. </div> <bR> <div> <B>Panasonic</B></div> <div> All Panasonic products, including TVs and batteries, are free to recycle - provided you drop them off at an <FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#0000FF" FACE="Arial" ><A HREF="http://www.mrmrecycling.com/collection_map.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="http://www.mrmrecycling.com/collection_m">MRM Recycling collection location</A></FONT>. </div> <bR> <div> <B>Samsung </B></div> <div> All Samsung-branded electronics are accepted at various drop-off locations for no fee. You can <FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#0000FF" FACE="Arial" ><A HREF="http://pages.samsung.com/us/recyclingdirect/locations.jsp" TARGET="_top" TITLE="http://pages.samsung.com/us/recyclingdir">look up the nearest drop-off location</A></FONT> at Samsung's website. </div> <div> Recycling toner cartridges is free. <FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#0000FF" FACE="Arial" ><A HREF="http://pages.samsung.com/fedextoner/index.jsp" TARGET="_top" TITLE="http://pages.samsung.com/fedextoner/inde">Fill out information</A></FONT> at Samsung's website to print out a label, pack your used Samsung toner and off it goes. </div> <div> For cellphones, Samsung asks that you completely discharge the battery, remove and hold on to your SIM card, erase all personal information and back up contacts and documents using provided software. Then you fill out a form, print a label, pack the phone in a 5.5-inch-x-7.5-inch box and ship it. </div> <div> For office equipment, you <FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#0000FF" FACE="Arial" ><A HREF="http://www.anythingit.com/samsung.html" TARGET="_top" TITLE="http://www.anythingit.com/samsung.html">fill out a trade-in form</A></FONT> through EnviroSync. Then AnythingIT will contact you about the trade-in with a quote for the recycling fee. (Some Samsung models are free to recycle.) After you approve the quote, AnythingIT will schedule a pickup within two weeks. </div> <bR> <div> <B>Sharp </B></div> <div> For TVs and electronics, Sharp shares the same recycling program as Panasonic - a take-back program through <FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#0000FF" FACE="Arial" ><A HREF="http://www.mrmrecycling.com/collection_map.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="http://www.mrmrecycling.com/collection_m">MRM Recycling</A></FONT>, free for consumers provided you drop off your junk at a collection location. </div> <bR> <div> <B>Sony </B></div> <div> Sony says for no fee, it will take back any used Sony product and recycle it. You just have to bring your junk to any Waste Management e-Cycling drop-off center. <FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#0000FF" FACE="Arial" ><A HREF="http://www.sonystyle.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/CategoryDisplay?catalogId=10551&storeId=10151&langId=-1&identifier=S_eCycle_Locator" TARGET="_top" TITLE="http://www.sonystyle.com/webapp/wcs/stor">Look up the nearest drop-off center</A></FONT> at Sony's website. </div> <bR> <div> <B>Toshiba </B></div> <div> Similar to Gazelle, Toshiba offers a trade-in program for you to get some money off your used gadgets. Products with no market value are recycled free. At <FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#0000FF" FACE="Arial" ><A HREF="http://toshiba.eztradein.com/toshiba/Calculators.cfm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="http://toshiba.eztradein.com/toshiba/Cal">Toshiba's website</A></FONT>, choose the product type, fill out some information and get a quote. </div> <div> TVs can also be dropped off at an <FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#0000FF" FACE="Arial" ><A HREF="http://www.mrmrecycling.com/collection_map.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="http://www.mrmrecycling.com/collection_m">MRM Recycling collection</A></FONT> location for no fee. </div> <bR> <div> Most of us grew up with the Environmental Protection Agency's friendly "Reduce, Reuse, Recycle" motto - but when it comes to gadgets, being environmentally responsible isn't quite so easy.</div> <bR> <div> That's because electronics are neither easy for manufacturers to create nor simple for <FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#0000FF" FACE="Arial" ><A HREF="http://www.wired.com/gadgets/miscellaneous/news/2009/03/gallery_ewaste_recycling" TARGET="_top" TITLE="http://www.wired.com/gadgets/miscellaneo">recyclers to disassemble</A></FONT>.</div> <bR> <div> On top of that, laws on handling e-waste are inconsistent between countries, states and even cities. Long story short, the biggest problem with recycling gadgets is it's confusing as hell for consumers.</div> <div>  </div> <div> But it really doesn't have to be. Below, Gadget Lab rounds up a list of major companies and how their recycling programs work - so your next useless cellphone doesn't end up taking up space in a drawer or leaching toxics into a landfill.</div> <bR> <div> We'll start with the easiest stuff first and then move on to the more complicated gadgets. </div> <div> Photo: James Merithew/Wired.com</div> <bR> <div> <I><B>Take the junk to Best Buy</B></I></div> <div> One of the best moves Best Buy has made to date was its adoption of a <FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#0000FF" FACE="Arial" ><A HREF="http://blog.wired.com/gadgets/2009/02/best-buy-now-ac.html" TARGET="_top" TITLE="http://blog.wired.com/gadgets/2009/02/be">consumer-friendly electronics recycling program</A></FONT> in February.</div> <bR> <div> The program accepts most electronics, including TVs, computers and DVD players.</div> <bR> <div> A few caveats: Best Buy does not accept electronics containing Freon (like air conditioners and refrigerators), major appliances (e.g., microwaves), or TVs and monitors larger than 32 inches.</div> <bR> <div> Also, you must pay $10 to recycle a TV, CTR, monitor or laptop. In exchange, however, Best Buy gives you a free $10 gift certificate. Not so bad, right? </div> <div> Here's why this is great for the gadget world: Everybody - even the most tech-hating, wood pulp-loving Luddite - knows what Best Buy is. And there are locations everywhere. What better way to use a chain's brand name for good? But alas, there are restrictions to what you can recycle at Best Buy - which is why this list must go on. </div> <bR> <div> <I><B>Turn useless gadgets into money</B></I></div> <div> It's not just confusing for us to get rid of electronics. It's tough to let them go because they usually cost a lot.</div> <div> So this is where <FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#0000FF" FACE="Arial" ><A HREF="http://gazelle.com" TARGET="_top" TITLE="http://gazelle.com">Gazelle</A></FONT> comes in.</div> <div> The company isn't a recycler per se - it's more of a reseller that will pay money for your used electronics. If there's no resale value in the gadget you send in, it gets recycled at no cost to you. </div> <div> You simply type the gadget you want to sell into the Gazelle website's search bar, and when the gadget shows up you answer a few questions about its condition. Here's the best part: Gazelle sends you a free shipping label, and all you have to do is pack up the gadget and drop it off at UPS. That's way easier than dealing with weirdos on Craigslist, right? </div> <div> But again, there are restrictions. The electronic goods Gazelle accepts are limited to cellphones, digital cameras, MP3 players, PDAs, notebooks, gaming consoles, GPS devices, camcorders, satellite radios, external drives, video games, LCD monitors, movies and Blu-Ray players. </div> <bR> <div> <B>Donations</B></div> <div> One possible route is to donate your used computer equipment. However, many well-meaning users and even companies that donate old PCs directly to schools and nonprofits - rather than through a recycler - can end up passing on more of a burden than a blessing. </div> <div> Whether or not your PC is a good donation depends on its condition. If it's only a year or two old and still works, make sure you take it to a reputable recycler and you should be OK. </div> <div> However, older gear is often donated with good intentions, but ends up in developing world "landfills" because it's broken, unusable, too obsolete or unneeded. </div> <div> It's up to you, the donor, to ask the recipient of your electronics, how they intend to recycle it once it passes on. Some federal <FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#0000FF" FACE="Arial" ><A HREF="http://www.federalelectronicschallenge.net/resources/docs/recpnt_factsheet.pdf" TARGET="_top" TITLE="http://www.federalelectronicschallenge.n">factsheets</A></FONT> (.pdf) may be helpful. </div> <bR> <div> <B>Third-party recycling options</B></div> <div> The EPA has a <FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#0000FF" FACE="Arial" ><A HREF="http://www.epa.gov/epaoswer/hazwaste/recycle/ecycling/donate.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="http://www.epa.gov/epaoswer/hazwaste/rec">list of recommended recyclers</A></FONT> specializing in electronic gear. In any case, you should ask your <FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#0000FF" FACE="Arial" ><A HREF="http://www.federalelectronicschallenge.net/resources/docs/onsite_review.pdf" TARGET="_top" TITLE="http://www.federalelectronicschallenge.n">prospective</A></FONT> (.pdf) recyclers <FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#0000FF" FACE="Arial" ><A HREF="http://www.federalelectronicschallenge.net/resources/docs/select.pdf" TARGET="_top" TITLE="http://www.federalelectronicschallenge.n">questions</A></FONT> (.pdf), and the best ones try to be transparent to their customers. Always question certification claims, and double-check on pledges. </div> <bR> <div> <B>Put it to use</B></div> <div> Kevin Purdy of Lifehacker has <FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#0000FF" FACE="Arial" ><A HREF="http://lifehacker.com/359389/give-an-old-laptop-new-life-with-cheap-or-free-projects" TARGET="_top" TITLE="http://lifehacker.com/359389/give-an-old">seven tips for giving an old laptop new life</A></FONT>. The collective intelligence of <FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#0000FF" FACE="Arial" ><A HREF="http://ask.metafilter.com/21880/Uses-for-an-old-laptop" TARGET="_top" TITLE="http://ask.metafilter.com/21880/Uses-for">Metafilter has even more advice</A></FONT>. </div> <div> April 2009 by <FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#0000FF" FACE="Arial" >jtjathomps</FONT>. Based on work by <FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#0000FF" FACE="Arial" >gbobeck</FONT></div> <bR> <div> Take the junk to Best Buy<FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial" > </FONT></div> <div> Turn useless gadgets into money</div> <div> Check out the manufacturer's recycling program<FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial" > </FONT></div> <div> Donations<FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial" > </FONT></div> <div> Third-party recycling options<FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial" > </FONT></div> <div> Put it to use</div> <DIV ALIGN="LEFT"></DIV> <div> <IMG SRC="b02c8010.png" border=0 width="200" height="1" ALT="line break" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0">           <IMG SRC="b02c8010.png" border=0 width="200" height="1" ALT="line break" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0">             <IMG SRC="b02c8010.png" border=0 width="200" height="1" ALT="line break" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></div> <div> <B>ALSO SEE:</B></div> <div> <A HREF="http://www.keepoceansclean.org" TARGET="_top" TITLE="http://www.keepoceansclean.org">www.keepoceansclean.org</A></div> <bR> <div> <A HREF="http://www.call2recycle.org" TARGET="_top" TITLE="http://www.call2recycle.org">www.call2recycle.org</A></div> <bR> <div> <FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#0000FF" FACE="Arial" ><I><B>You can also log onto</B></I></FONT> <A HREF="http://www.earth911.org/" TARGET="_top" TITLE="http://www.earth911.org/">www.earth911.org</A></div> <bR> <div> Where Gadgets Go to Die: Facility Strips, Rips and Recycles</div> <div> When gadgets die, they go to a place like the one pictured here - if they're lucky.</div> <div> Recently, the Environmental Protection Agency came under fire for allowing U.S. tech companies to export millions of pounds of hazardous, used electronics to Asian countries where they are recycling with a lot less environmental oversight.</div> <div> Negative press, new e-waste legislation and a depressed economy are pressuring tech manufacturers into assuming far greater recycling responsibly to show they're part of the green movement.</div> <div> As a bonus, domestic recycling lets them save some money on materials, such as precious metals, while they're at it.</div> <div> <A HREF="how_do_you_recycle.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="How is Electronic Recycling Done">CLICK HERE for full Story >>></A></div> <bR> </td> </tr></table></body>