Say "NO" to Landfill. Say "YES" to Recycle.
Recycle Your Electronics
I have accumulated a tablet, cell phone, and two laptops that need to be recycled. Some of my equipment has value in the secondary market for use "as is” but most of it is only good for reclamation. The older equipment will be dismantled and the metal, plastic and glass will be stripped for use in the manufacturing of new products, reducing the need to mine raw materials.
Below are a few of the many ways you can trade-in and/or properly recycle your electronics. The companies listed below have free mail-in programs! Read on to learn about these programs at Staples, Dell and Best Buy.
I have accumulated a tablet, cell phone, and two laptops that need to be recycled. Some of my equipment has value in the secondary market for use "as is” but most of it is only good for reclamation. The older equipment will be dismantled and the metal, plastic and glass will be stripped for use in the manufacturing of new products, reducing the need to mine raw materials.
Below are a few of the many ways you can trade-in and/or properly recycle your electronics. The companies listed below have free mail-in programs! Read on to learn about these programs at Staples, Dell and Best Buy.
Find Electronics Recycling Near You
The Consumer Technology Association (CTA) provides a great resource to quickly help you find the recycling center near you. Input your zip code to see a map with company name, address, phone, and website. Click here to reach CTA's site.
Updated April 2018
Chris Needham, from DirecTVDeals.com, an authorized DIRECTV dealer from Fort Mill, South Carolina sent me this link to their central list of recycling facilities. Enter your city and state and using their dropdown menu specify how far outside of your area you want to search. https://www.directvdeals.com/resources/tv-recycling/
Chris Needham, from DirecTVDeals.com, an authorized DIRECTV dealer from Fort Mill, South Carolina sent me this link to their central list of recycling facilities. Enter your city and state and using their dropdown menu specify how far outside of your area you want to search. https://www.directvdeals.com/resources/tv-recycling/
Staples Limited Time Offer
Staples is offering a $10 credit toward your next purchase of $30. This is a limited time offer and runs from November 12th through November 18th. One $10 credit per Rewards customer when you recycle your old laptop, cell phone, tablet, etc.
My $10 reward will go toward the purchase of a 64GB Lexar Jumpdrive (like a thumb drive) which will enable me to have a portable data transportation device that is encrypted and has super-fast data transfer to my computer.
To sign-up for the Staples Reward program visit www.staples.com/rewards. The program is free. You must be 18 years or older with a valid US mailing address and email address.
My $10 reward will go toward the purchase of a 64GB Lexar Jumpdrive (like a thumb drive) which will enable me to have a portable data transportation device that is encrypted and has super-fast data transfer to my computer.
To sign-up for the Staples Reward program visit www.staples.com/rewards. The program is free. You must be 18 years or older with a valid US mailing address and email address.
Dell Offers Trade-in Program and Free Recycling
Trade in your old system and get a Dell Gift Card. Plus for a limited time, get an additional $100 promotional eGift Card to use toward the purchase of new technology. Any Dell, Alienware, PC or Apple – laptop, desktop, tablet, smartphone or monitor may qualify for reuse or free recycling.
The trade-in and recycling program is outsourced to Reuse, Inc.
http://www.dell.com/learn/us/en/uscorp1/campaigns/trade-in-program
The trade-in and recycling program is outsourced to Reuse, Inc.
http://www.dell.com/learn/us/en/uscorp1/campaigns/trade-in-program
Best Buy Offers Trade-in and Recycling with Geek Squad Support
Best Buy will recycle technology products, appliances and televisions and home entertainment equipment. The great thing about Best Buy is that you can schedule an appointment to bring your computer into Best Buy and have a Geek Squad agent erase the personal data on the hard drive before you turn it in for recycling or their trade-in program.
Best Buy claims to be the largest retail collection site for recycling of electronics in the United States. They have recycled 1 Billion pounds of materials. Their goal is to recycle 2 Billion pounds by 2020. Read more on the FAQ pages.
www.bestbuy.com/tradein or www.bestbuy.com/recycle
Best Buy claims to be the largest retail collection site for recycling of electronics in the United States. They have recycled 1 Billion pounds of materials. Their goal is to recycle 2 Billion pounds by 2020. Read more on the FAQ pages.
www.bestbuy.com/tradein or www.bestbuy.com/recycle
Retail and Manufacturers Take Back Programs
The Northwest Product Stewardship Council out of Washington and Oregon have compiled a comprehensive list of retailers and manufacturers who provide a take back recycling program. NWPSC supports the efforts of manufacturers and retailers to offer take back programs whereby used electronic products are accepted from their customers and then are properly recycled, disposed or reused.
Cleaning Personal Information from Your Device
Remember: You are responsible for backing up any valuable information and erasing sensitive data from the hard drive.
Before you ship or drop off the products for recycling:
Here are two links to YouTube videos that demonstrate how to permanently erase the data on your PC and Mac systems and restore the operating systems.
MAC - Andy's 4 minute video
PC - Tech Deal's 9 minute video
If you are uncomfortable with the process call your local computer service company for their help.
You will find smartphone RESET instructions through YouTube. Remove your SD card before recycling or trading-in.
iPhone Reset - MacWorld 2 minute video
Android Reset - Android Authority's 4 minute video
Before you ship or drop off the products for recycling:
- Back up your data;
- Delete the data on the hard drive and any other storage devices;
- Remove diskettes, CDs, or PC cards.
Here are two links to YouTube videos that demonstrate how to permanently erase the data on your PC and Mac systems and restore the operating systems.
MAC - Andy's 4 minute video
PC - Tech Deal's 9 minute video
If you are uncomfortable with the process call your local computer service company for their help.
You will find smartphone RESET instructions through YouTube. Remove your SD card before recycling or trading-in.
iPhone Reset - MacWorld 2 minute video
Android Reset - Android Authority's 4 minute video
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