Dos And Donts For Recycling
Best Buy operates the largest retail collection program in the country, having collected and responsibly disposed of more than 1.5 billion pounds of electronics and appliances. And theres no charge to recycle most items.
That means you can bring in your old cords, cables, VCRs you name it. Well even take technology that hasnt seen the light of day for decades, like 8-track tape players, 70s-era turntables and 80s-era boom boxes., And it doesnt matter where you bought them.
We only charge a fee for recycling large appliances, and TVs and monitors, which are among the most expensive for us to manage through the recycling process.
- If youre recycling a product with memory storage, be sure to wipe your personal data from its hard or flash drive. No time? No worries we require our recycling partners to wipe all data from these items.
- Dont bring in any products for recycling that are contaminated with food or infested with household pests.
- Make sure your products are intact. Equipment with broken pieces could cut someone who must handle it.
- Best Buy has a few limits on how much you can bring: Three non-CRT items per household per day, and two TVs or monitors per household per day.
If youre wondering whether you can recycle something, check our website at www.bestbuy.com/recycling.
Does Best Buy Take Old Laptops
Best Buy also offers a recycling program got laptops, computers, televisions, and other electronics. The company will recycle your old electronics for free, but you are limited to three items per household per day. Most items, including laptops, can be dropped off in-store. As a bonus, for some in-demand items, you might be eligible to receive discounts for purchases from Best Buy stores or through the Best Buy website.
The company also offers a trade-in program, so before you decide to recycle your laptop, check with Best Buy to see if it has any value. If not, then you can take advantage of their recycling program.
Best Buy Customers Are Part Of The Solution To E
The laptop, phone or tablet youre reading this on might become part of an airplane one day that is, if you recycle it.
At Best Buy, we have helped our customers recycle more than 2 billion pounds of electronics and appliances since 2009, making us the largest retail collector of e-waste in the United States.
We are committed to supporting our customers throughout the lifecycle of their products, said Tim Dunn, Best Buys head of environmental sustainability. Making electronics recycling easy is one important way we can serve our communities and protect the environment,
Our goal is to make it really easy. You can drop off old electronics for recycling at any Best Buy store, and our trade-in program provides gift cards for items that still have value. You can also use our haul-away program when you buy new TVs, appliances or fitness equipment.
But what exactly happens next?
After being collected by a Best Buy associate, they are shipped to Regency Technologies or Electronic Recyclers International , our trusted recycling partners. These facilities wipe any remaining data from devices before determining if the product can be repaired, repurposed or recycled.
Then, they break down materials using shredders, equipment and manpower and ensure the reclaimed commodities are recycled and repurposed into new products like fiber-optic cables and even airplanes. Plastics can be made into new electronics or other items.
Don’t Miss: How To Make A Video On A Hp Laptop
Cell Phones Radios And Other Small Electronics
The same three-item-per-household rule applies, as does the restriction limiting the program only to residents, but otherwise, Best Buy will accept nearly any small electronic device, including cell phones, landline phones, hands-free or wireless headsets, calculators, phone chargers, two-way radios, wireless broadband, shredders, and even voice recorders. The only restrictions are that it actually has to be an electronic device , and they wont accept safes .
Dont Throw Them Out Take Them To Best Buy
Whatever you do, dont toss old batteries or electronics in the garbage. That includes disposable batteries like the AAs you might have in a TV remote. This e-waste can leach a toxic soup of chemicals into landfill sites.
Instead, take them to Best Buy where they will be properly recycled. This keeps e-waste out of landfills and groundwater, while ensuring any components that can be reused get a second life.
If you have old electronics, or batteries, or old devices with built-in batteries, check out Best Buys Electronics Recycling Program web page to see which items are accepted at your local store. Doing so gets them safely out of your house, you get some green cred, and its a lot more fun than going to the local landfill or dump.
- TAGS
Don’t Miss: How To Get More Gb On Hp Laptop
How Do I Get Rid Of A Laptop That Wont Turn On
Simply remove the hard drive and sell or donate as is. You can then purchase another computer/laptop and copy all critical files to your new computer. If no one else should have access to data on the drive, take a sledge hammer to it or run a powerful magnet over it or leave the magnet on top of it for a few days.
How To Recycle Cellphones
Phones and their batteries are some of the easiest electronics to recycle, according to .
Remember to transfer any data and photos on your old phone to a new phone, or otherwise save your photos before performing a factory reset. Remember to also remove the SIM card .
The company accepts all phones and batteries regardless of size, make, model or age. Call2Recycle can refurbish the device for resale or recycle the materials for a new device. If you look hard enough, you can even get paid for recycling your phone.
If your phone is new enough, you may be able to trade it in to a carrier, if you’re buying a new phone, or sell it on the open market. Otherwise, if it’s lost a lot of value, recycling may be your best bet for getting a dusty phone off your hands.
Cables are fair game, too.
Best Buy accepts three phones per household per day, Lowe’s has recycling centers at every location, Home Depot takes phones up to 11 pounds and Staples also takes phones.
Whole Foods works with Secure the Call to send 911 emergency-only phones to senior citizens and residents of domestic violence shelters. Just make sure you bring the charger.
You can also donate gently used phones to Cell Phones for Soldiers: The program helps service members call their families for free. Local communities may also accept phone donations as part of a citywide drive. Additionally, you could also check with your employer to see how it handles e-waste. You may be able to add a few items to the collection.
Read Also: Definition Of Refurbished Laptop
They Are Not A Computer Recycling Company
This one is obvious. Best Buy is a national retailer of electronics and household appliances. They began offering computer recycling services as a business strategy. They figure if they can get you to bring in an old monitor, you might buy a new one. Its a nice service to offer.
Computer recycling services for consumers and small generators are fairly limited, and they fill an easy need. With that said, consider the fact that Best Buy wont actually recycle your electronics. Theyre going to load them into a truck and drive them back to a distribution center where they will then be driven somewhere else. Its a lot of driving and while you think youre doing good for the environment, all those diesel trucks driving your old monitor around are causing damage.
Find A Pc Recycle Center Near Me
Why cant I just throw my computer away? Well, thats because it contains hazardous waste, like heavy metals. And some of these metals are in short supply. Some examples are tin, silicon, iron, and aluminum. By 2009, 38% of computers were recycled in the United States. Computer recycling is considered environmentally friendly and keeps toxins and carcinogens from entering the atmosphere. Recycling one computer with its monitor can save 539 pounds of fossil fuel, 48 pounds of chemicals, and 1.5 tons of water.
You May Like: Iphone To Hp Laptop Screen Mirroring
How Do You Recycle An Old Laptop
Most computer manufacturers release new laptops every year, which means people can upgrade their current laptop anytime they feel like it’s not working well. However, with the upgrade cycle increasing, more laptops end up in landfills, and it’s doing irreparable damage to the environment. A better alternative is to recycle your old laptop.
Fortunately, there are plenty of options for recycling. If you have a laptop less than five years old, you may be able to donate it. Non-profit organizations and schools are often happy to receive older laptops in good working condition. They’ll refurbish the computers for students or volunteer to use. Earth911 is an excellent place to start looking for places to donate your computer.
Just enter your zip code and search for organizations that take laptops as donations. And as an alternative, there may be local organizations, churches, or schools thrilled to have a gently used laptop . You’ll need to find those places through local connections.
Older laptops might not be able to be donated and will need to be sent or taken to a recycling center prepared to dispose of the machines properly. Several organizations have recycling programs for laptops . Each of these sites offers a program, and for the most part, all you’ll need to do is enter your zip code to find a location near you.
Is It Illegal To Throw Away Electronics
Laptops, TV sets, and other electronic devices contain hazardous chemicals and toxic metals. When landfills used to accept these items for disposal, the chemicals and metals seeped into the ground and water supply. Today, it is not just a bad idea to throw away used electronics it is against the law.
Recommended Reading: Connecting Voip Phone To Pc
Data Security Is A Big Concern
If youre taking a TV or an old monitor to them, this isnt as big of a deal, but if youre taking an electronic item that holds sensitive data, such as a smartphone, computer, laptop, or tablet, you should think twice. Best Buy does NOT remove data.
Dropping off your hardware that contains sensitive data is like dropping it off at your local playground with a sign that says Take My Info. They offer solutions to remove the data but only for Windows computers and nothing else. Their webpage basically shows you how to do it yourself before showing up. Bottom line, this is a huge mistake and we advise people to think long and hard about doing this.
Locate A Computer Disposal Facility In Your Area
Computer circuit boards may contain cadmium, mercury, chromium, and lead! The average monitor can contain anywhere from 1.5 to 8 pounds of lead. Circuit boards contain lead, as well. How is keeping one old computer, instead of recycling it going to affect the environment? One computer? In 2010, 71.7 million new laptops and desktop computers were purchased in the U.S. alone. In that year, those same consumers disposed of 423,000 tons of computers. And only 40% of those computers were actually recycled. The rest of them ended up in landfills. Thats not even including the 595,000 tons of computer monitors, of which only 33% were recycled.
Read Also: How To Shutdown Computer With Keyboard Windows 10
Best Buy Recycling Fee
As noted above, while most of the Best Buy Recycling program is free, there are some items that require a fee. Where possible, those items have also been noted above, but keep in mind that each state may have different guidelines, so be sure to check for information specific to your area, too.
Some TVs, for instance, have a recycling fee, as do some monitors. In general, though, it is always wise to check the guidelines for your specific area first.
They Are Not A Certified Recycling Program
The electronics recycling industry has several certifications widely accepted as the standard,R2, andE-Stewards. Most reputable companies in our industry have one of them. Securis is certified to R2 and NAID AAA. The industry also has NAID AAA certification. This certification deals mostly with data destruction.
Best Buy carries none of these certifications. The industry has these certifications for a reason, and Best Buy has chosen not to certify to these very high standards.
As previously stated, this article is not an attempt to bash or put down Best Buy, but rather an attempt to give you reasons to think about whether its a good idea to use them for electronics recycling. Weve outlined five very good reasons that using them for this service might not be the best idea. If you want to buy a massive big screen TV, we think they are a great option.
You May Like: How Do I Screen Record On Hp Laptop
Best Buy Home And Appliance Recycling
Best Buy accepts a wide range of home products and appliances for recycling. As a general rule, Best Buy will accept home products that contain electronics but are not dangerous or require expertise. For instance, Best Buy accepts the following:
- cables and connectors
- popcorn makers, pressure cookers, rice cookers, slow cookers
- sewing machines
- And much more. As always, be sure to check with your local Best Buy.
When it comes to large home appliances Best Buy offers Haul-Away recycling for $20 when a replacement product from Best Buy is delivered to your home for the following items:
- Washers and dryers
- Ranges, stoves, range hoods, cooktops, and wall ovens
- Refrigerators, freezers, and ice makers
- Microwaves
- Dishwashers
Best Buy then sends those appliances to their third-party, licensed recycling partners. Other appliances, however, are not accepted.
What Does Best Buy Do With Recycled Electronics
After they are dropped off, all electronics are removed from the store, consolidated, and then delivered to one of Best Buys contracted recycling partners. These recyclers determine if the product can be repaired, repurposed or recycled.
Items that can be repaired or reused are processed separately. Items that are marked for recycling are dismantled, so materials such as metals, plastics and glass can be isolated and reclaimed. These resources are them repurposed into new products.
Here are more tips on recycling:
Read Also: How To Hardwire A Laptop Without Ethernet Port
Why Recycle Your Laptop
Recycling your laptop is important because if it ends up in a landfill, the problem isnt solved it only begins. Electronics that end up in the trash can become a serious environmental and health hazard.Electronic devices contain toxic materials like chromium, flame retardants, and lead. These materials have been related to damage to kidneys, blood, and the central nervous system.
Findings from most studies showed increases in spontaneous abortions, stillbirths, and premature births, and reduced birthweights and birth lengths associated with exposure to e-waste.
Kirsten Grant, Researcher, Health Consequences of Exposure to E-Waste, The Lancet
When you throw your electronic notebook with the household trash, those toxic materials can leak into landfills and even reach groundwater or vaporize into the air in landfill fires. Yet, apart from recycling responsibly, there is another way people can help reduce the amount of electronic waste. After recycling your old computer, instead of ordering a brand new machine, get a refurbished one. Not only will you pay much less, but youll help reduce demand for raw materials. Also, it feels great to salvage a perfectly working computer from being dismantled for scrap.eBay is a great place to look for refurbished laptops. In fact, GreenCitizen has our own eBay store, where you can find the latest line up of refurbished laptops that work like new.
How Can I Properly Dispose Of Old Computer Monitor
Some facilities that accept electronics for recycling do not accept computer monitors. It is best to double-check with the recycler you have chosen to be sure they take monitors before lugging it over. The cost to recycle a monitor can deter many recyclers from accepting them or possibly charging a fee to accept them. If you have other equipment such as printers, laptop batteries, or keyboards, it is a good idea to clarify they are allowed there as well.
You May Like: How To Sync Airpods To Laptop
Donating Your Old Computer
If your computer or laptop is in working condition, you should consider donating to a worthy cause close to your heart. A donation can be even better than recycling because the more extended use we can get out of an object, the better, it can still be recycled later after doing some good for people in need. Below is a shortlist of just a few well-known organizations that accept computer donations, you can also check with a shelter or charitable organization in your area.
Computers With Causes will repair or refurbish your old computer equipment if it financially makes sense. Your donation is wholly tax-deductible.
World Computer Exchange this is an international organization tied to over 450 partner organizations worldwide. They do have some criteria to meet to accept your donation.
Goodwill Organizations collects, repairs, and then sells donated computers, and they also accept monitors. More substantial donations from businesses can arrange for pickup from Goodwill.
National Cristina Foundation this is a wonderful organization that matches your or your businesss old computer equipment with a vetted charity organization focused on providing technology to underprivileged populations.
What Happens To The Old Stuff
Our recycling partners determine if the material we send them can be repaired and resold, either as a whole unit or broken down for parts to repair other units. Material that cant be fixed and resold can be turned into all kinds of things.
Plastics can be reused in products like toys, landscaping equipment, decking material and lawn furniture. Flat-panel TV glass can be repurposed into digital watch faces, or mixed to create road construction grading material. Some metals make their way back as car body panels and other auto components.
Keep bringing that old technology in and youll join us in collecting two billion pounds by 2020.
Learn more about recycling on BestBuy.com. For more news about Best Buys sustainability programs, click here or follow .
Read Also: Msi Laptop Keyboard Color Change