Computer and Electronics Recycling
What's new?
Dell Launches Free Electronics Recycling Program
Sept. 28 -- Dell Inc.'s free electronics recycling program for U.S. consumers begins Sept. 29. The no-strings-attached program does not require customers to buy a new Dell product in order to recycle an old one. Dell will pick up any of its branded electronics, such as computers and printers, at no charge from customers' homes. Those wanting to recycle their Dell product can go online at www.dell4me.com/recycling, enter a product identification number, print out a prepaid shipping label and schedule home pickup. "We want to make recycling easy and free for consumers and are committed to recycling what we make and sell," said Eric Gates, worldwide manager of asset recovery services for the Round Rock, Texas-based electronics firm.
Office Depot Offers Electronics Recycling at all of their Stores
November 2007 - The Office Depot is providing boxes to customers for a nominal fee to collect unwanted electronics. The electronics recycling program is called Tech Recycling Service and is available throughout the country. The Office Depot piloted the program at 100 stores in 2006 and collected 108,000 pounds of ewaste. Go to:
Tech Recycling Service at Office Depot
Computer and electronics recycling has moved to the forefront of recycling program discussions across the U.S.A. EPA has initiated a number of programs and promotions geared to raise the public's understanding of the need to capture this material, and as an alternative to disposal, to have it properly managed through reuse, re-manufacturing or recycling systems. Improperly managed electronic materials may release hazardous materials such as lead, mercury and hexavalent chromium into the environment. Many manufacturers have set up take-back programs or funded regional collection programs to facilitate the recovery and proper management of their products.
Virginia seeks to promote the responsible management of electronics waste in accordance with federal and state regulations. In 2001 Virginia joined other EPA Region III states in a regional electronics recycling collection pilot project, "eCycling". As part of this project, Virginia localities hosted 5 one-time collection events over 2 years utilizing funding from EPA and the electronics industry partners as well as local funding and in-kind services. At its conclusion the eCycling pilot resulted in 58 residential electronics collection events, 9 permanent collection programs in place, and over 2,700 tons of end-of-life electronics diverted from the waste stream. Access the following web site for additional information on EPA's Plug-In to eCycling Program: http://www.epa.gov/plugin. A number of ongoing electronics recycling collection events have been established by Virginia localities. For information about electronics recycling options in your community, visit www.deq.virginia.gov/recycle/contactlist.html for your locality's recycling program contact.
DEQ continues to promote citizen awareness of the possible hazards related to improper management of these electronic wastes on its web site and through its outreach systems, while working with the electronics recycling infrastructure to ensure that collected materials are handled properly. This web site offers links to information about electronics recycling programs by Virginia localities, contact information for companies that offer electronics recycling services, and other information that may be helpful to you.
In 2004 DEQ established an Electronics Waste Management Advisory Committee to review the state's electronics recycling infrastructure and other issues, and from this committee derived a working paper, Guiding Principles for eWaste Management in Virginia, for use by localities. DEQ also took an active role in the promotion of the Hewlett-Packard/Office Depot free electronics recycling project during the summer of 2004.
In further support, the Department applied for and was awarded a $10,000 electronics recycling grant from Dell Computers to implement a one-time electronics collection event (PDF) in a rural area of the Commonwealth in 2004-2005. The Cumberland Plateau region of the state (Russell, Buchanan and Dickenson Counties) was selected to host the collection event(s) in March of 2005. The event was very successful and cost-efficient, leaving over 50% of the awarded funds for use in other projects. Page County and Bedford County were awarded grants from these funds for new collection events in May of 2006. Thanks to Dell, these five Virginia Rural Counties were able to collect almost 50 tons of electronics for recycling.