Apartment Therapy Re-Nest | Best Local E-Waste Recycling Resources?

Best Local E-Waste Recycling Resources?

A friend of ours asked what he should do with an old under-cabinet light. We didn't know, so he called around. The answer we weren't expecting to hear: "We'll take anything that plugs into a wall, except washing machines." The best part is that they take the junk for free.

This miraculous place is the Alameda County Computer Resource Center in Berkeley, California (they've got an outpost in Marin County, too), and if you've got old electronic equipment kicking around, perhaps it's time to send them a box by parcel post. Not only will they take anything that plugs into a wall, they'll also take e-waste from outside the state of California.

We'd like to come up with a list of places like this around the country that will take electronic waste with no or a very low fee. In Portland, we know of Free Geek, but they have a small "suggested donation" for each item they disassemble. Do you have a similar organization in your town or city? Let us know below... if we get enough responses we'll build a round-up post with location information and links.

Comments (4)

In Las Vegas I have worked with the Blind Center of Nevada, they have an excellent electronics recycling program and are equipped to take small or large quantities of everything from small gadgets to big computers etc. I also believe that you get tax breaks since your donation directly benefits the Center. I think they also are willing to work with people throughout the region, not just Vegas. Ben or Guy can help you out!

posted by BHS on July 2nd 2008 at 11:09am
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Two things: Staples has a nationwide recycling program for electronic waste, and the USPS is piloting a program that provides plastic bags in which people can send them small electronic items to be recycled. For free. I saw the bags at my local post office a few weeks ago; they may not be everywhere yet.

posted by meeralee on July 2nd 2008 at 1:42pm
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Not too far from you, in Half Moon Bay, CA, we have a number of free e-waste recycling options. Reece Computer Systems takes all sorts of electronics for free, as does Strawflower Electronics.

And over at Ocean Shore Hardware we have a Green Citizen kiosk for recycling cell phones, batteries, CDs and DVDs, and printer cartridges.

posted by Jeri Dansky on July 4th 2008 at 6:15pm
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In Minnesota or Indiana: www.retrofitcompanies.com for locations & hours for household electronics drop off. Or e-mail recycle [at] retrofitcompanies [dot] com.

This company is part of the Basal Action Network (ban dot org) and has pledged that all e-waste is handled properly & responsibly. Services are for businesses & households alike.

posted by *darcie* on July 7th 2008 at 9:07am
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