How to Recycle Cell Phones, Printer Cartridges and Batteries at Best Buy

From computers to cell phones, recycle your e-waste

By Brian Clark Howard

Best Buy

Best Buy is the largest U.S. retailer of consumer electronics, and it is also a major force in recycling e-waste. In 2006, more than 20 million pounds of electronics were recycled through company programs.

A pioneering effort by Best Buy is the free recycling drop-off kiosks that can be found just inside the door of every Best Buy store in America. There passersby can drop off old cell phones, rechargeable batteries and ink-jet cartridges at no cost.

What many consumers may not know is that Best Buy also has an appliance recycling program. The company will remove old appliances from consumers’ homes and send them to recyclers. There any harmful materials will be separated and disposed of, such as CFCs, usable parts will be salvaged, and other materials will be recycled for scrap.

Additionally, new Best Buy cell phone customers receive free, postage-paid envelopes to mail old phones to ReCellular. In turn, ReCellular donates dollars from its recycling program to Boys and Girls Clubs of America.

Finally, the company is well known for hosting recycling events at its store parking lots, during which people can come drop off a wide range of items for recycling.

Learn more about Best Buy's recycling program.

How to Recycle E-Waste, by Brand