E-cycling Newsletter
VOLUME 1 ISSUE 1
HOW CAN CIVILIANS
RECYLE E-WASTE?
2015/06/19
SO WHAT CAN I DO!?!
Recycling isn’t hard
once you find a trustworthy
We all know that recycling e-waste such as
place! So we went ahead
old computers, cell phones, and even TVs and
and found a few institutions
calculators keeps harmful toxins out of our landfills,
that will take your e-junk
but for some it isn’t as simple as putting your old
and get rid of it
electronic junk out on the curb for city recycling to
responsibly.
take care of. There are factors that have to be taken
into consideration when choosing who to hand over
your e-recycling to. Factors like,

Will they actually recycle it instead of
throwing it in the dump?

Will my e-waste be shipped off to a dump in a
developing nation?

Are these guys even certified to handle my
hazardous junk?
Be sure to check if they accept your waste!
BEST BUY – Best Buy is very transparent with how
they treat the e-waste they recycle. They do not
dump or export and expect all third parties who
participate to do the same. They charge $10 to
recycle some items, but return it to you in the form
of a $10 gift card. Learn more here:
http://www.bestbuy.com
Well here are some tips to help you avoid some less-
STAPLES – As an E-Stewards Enterprise Staples is
than-reputable recycling businesses.
another business dedicated to ethical and responsible

EPA/R-2/ISO certification – these are buzz
terms and have nothing to do with how your


recycling! E-Stewards is a great entity to look for in a
recycling company for your e-waste. Check it out!
e-waste will be recycled; they might still be
www.staples.com and http://e-stewards.org
exported.
TERRACYCLE – Recycles or Upcycles certain e-waste
“We follow State and federal law” – There are
materials. Warning, they will not take anything
few laws governing the recycling of e-waste,
deemed hazardous, which really limits what they will
so they are free to dump or export.
accept. They are included here because along with a
No exporting e-waste/equipment – Sounds
neat shop of recycled products they offer points for
good right? But beware the wording. Some
recycling that can be turned into a cash donation.
‘recyclers’ might not call it e-waste and some
might sell that equipment to someone who
WILL export it. This is pretty common
practice unfortunately.
https://www.terracycle.com
Further reading: www.electronicstakeback.com
www.epa.gov/epawaste/conserve