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April 2007
 On average, laptop owners keep their computers only three years; cell phone users discard their phones after less than two years.
According to the EPA, this translates into 500 million used cell phones sitting on U.S. shelves and in landfills, and over 500 million now-obsolete computers likely headed to the same place. This year alone, consumers will retire two million tons of electronic waste, including old computers, cell phones, televisions, ink jet cartridges, and rechargeable batteries.
The rapid pace of technology, the decreasing costs of electronics, and even the planned obsolescence of some gadgets have caused electronic waste to grow two to three times faster than any other waste stream, including paper or yard waste.
Electronic waste often contains toxic substances such as lead, mercury, cadmium or other substances. However, when treated properly, electronic waste can also be a valuable source of secondary raw materials.
Best Buy helping customers make responsible decisions
As the largest U.S. retailer of consumer electronics, Best Buy recognizes its responsibility to help consumers make smart and safe decisions when disposing of their electronics. Best Buy has developed innovative solutions to help customers dispose of their e-waste, including:
- Free recycling drop-off kiosks – Best Buy offers kiosks just inside the door of all of its U.S. stores where consumers can drop off old cell phones, rechargeable batteries, and ink-jet cartridges for free. In 2006, the company collected more than 90,000 pounds of electronic waste to be recycled.
- Recycling events – Since 2001, Best Buy has hosted and or sponsored weekend recycling events in its store parking lots across the U.S. Customers can drop off computers, monitors, printers, fax machines, TVs, audio equipment, VCRs, and DVD players to be recycled. These events have collected more than 5 million pounds of e-waste. Last year, Best Buy sponsored 40 such events, collecting more than 1.8 million pounds of e-waste from consumers. This year Best Buy will hold events in Florida, Minnesota, Washington State, California, Massachusetts and several other states. A schedule can be found at: http://communications.bestbuy.com/communityrelations/recyclingevents.asp.
- Services and haul-away programs - For a nominal fee, Best Buy will haul away and recycle consumers' televisions, monitors, and appliances when new purchases are delivered to their homes. Through its services and customer haul-away programs in 2006, Best Buy recycled more than 13 million pounds of e-waste.
- Mail-in cell phone recycling - New Best Buy cell phone customers receive free, postage-paid envelopes to mail old phones to ReCellular, a cell phone reuse/recycling partner of Best Buy.
In addition to these programs, Best Buy recently announced a new recycling grant program in which the company will provide grants ranging from $500 to $1,500 to non-profit organizations, cities, counties, or even public-private partnerships, to host recycling events in their communities. Grant amounts will vary depending on the size and scope of the event program.
Brenda Mathison, Best Buy’s Director of Environmental Affairs, explains the impetus behind the new program: "As the largest retailer of consumer electronics, we have a responsibility to help consumers make smart decisions when disposing of e-waste. We see this grant program as a way to extend our reach in communities, supporting local programs that touch all consumers and help ensure these items are properly handled."
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