Like many of us, you probably have a box somewhere stashed away in a corner full of old electronic devices such as cell phones, mini mp3 players, televisions or computer equipment, with intentions of one day cashing in by selling them on eBay or Craigslist.
Those days have have probably turned to months or years, and that box of gold is now a pile of old electronic junk that you need to get rid of somehow.
Instead of throwing them in the trash, a new program, started by the EPA, called "eCycling" will take that pile of e-junk off your hands.
The program "Plug-In To eCycling with US EPA" is a partnership between the EPA and consumer electronics manufacturers, retailers, and service providers such as Best Buy, Staples, Office Depot, Sprint, Motorola and many others, that offers you opportunities to donate or recycle - to "eCycle" - your used electronics.
Many partners offer easy drop offs at their store for specific electronic items or will come to your house and pick up larger appliances or televisions for no cost. Others charge a small fee, with all money received donated to charity, while some of the more greedy companies, who still don't have a clue, charge just for the service. Those companies should be avoided.
The goal of the program is to refurbish many of the old electronic equipment or recover valuable materials that can be used to make new products.
For me this is a great program since my town will not allow just throwing away appliances or some electronic items. We usually have to find places or pay someone to take it off our hands. Now, I can just go to Best Buy and eCycle away.
More information can be found at the EPA's Plug-In To eCycling web site along with a list of companies that are involved in the program.
For those of us with little time, but want more information, the EPA has provided podcasts to help push the information out to the mainstream. Now that's smart marketing!
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