Unwanted consumer electronics - cell and smart phones, computers and monitors, televisions, DVD and MP3 players, pagers, PDAs and other devices - are the fastest-growing category of waste in Massachusetts.  Until recently, Bay Staters were discarding more than 900,000 units annually on average, but that number has increased due to the federally-mandated transition to digital television broadcasting.  If you own an analog TV, there is no need to replace it right away.  You can extend its useful life by purchasing a digital converter box. 

When you do have a television or any other unwanted electronics to discard, remember that still useful items can be donated to others.  Non-working electronics should be recycled to prevent lead, mercury and other toxics they contain from posing health and environmental risks after disposal.  Some electronics - the cathode ray tubes (CRTs) found in most computer and television screens pre-dating flat panels - are banned from Massachusetts landfills and combustion facilities.

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Charity America

Connects donors with charities across the nation.
Charity America web site

Computers for Schools

An association that reconditions donated computer equipment for educational use.
Computers for Schools web site

Goodwill Industries

Lists Goodwill Industries locations that accept donations of newer televisions and computers.
Goodwill Industries web site

National Cristina Foundation

Accepts donated computers to give to people with disabilities and others at risk.
National Cristina Foundation web site

Share Technology

Connects computer donors and non-profit donation seekers across the country.
Share Technology web site

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Apple

Cellphones and iPods. Mail-in.
Apple web site

AT&T Wireless

Cell phones and PDAs, plus accessories and batteries for those devices.  In-store drop-off (AT&T-operated and participating authorized dealer stores only).
AT&T Wireles web site

Best Buy

All stores accept destop and notebook computers and peripherals, DVD and VCR players, small electronics, telephones, and televisions and monitors up to 32 inches. A $10 fee per unit recycling fee is charged for items with screens, such as televisions, laptop computers and monitors, but the consumer instantly receives a $10 Best Buy gift card in exchange for the recycling fee. Company also offers recycling grants to municipalities and non-profit organizations.
Best Buy web site

Costco

Computers, CRT and LCD monitors, camcorders, digital cameras, fax machines, game systems, MP3 players, PDAs, personal printers and smartphones. Free mail-in recycling. Trade-in value paid in Costco gift cards for some items.
Costco/Greensight web site

Dell

Computers and peripherals.  Free recycling of Dell-branded products at any time, and of any brand when a consumer purchases new Dell equipment.
Dell web site

Hewlett Packard (HP)

Cell phones, computer hardware, inkjet and laser printer cartridges, rechargeable batteries, and user-replaceable mercury-added lamp assemblies.  Drop-off and mail-in.
HP web site

Lexmark

Printers, inkjet cartridges and toner cartridges.  Mostly mail-in.
Lexmark web site

LG Electronics (includes LG, GoldStar & Zenith)

Most LG, GoldStar and Zenith products, except cell phones.  Consumers can recycle up to five units per day, free of charge, by dropping them off at designated Waste Management Inc. (WM) eCycling locations.  Cell phones are covered under a separate program.
LG web site

Related: Massachusetts Locations
WM web site

Mercury-Containing Products

Google Maps lookup of municipal and commercial drop-off recycling locations across Massachusetts.
Web page

Office Depot

Cell phones, computers and peripherals, cords and cables, CRT and LCD monitors, digital and video cameras, DVD and MP3 players, fax machines, inkjet and toner cartridges, pagers, PDAs, printers, rechargeable batteries, small TVs, telephones and VCRs.  In-store drop-off.
Office Depot web site

Radio Shack

Many but not all brands accepted.  Cameras, camcorders, cell phones, GPS systems, laptop computers, MP3 players and video game consoles. Mail in item(s) and receive a Radio Shack gift card based on condition and value of trade-in(s).
Radio Shack web site

Samsung

All Samsung products.  Free recycling at drop-off locations and events sponsored by Samsung, retailers and recyclers.
Samsung web site

Sony

All Sony products.  Consumers can recycle up to five units per day, free of charge, by dropping them off at designated Waste Management Inc. (WM) eCycling locations.
WM web site

Related: Massachusetts Locations
WM web site

Staples

Cell phones, inkjet and toner cartridges, pagers, PDAs and rechargeable batteries.  In-store drop-off.
Staples web site

Sprint

Cell phones, accessories, batteries and connection cards that are no longer being used.  In-store drop-off and mail-in.
Sprint web site

T-Mobile

Cell phones, accessories, batteries and PDAs.  In-store drop-off and mail-in.
T-Mobile web site

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Consumer Electronics Association (CEA)

Find more environmentally-friendly products and learn how to recycle old, unwanted units on this inustry-sponsored web site.
MyGreenElectronics.org web site

Earth 911: Recycling In Your Community

Search for local programs by ZIP Code and/or the item you want to recycle.
Web site

eBay ReThink

Information, tools and solutions that make it easy to find new users for idle computers and electronics, and to responsibly recycle unwanted products.
eBay ReThink web site

eCycling Central

Find reuse, recycling and donation programs  on this site sponsored by electronics and high-tech companies.
Electronic Industries Alliance web site

Health Care Without Harm

Learn about the health effects of lead, mercury and other toxics found in consumer electronics.
Health Care Without Harm web site

International Association of Electronics Recyclers (IAER) Directory

Search for electronics recyclers by name, location and items accepted.
IAER web site 

Rechargeable Battery Recycling Corporation

Industry-supported national program provides for recycling of rechargeable batteries that are commonly found in camcorders, cellular and cordless phones, cordless power tools, digital cameras, laptop computers and remote control toys.
RBRC web site

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA): Plug-In to eCycling

Partnership between EPA and electronics manufacturers to give consumers more donation and recycling opportunities.
EPA web site

Related: Plug-In Partners
EPA web site

Related: Recycling Your Cell Phone - It's An Easy Call
EPA web site

Wireless...The New Recyclable

Industry-supported web site connecting consumers to donation opportunities, mail-back programs and an online auction for selling old mobile phones.
RecycleWirelessPhones.com web site

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Cathode ray tubes (CRTs) - found in many television and computer monitor screens - have been banned from Massachusetts solid waste disposal and transfer facilities since April 2000.

CRT Reuse & Recycling: Questions & Answers

Web page

Recycling Options for Residents & Small Businesses

Web page

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