I recently did an interview for the Huffington Post where the reporter asked me what to do with non-everyday items. Sure, we all know to recycle paper, plastic, aluminum cans, etc. But what about things that you have to replace once-in-a-while like light bulbs, computers, mattresses, toner cartridges and even sneakers?
Like most people, I am quite busy and hate a big hassle. So I try to make recycling quite simple and convenient. And the good news here is that most of the time, its absolutely FREE! Many large chains like Wal-Mart, Staples, Home Depot and others have started recycling programs. Green Scout Report put together a quick cheat sheet with no hassle solutions the next time these non-everyday items start to pile up:
CELL PHONES:
- Wal-Mart: Simply print out FREE shipping label (click here) and mail it back to them.
- Apple will recycle your old iPod and cell phones for free. Visit Apple to find out how.
- Call2Recycle is a terrific organization and it is the only free rechargeable battery and cell phone collection program in the North America.It is one of the widest networks that can help you find a drop off location closest to where you live.
LIGHT BULBS:
1. IKEA offers free in-store CFL recycling; find a location near you.
2. ACE Hardware just upgraded its program to include stores across the U.S.; find one near you.
3. True Value Hardware accepts CFLs for recycling at many (but not quite all) of their locations; use their website's handy store finder
4. LampRecycle.org has an extensive list of the Association of Lighting and Mercury Recyclers (ALMR), a national organization whose member companies network with each other so that lamps from anywhere in the country can be collected and recycled.
5. Lightbulbrecycling.com can help if all else fails; they'll send you a handy, postage-paid plastic pail which will accommodate about 30 CFLs; once you fill it up, just call Fed-Ex for a pickup.
TV SETS:
Many municipalities have banned TVs from landfills so you can’t simply throw them out. Your old set may contain up to eight pounds of lead, a poison that can cause nervous system damage. So consider these options provided by major TV brands so that your old TV set does not leach lead into the environment:
- 200+ locations managed by Waste Management, a disposal and recycling firm.
- Drop off at no cost to you! Will accept other brands for a small fee
- With a new Sony purchased direct, they will remove an old set - Sony offers an online locator service to help find drop off sites. Visit Sony.
- Similar partnership with Waste Management to offer the program as Sony
- Covers LG, Zenith and Goldstar brands of TVs, monitors and other electronics.
- LG and Waste Management offer a spreadsheet of available sites. Visit LG.
- Formed their own company to manage electronic waste collection and disposal.
- Electronic Manufacturers Recycling Management Consumers can drop off TVs and other electronics from the three companies at no cost at sites across the country, which often accept other brands for a fee.
- Find a location at the consortium's Website called MRMRecycling.com.
- 150+ locations nationwide now accept Samsung TVs and other electronics for free. - Also accepts the Durabrand and Ilo TVs sold by Wal-Mart for free.
- Find the nearest drop-off location at the Samsung's Website.
RUNNING SHOES
Visit www.recycledrunners.com, the first online recycling and donation directory that helps people find local and international shoe recycling programs.
BIKES:
Most bikes can be refurbished for another user. So before you throw it out, think twice and donate. To donate a bike visit:
- Bikes For The World, a not-for-profit organization that collect unwanted bicycles and deliver it to community development programs assisting the poor in developing countries or in the Washington DC metropolitan area.
- Recycle your old bikes at the appropriately named Re-Cycle by visiting the Re-Cycle website
MATTRESSES:
Most companies that you buy mattresses from will take them back. Make sure you negotiate the sale with the company agreeing to recycle your old one. With the average mattress consisting of 23 cubic foot assembly of steel, wood, cotton and polyurethane, don’t be surprised if these are hard to recycle. But here are a few outlets:- Nine Live Mattress Recycling, Pomlico, S.C.
- Conigliaro Industries, Farmington, MA
- DR3, Oakland, CA
- For locations near you, visit Earth911.org.
COMPUTERS:
Apple and Dell both take their computers back if you make a purchase from them. Yep, that's a very young Steve Jobs above.
TechSoup, the technology resource for non-profits has compiled a comprehensive body of information to promote computer recycling and reuse. This site provides resources for those who would like to donate hardware, those who would like to acquire recycled hardware, and refurbishers.
TONER CARTRIDGES
Staples: Simply drop them off at your local Staples. I use their services all the time. You can also check out the programs under my General Technology Products section (below).
BATTERIES:
Photo courtesy of GoGreenLifestlyeRechargeable Battery Recycling Corporation (RBRC) RBRC can help you recycle portable rechargeable batteries commonly found in cordless power tools, cellular and cordless phones, laptop computers, camcorders, digital cameras, and remote control toys. Search for collection sites by zip code.
Call2Recycle is a terrific organization and it is the only free rechargeable battery and cell phone collection program in the North America.It is one of the widest networks that can help you find a drop off location closest to where you live.
GENERAL TECHNOLOGY PRODUCTS:
Includes: Mouse, Monitors, Fax Machines, MP3's, Calculators and anything you have questions on:
Office Depot Tech Recycling Service – offers tech recycling boxes between $5-$15 that you can fill up and bring to a location near you. Click here for a list of acceptable items.
Best Buy’s “Greener Together” Program is also a convenient option. To learn more, click here.
STILL NOT SURE? FOR GENERAL QUESTIONS:
And lastly, if you have general questions or want to learn more, the following resources are fantastic and you can find everything under the sun. Find a local program near you:
- Earth 911: Earth 911 has taken environmental hotlines, web sites and other information sources nationwide, and consolidated them into one website. You will find community-specific information on eCycling and environmental issues.
- My Green Electronics: provided by the Consumer Electronics Association, this site is a resource for consumers wishing to purchase green products and/or searching for local opportunities to recycle or donate used electronics.
- Electronic Industries Alliance's Consumer Education Initiative: helps you find reuse, recycling and donation programs for electronics products in your state.
- TechSoup: has compiled a comprehensive information to promote computer recycling and reuse
- Rechargeable Battery Recycling Corporation (RBRC):can help you recycle portable rechargeable batteries
Hope this helps your recycling efforts! Keep up the good work! I’d love to hear about any ideas that have worked for you! Leave us a comment!
Written by Justine Suh
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