News About Electronics Recycling……..

Used computer equipment is a rapidly growing source of waste in Texas and across the country. While these computers contain valuable resources that can be reused or recycled, historically, rates for reusing and recycling used computer equipment have remained low. That is because there were few choices available to consumers to recycle those products.

Starting in September 2008, Texas consumers were provided new options to have their used computer equipment collected and recycled for free. HB 2714, which became effective September 1, requires computer manufacturers selling in the state to establish free and convenient programs to collect and recycle their own brand of desktops, laptops and monitors sold to consumers. It also requires retailers selling computer equipment to sell only the products of those manufacturers who develop such recycling programs and file their recovery plans with the State of Texas. Here are some of the highlights of the law:

Each manufacturer is responsible only for its own brand(s) of computer equipment. The rules define computer equipment as: a monitor, a desktop computer or laptop, and an accompanying keyboard and mouse made by the same manufacturer.

Manufacturers are required to offer collection and recycling only for computer equipment purchased primarily for personal or home-business use, regardless of when it was sold, not just computer equipment purchased after September 1, 2008.

Consumers are responsible for any confidential information left on the computer equipment.

Retailers are not permitted to sell any new computer equipment from a manufacturer unless the manufacturer appears on the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) list of manufacturers that have submitted a recovery plan and notification of a compliant collection program to the TCEQ. The list is updated regularly by TCEQ as new information is received from manufacturers. The list is available on the TCEQ web site:

Consumers should contact the retailer where the equipment was purchased or the manufacturer for their computer equipment for information about their recycling options.

Why do consumers need to recycle computers instead of placing them in the landfill?

Electronic equipment contains many toxic materials that are harmful to humans and the environment. Over 1,000 materials are used to make electronic products and their components like semiconductor chips, circuit boards, and disk drives. Computer monitors contain several pounds of lead, and if they go the landfill, that lead can potentially leach into water sources. Some states even ban them from their landfills. Many of the heavy metals found in landfills (such as lead, mercury and cadmium) come from electronic equipment discarded there.

Where can Lewisville residents recycle their computers?

TCEQ is finding that some manufacturers and retailers are slow to respond to the computer recycling regulations, but there are some options currently available in Lewisville. Residents are encouraged to contact local retailers who sell computer equipment and manufacturers on the TCEQ list to request recycling options be made available locally for their products.

Lewisville Goodwill Retail Center
919 W. Main Street
Lewisville 75067
Phone: 972-436-3181

Goodwill Industries and Dell have partnered to create RECONNECT, a free program for consumers to reuse and responsibly recycle unwanted electronics. It’s easy and it’s free. Simply bring in your computer equipment to your local Goodwill store. Proceeds from resale value of donations will be returned to Goodwill Industries to support their mission of creating job opportunities for individuals with barriers to employment. Visit the RECONNECT web site for more information:

Staples
997 W. Valley Ridge
Lewisville 75067
972-353-3877

Staples makes it easy for customers to recycle e–waste by simply bringing their used computers, monitors, laptops, and desktop printers, faxes and all–in–ones to any Staples store. All brands are accepted, regardless of whether the equipment was purchased at Staples. Smaller computer peripherals such as keyboards, mice, and speakers are accepted at no charge. A recycling fee of $10 per piece of large equipment is charged to cover handling, transport, product disassembly and recycling.

Other Items Accepted for Recycling:

Ink and Toner Cartridges
PDAs
Cell Phones
Pagers
Digital Cameras
Rechargeable Batteries

http://www.staples.com/sbd/content/about/soul/recycling.html

Office Depot
602 FM 3040
Lewisville 75067
972-315-0202

Customers can recycle their computers and certain related electronic equipment by purchasing a box, filling it, and bringing it in to the store for shipment. Any brand is accepted. Check out Office Depot’s web site for more information and for a complete list of acceptable items:

Best Buy
2601 S. Stemmons
Lewisville 75067
214-488-8624
Beginning on February 15, Best Buy will begin accepting up to two devices a day at any of its 1,006 stores throughout the U.S. They will accept most consumer electronics, including televisions and monitors up to 32 inches, desktop computers, notebooks, videocassette recorders, DVD players and phones. A $10 recycling fee will apply to any unit with screens, such as televisions and computers. However, customers instantly will receive a $10 Best Buy gift card in exchange for the recycling fee. The fee does not apply in California or for any of Best Buy's exclusive-branded products, such as Insignia, Dynex and VPR Matrix. Appliances are not covered under the program.

Source: Waste & Recycling New