Electronics Recycling in NY
October 15, 2010
Here are a few options on where to recycle your Mac and PC computers as well as other electronics such as monitors, printers, fax machines, game consoles, and CD players.
Remember to ALWAYS remove or secure-erase the hard drive on any computer before you recycle or donate it. If you need help with this please email us at help@ivanexpert.com or call us at (212) 353-3310.
COMMUNITY ORGANIZATIONS
Lower East Side Ecology Center
They organize periodic electronics recycling events in all 5 boroughs, usually at a centrally located spot such as Union Square. They will take computers, monitors, printers, VCRs, and other electronics from homes only; no businesses. Also note that they won’t take microwaves, refrigerators, or other home applicances. Sign up for their e-newsletter or check their online calendar regularly for upcoming recycling dates.
Recycle This raises awareness around recycling in New York City. In partnership with Per Scolas, a nonprofit organization that brings technology to low-income families in the South Bronx, they hold periodic recycling events. Check their calendar for more information. Items can be dropped off at Per Scolas; they request a cash donation for each item in excess of 5.
Recycle Brooklyn
They have a calendar of upcoming electronics recycling dates and locations in Brooklyn.
STORES
Best Buy will accept 2 electronics items per household per day, if you drop them off. They charge $10 for TVs under 32”, CRTs, monitors, and laptops but will give you a $10 Best Buy gift card. They will not take hard drives. All TVs larger than 32” plus all appliances can be arranged for pickup for $100 for 2 items, $20 for each additional item. Or if you purchase a TV or appliance from them, they will remove the old unit at no charge when the new unit is delivered. Best Buy also has a free kiosk in each store for recycling inkjet cartridges, cell phones, batteries, smartphones, and other small items.
Staples will accept computers, monitors, desktop printers, and fax machines at any store. They charge $10 per large piece of equipment; small items such as keyboards, mice, and speakers are free. They also will recycle (at no charge) ink cartridges, cell phones, rechargeable batteries, digital cameras, and pagers.
MANUFACTURERS
Many computer and electronics manufacturers have take-back programs, sometimes for a fee. Contact the manufacturers for their policies.
FOR MORE INFO
The NYC WasteLe$$ program page has additional information about recycling numerous products.
Author: Caroline
Before you choose to dispose of your old computer equipment I would recommend you try the following … 1) Add additional memory to your computer, 2) clean the fan filters and replace any motherboard battery (very cheap), 3) Upgrade the hard drive (if necessary),reinstall the opterating system, perform the windows updates then install a good anti virus package. Your computer should now be much healthier and good for another year or two.
Thanks for these great ideas. We don’t generally recommend anti-virus software for the Mac, but if you have a PC, by all means you need it.
Thanks for this great idea! The content was really very interesting.I am really thankful to you for providing this unique information about Computer recycling. Please keep sharing more and more information……
I help support computer recycling. It does Mother Nature a big favor. I really helps the environment quite a lot. Many thanks for sharing such educational information. I will be sharing this to others. Keep sharing very helpful posts. =)
I do think the need to recycle must form a sustained business policy to have any scope for success.