Home Office Answers

Here is a press release from Best Buy today June 2.

If you are in a test city please send us reviews on how the program worked for you.

Program to expand the electronics, appliance recycling options available to consumers

MINNEAPOLIS, June 2 – Best Buy Co., Inc. (NYSE:BBY) has launched a test of its newest electronics recycling program to in 117 U.S. stores, a complementary addition to the existing programs offered by Best Buy stores to help consumers take environmentally-responsible action with their old electronics.Starting June 1, 117 stores in the Baltimore, San Francisco, and Minnesota markets are inviting customers to bring in no more than two (2) units per day, per household, for recycling at no charge. Customers can bring items such as televisions and monitors up to 32”, computers, phones, cameras, and other electronics devices and peripherals in for recycling.

The following items cannot be accepted through this program:

• Televisions or monitor screens greater than 32”
• Console televisions
• Air conditioners
• Microwaves
• Appliances (customers are invited instead to use Best Buy’s appliance haul-away and pick-up programs)

Best Buy will work with its stores, recycling partners, and manufacturers to evaluate the success of the test and determine options for scaling it across the U.S.

Meanwhile, Best Buy continues to offer these electronics and appliance recycling options, available in every U.S. store:

• Recycling kiosks: at the front of every store, ink cartridges, rechargeable batteries, cell phones, CDs, DVDs, and PDA/smart phones can be dropped off for free recycling
• Appliance and television haul-away: Best Buy will remove an old or obsolete appliance or television free of charge from a consumers’ home when a new product is purchased and delivered by Best Buy Home Delivery or Geek Squad Home Theater Installation Service.
• Appliance and television pick-up: For $100, Best Buy will arrange a home visit to remove up to two (2) appliance units and/or televisions for recycling, with $20 for each additional unit.
• Tech Trade-In: Visit www.bestbuytradein.com to trade in select gently used electronics for a Best Buy gift card.

As You Sow, an investor corporate accountability group that engaged with Best Buy on its electronics recycling programs, praised the company’s action.  “We salute Best Buy for taking the initiative to offer free electronics take back at a number of its stores,” said Conrad MacKerron, director of corporate social responsibility, As You Sow.  “Making electronics recycling almost as easy as purchasing these goods has the potential to simplify recycling for millions of consumers who may be confused about where to return end-of-life goods in their area.”

About Best Buy Co., Inc.

Best Buy Co., Inc. (NYSE:BBY) operates an international portfolio of brands with a commitment to growth and innovation.  Our employees strive to provide customers around the world with superior experiences by responding to their unique needs and aspirations.  We sell consumer electronics, home-office products, entertainment software, appliances and related services through nearly 1,300 retail stores across the United States, throughout Canada and in China. Our multi-channel operations include: Best Buy (BestBuy.com, BestBuy.ca and BestBuy.com.cn), Future Shop (FutureShop.ca), Geek Squad (GeekSquad.com and GeekSquad.ca), Pacific Sales Kitchen and Bath Centers (PacificSales.com), Magnolia Audio Video (Magnoliaav.com), Jiangsu Five Star Appliance Co. (Five-Star.cn) and Speakeasy (Speakeasy.net). Best Buy supports the communities in which its employees work and live through volunteerism and grants that benefit children and education

  Trade-Ins’ are not just for cars anymore. 
Similar to the way you trade in your car when you are ready for a newer model it is now possible to trade in some of your used office electronics and receive gift cards in exchange at both Best Buy and Circuit City.

Of course if you have the time and inclination you can probably sell your used electronics on EBay or thru another auction venue. 

The trade-in option is convenient, quick and easy, plus you can find out up front how much your gift card will be issued for.  Unlike auctions, where if you don’t have a reserve, you may get less than you expected.

Best Buy and Circuit City offer similar programs to trade in your office electronics.

Best Buy Trade In

Circuit City Trade In

Best Buy goes a step further with older equipment that they do not accept for trade in.  You may not be able to get a gift card but if it is less than 70 pounds they may send you a free shipping pick up ticket to have the item recycled at no cost to you. 

I am excited to see the stores making it easy for us to make our home office green.  With the easy trade in and recycling programs I have reviewed I don’t think I’ll ever need to throw away an office electronic again.

Do you know of other trade in or recycling programs?  Please tell me about them.