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Q: How do I recycle personal e-Waste?

  • Where can I recycle e-Waste?
  • Can I recycle personal electronics in the TechnoTrash Bins?

Context

Recycling electronics prevents valuable [and hazardous] materials from going into the waste stream. Consumers now have many options to recycle or donate for reuse their used electronics. Many computer, TV, and cell phone manufacturers, as well as electronics retailers offer some kind of take back program or sponsor recycling events. from EPA eCycling

MIT e-Waste can be recycled through Facilities, but personal equipment should be recycled through the numerous offerings available through cities, manufactures and retailers. See How Do I Get Rid of My Old Computer Equipment? for more details on recycling MIT equipment.

Answer

Depending on where you live, your city or town may provide free electronic waste recycling. Check with your municipality's DPW for more details. Here are some local towns that offer some forms of e-Waste Recycling.

Municipality (click on city for more details) Offers e-Waste Recycling How to Recycle E-Waste
City of Cambridge Refers resident to major electronic retailers like Staples, Best Buy and Apple Bring small electronics like cords and phones to Recycling Center during normal business hours
City of Somerville Provides free electronics recycling for Somerville residents and businesses Bring e-Waste to DPW Yard (1 Franey Rd.) M-Fam 8-4pm

You can also bring your old electronics to a number of different electronic retailers in Cambridge and the surround Boston area including Apple, Staples and Best Buy.

Apple's e-Waste Recycling

Every Apple Retail Store in the world will take back Apple products for free, responsible recycling. If there is some value left, they may give you an Apple Gift Card in exchange. They will also take PCs from other manufactures to recycle.

Apple's commitment to recycling
Apple's Reuse & Recycling Program

Best Buy Electronics Recycling

Best Buy accepts most electronics and large appliances, with a few exceptions, and will take them at no charge. 

Limit 3 per household per day
see Best Buy Recycling Site or visit BestBuy.com and search on "recycling." for more details and exclusions

Staples Easy on the Planet Recycling

Free technology recycling
Bring in your old office technology products to your local Staples and we'll responsibly and securely recycle them at no cost to you — any brand, any condition, even if you purchased it somewhere else. See the chart below for accepted technology products.

Staples Accepts:

  • Desktop and all-in-one computers
  • Laptops, tablets, eReaders
  • Monitors
  • Desktop printers, copiers, scanners, faxes, multifunction devices
  • Shredders
  • UPS/battery backup devices (with or without included battery)
  • Computer peripherals including mice, keyboards, modems, routers and computer speakers
  • Small electronics including mobile phones, MP3 players/iPods, calculators, GPS devices, digital cameras, camcorders and cordless phones
  • Digital projectors, CD/DVD/Blu-ray players, gaming devices, A/V receivers, video streaming devices
  • External hard drives and small servers
  • Rechargeable batteries (if 11 pounds or less)

IS&T Contributions

Documentation and information provided by IS&T staff members


Last Modified:

April 24, 2014

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