Ann Arbor, and many other cities, usually have regular or annual electronics recycling programs. That old computer, laptop, DVD player, iPhone or TV you have sitting around in your closet could be broken down into raw materials and sold back into the manufacturing supply chain — that is, if you take it someplace to be recycled and not put in a landfill.
The challenge is that some electronic recycling centers only want relatively new equipment (less than 10 years old), others will take old equipment if they work, and others want you to take steps to ‘wipe it clean’ before you recycle. That’s when inertia sets in. It takes time to sort through the details of what you have, if it works, who takes what, and when do they take it, so everything stays in your closet.
Did you know that there are businesses that will accept your equipment with no issue? It does not matter the brand or where it was purchased. All you have to do is drop it off at the store and they do the rest. Some equipment may even result in a store credit.
Here are just a few:
Staples will accept most electronics. A few exceptions are appliances and batteries.
BestBuy will recycle up to 3 electronic devices per day. Recycling a network modem or storage device gets you a rebate (conditions apply of course). They will come to your home to recycle larger TVs and appliances for a small fee.
Office Depot offers a trade-in value on newer electronic equipment and, if your equipment has no trade-in value, will recycle it responsibility.
Apple will trade in eligible Apple devices for credit or will recycle ineligible equipment for free. The best part is that Apple will ship you a return carton and all you have to do is drop it off at an Apple store or FedEx location.
No matter the brand or condition, you can easily and responsibly recycle computer equipment for the good of the planet.