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Manufacturer Takeback Programs

Most of the computer companies and some TV companies have voluntary takeback programs. Here’s a quick summary of their programs. Click on the “more details” link for more info on each program, including the “fine print.”

Are we endorsing these programs?

No. We can only endorse takeback programs which use certified e-Stewards – recyclers which have been audited by accredited independent auditors to the high e-Stewards standard, which does not allow these programs to export e-waste to developing countries. It’s a new program, and we hope these manufacturers will require their recyclers to become e-Steward certified. Learn more about the e-Stewards program.

Currently, none of these companies are only using certified e-Stewards although some are using a few e-Stewards. Some of these manufacturers have public policies stating that they are not exporting, but the only way we can be sure is if these companies use recyclers who are certified e-Stewards. See more information on these companies’ export policies, and how you can help encourage them to use vendors who do not export.

Company Takeback Program Summary
Acer Acer has only recently launched a takeback program for the Acer brand here. You mail back your old product to them. They may charge $15 to $40 for shipping. But Acer does not have a policy against exporting toxic e-waste to developing nations. Therefore, we recommend that you do not use the Acer takeback program until they toughen their export policies.

Gateway and eMachines ( acquired by Acer) will recycle their brands using the Dealtree trade-in program, mailback. If your item has no trade in value, they will recycle it for free if it’s a Gateway, Gateway 2000, or eMachine.

More details on Acer’s programs.
Apple Computers. Apple has recently launched in a trade in program for working computers – MACs or PCs, either desktop or notebooks. If your computer has any reuse value, send it to them, and they will send you an Apple gift card for that value. If the computer is not working, they will recycle it for free if it’s an Apple, or if you are buying a new Apple computer system. Otherwise it will cost $30 to use their service for recycling PC computers and monitors.

iPods and iPhones. They accept iPods for recycling in their stores (and you get a 10% discount towards a new one). Or you can mail back iPods and cell phones (any maker) for free. Download mailing label for iPods and cell phones.

Residents of Missouri, North Carolina, Oklahoma, Texas, and Virgina may recycle their Apple or NeXT computers/monitors/mice/keyboards by filling out the request form to receive free shipping, because of laws passed in those states. Details.

More details on Apple’s takeback program .
Best Buy Best Buy has been the leading retailer in the U.S. for electronics takeback programs.  Best Buy’s house brands (ones they manufacture) are Insignia, Dynex, and VPR Matrix. Best Buy will take back those brands of electronics for free at any Best Buy store. They will also take back other brands’ electronic products, mostly for free, but TV recycling costs $10. More details.
Dell Dell takes back anything with Dell’s name on it for free, via it’s mailback program (free shipping).

But most consumers won’t use mail back programs. Unlike most other computer companies, Dell has augmented its mailback program by offering an extensive network of collection sites in many states, via partnerships with Staples and  Goodwills in many states. Dell has been a leading company in expanding its takeback collection network each year.

Staples. You can drop off Dell computers, monitors, laptops, printers, and faxes for free, or other brands for $10.

Dell also partners with Goodwill in many cities, accepting used computer equipment under their Reconnect program. Check here for participating Goodwill locations and a list of what they accept.

More details on Dell’s takeback program.
Funai Funai is a Japanese company which now makes TVs for Philips in the US. They own other brands including Sylvania and Emerson. They have no takeback program.
Goldstar For GoldStar TV recycling, see LG (which owns GoldStar).
Hitachi Hitachi has no voluntary takeback program.
HP HP has a buy-back program for old electronic products, which they hope to resell or use for parts. You can use their online calculator to see if your products (any brand) have value. If they do, you ship them for free, and HP will send you a check. If not, they will recycle HP and Compaq branded products for free, and other brands for a fee, but either way, you pay the shipping.
They also offer free recycling (and free mailback) of used toner or inkjet cartridges.
More details on HP’s takeback program.
JVC JVC has no voluntary takeback program. They do provide takeback in states whose laws require it.
Lenovo Lenovo has a free mail back recycling program for Lenovo equipment, including free shipping.
More details on Lenovo’s takeback program.
LG LG’s program includes takeback of Zenith and GoldStar TVs. To recycle an LG, Zenith or GoldStar TV for free, you must drop off products at LG’s designated collection sites.

More details on LG’s takeback program.
Mitsubishi Mitsubishi now participates in the MRM recycling system. To recycle a Mistubishi TV for free, you must drop it off at an MRM collection site.
Panasonic Recycle Panasonic Toughbooks using their mail back program here.

To recycle Panasonic TVs or other Panasonic consumer electronics for free, you must take them to one of the collection sites operated by the MRM recycling program. (Panasonic owns MRM along with Sharp and Toshiba.)
Philips Philips has no voluntary takeback program.
Samsung Consumer electronics – Televisions, Digital Cameras, Camcorders, Home Theater, Blu-ray and DVD players, printers, monitors, notebooks. To recycle Samsung TVs and other items listed above for free, you must take them to one of Samsung’s recycling locations. Find Samsung recycling locations.

Monitors and printers can also be mailed back to Samsung. Details here.

For business equipment recycling, see Samsung’s business recycling program here.

View Samsung’s recycling website for more info.

More details on Samsung’s recycling program.
Sharp To recycle Sharp TVs and other Sharp consumer electronics for free, you must take them to one of the collection sites operated by the MRM recycling program. (Sharp owns MRM along with Panasonic and Toshiba.)
Sony Small electronics collection: Sony has installed “GreenFill” collection boxes in retail stores across the country, where you can take your small electronics (any brand, not just Sony) for free recycling. They accept cameras, camcorders, cordless phones, cell phones, PDAs, game devices, digital picture frames, GPS, recorders and microphones, small laptops, alarm clocks and small audio, rechargeable batteries.

TVs and large electronics collection: To recycle Sony TVs and other large electronics, you must take them to a Sony product drop off sites around the country. Sony will take back its own branded products for free (and other brands for a fee) at these locations.

Find Sony recycling locations. View Sony’s recycling website for more info.

Residents of TX, WV, OK, RI, VA – Sony offers mail back computer recycling in some states, which require manufacturer takeback programs by law. Learn about Sony’s ECO Mail Back Program in TX, WV, OK, RI, VA.

More details information on Sony’s recycling program.
Target Target makes its own house brand of electronics, but Target has no takeback program for those products. (This is disappointing, as both Best Buy and Walmart will take back their house brands for free.)
Toshiba Small electronics: Toshiba takes back laptops and other smaller electronics using a company called Dealtree (now owned by Best Buy) which allows you to trade in your products for cash. You pay to ship them to Dealtree, and if they have value, they send you a check. Dealtree has no information on its website about what they do with products that can’t be reused and must be recycled, however.

TVs and large electronics: To recycle Toshiba TVs and other larger Toshiba electronics for free, you must take them to one of the collection sites operated by the MRM recycling program. (Toshiba owns MRM along with Panasonic and Sharp.)
Vizio Vizio now participates in the MRM recycling system. To recycle a Vizio TV for free, you must drop it off at an MRM collection site.
Westinghouse Westinghouse has no voluntary takeback program.
Zenith For Zenith TV recycling, see LG (which owns Zenith).