Sony's Takeback Program

TV recycling is available only to consumers. The other programs can be used by anyone.

Policy: Sony has signed our "Manufacturer's Commitment to Responsible E-Waste Recycling," which says that they will not export their e-waste from the U.S. to developing countries. This is a very strong policy.

Proof: How can you tell if they are living up to this policy? The only way we can know whether a company's recycling vendors are actually adhering to a responsible policy is through certified audits and transparent reporting. The recyclers should be certified under an independent accredited program, using third party auditors, as adhering to high standards, such as the e-Stewards program.

Sony works with the following recyclers, but none of them are certified to the new e-Stewards standard.

Recycler for TV and large product drop off program: Waste Management

Recycler for mail back and Green Fill program: Eco International

Recycler for trade-in program: Sony contracts the trade up program to Market Velocity. Market Velocity does not disclose its recycling vendors. It's website makes the following statement:

"Products that no longer have a trade-in value are recycled responsibility according to the latest guidelines published by the EPA." Unfortunately, the EPA has very few guidelines about recycling, so this is a very weak statement.

Sony was the first TV company in the US to offer free TV takeback. Sony has partnered with Waste Management’s Recycle America program to offer free takeback of their old products. Sony will accept any product with Sony’s name on it for free at these collection sites. They will take other brands for a fee.

Consumers must take their TVs or other large Sony products to a designated collection site. The list of sites can be found on the Sony website, or call Waste Management for details on locations: 877-439-2795. They are adding new sites frequently, so check back periodically for new locations.

You can use this site to enter your zip code and find the closest site to you, except if you live in MA or WA, see below.

Or if you purchase a Sony TV from Sony Style and get their premiere in-home delivery service, they will remove and recycle your old TV (any brand) for free (except Alaska and Hawaii).

If you live in Maine or Washington State, Sony's location list doesn't show all the options available to you. (There are shared collection sites, not specific to Sony, that don't show up on Sony's website.) Use these links:

Washington Collection Sites

Maine Sites - Here's a list of all the Maine municipal collection sites (opens an excel sheet) although some charge fees.

Sony has a different program for small electronics (although you can take small Sony products to the same sites above that take TVs.) 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.

Sony also has a “trade-up” program  - if you are buying a new Sony product,  you may be able to get trade-in value from old IT or professional equipment (like audio, photo equipment) towards your purchase. Learn more here.

Sony recycling website

Sony trade-in website