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Staples starts computer recycle program

Slimy   on 21 May 2007 - 18:42 · 11 comments & 5725 views

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Framingham-based Staples Incorporated is expanding its electronics waste recycling program by accepting used computers and monitors of any make that can now be dropped off for a $10 fee at any of the office products chain’s 1,400 U.S. locations during store hours. The company is also planning the expansion of a four-year-old program allowing customers to drop off smaller devices such as cell phones, pagers and digital cameras for free, regardless of the brand or whether the device was bought at Staples. The expanded program will make Staples the first national retailer to accept computers for recycling on a daily, ongoing basis, said Mark Buckley, Staples’ vice president of environmental affairs. Televisions and floor-model copiers won’t be taken. The computer drop-off program isn’t being offered in the 21 countries outside the United States where Staples operates.

Staples, which stands to boost customer traffic from people turning in old devices, says the $10 fee for large items will defray recycling costs. “When you start to talk about a heavy monitor and a large tower unit for a desktop computer, obviously there is a cost in handling, recycling and shipping,” Buckley said. Staples said its program will ship the devices for domestic recycling by Vestal, N.Y.-based Amandi Services, which Staples calls “one of the country’s most experienced and innovative electronics recyclers” which complies with federal standards for electronics recycling and will take steps to ensure personal data stored on old computers aren’t compromised.

News source: MSNBC

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(2 replies) #1 Express on 21 May 2007 - 18:46
More e-waste for Africa?
#1.1 phantasmorph on 21 May 2007 - 18:52
I'd be interested in hearing your perfect solution, if you have time.
#1.2 vetmarkjensen on 21 May 2007 - 19:02
Quote - (phantasmorph said @ #1.1)
I'd be interested in hearing your perfect solution, if you have time.
The "perfect" solution would be to have a reduced customer requirement for the "latest and greatest" hardware. Not going to happen in the real world, though. Companies have to keep sales going to increase profits. And third-world countries get to walk around piles of broken glass and rusted PC cases.

Money. It makes the world go around, no?

How about the idea of charging an extra $300 for every computer purchased as a replacement for one under 3 years old? Totally irrational and un-enforceable, but just an item that would reduce the upgrade rate, and provide funding to properly compact and recycle the steel components, recycle the glass and so forth.
(1 reply) #2 Netrack on 21 May 2007 - 18:57
is it $10 per item, or $10 per visit of things to drop off?
#2.1 oddcrap on 22 May 2007 - 05:35
Quote - (Netrack said @ #2)
is it $10 per item, or $10 per visit of things to drop off?


According to my manager, its $10 per Computer and Monitor (bundled) each visit. We're already accepting old ink cartridges, this will just be more of a hassle to lug back to the stockroom.
#3 Diaboli on 21 May 2007 - 19:52
third world countries are that way for a reason
cause we keep them that way...kinda sad
#4 Aq3e on 21 May 2007 - 22:25
I live in Framingham, Staples head Corp is about a mile from me, crazy news.[b]
(1 reply) #5 _dandy_ on 21 May 2007 - 22:47
> will take steps to ensure personal data stored on old computers aren’t compromised.

Yeah, right.

There's no way in hell they'll do anything to securely wipe your old data for a fraction of your $10.
#5.1 Aleck79 on 22 May 2007 - 01:57
a jack hammer, or some device to smash it into a million pieces would work... and cost effective
#6 solardog on 21 May 2007 - 23:20
Great now I can stop burying my old compujunk behind the old folks home.
#7 Izlude on 22 May 2007 - 19:02
10 dollar fee??? I thought I was supposed to get paid for turning in my precious lead filled monitor? I think I'll pass and turn my old CRT into a high powered proton beam!

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