Tech Recycling at Staples: Is it that easy?
EcoGeek recently posted about how Staples Tries to Make Recycling Easier by starting an “in-house” recycling program. Apparently, they are the first national chain to offer this service to customers. I have not visited Staples in quite awhile, neither in-store or online, so a recent inquiry has me realizing that the mega-chain has made some changes since I was last there.
Staples has, somewhat seamlessly, turned their “easy” tag line into a slick “eco-easy” campaign. It’s not their homepage sell but it is found here – with lots of “easy” eco highlights. Like eco-friendly products (pretty easy), easy ink recycling (hmm), recycled paper & supplies (easy), free cell phone recycling (easy?), greener copy & print center (I’m intrigued), corporate leadership (I like that one) and, the topic du jour, easy technology recycling – is it?
EcoGeek pointed out that Staples “found, after having a research firm survey some 1,000 adults online during October, that only 23 percent of us recycle old or unused electronics. Forty-one percent throw these items away or don’t get rid of them at all.” And “that between 2000 and 2007 an estimated 500 million computers have become obsolete.”
So Staples is offering “in-house” recycling where you can recycle anything tech for a small fee. Great! Sounds good. Of course, tech recycling is a challenging endeavor. Jennifer Van der Meer of o2-NYC recently tackled this subject in TakeBack My TV: Think Before You Recycle. Her article is an eye-opening look at the different aspects of e-waste – everything from landfills to exporting to prison labor.
The quality, or greenness I guess, of the recycling service depends on the recycling company. Staples has partnered with Amandi (Asset Management and Disposition Services) – a product of a merge between the nations leading electronic recyclers Envirocycle, Inc, and Nxtcycle, Inc. Amandi is a national e-waste recycling infrastructure with over 500,000 square feet of production and warehouse space in 10 operations in North America. Other than the basics, I don’t know much about Amandi. I am looking into the company and will let you know what, if anything, I find out.
The Staples program sounds good but, honestly, I don’t know for sure what happens after you part ways with your old devices and leave them in the hands of the store. I can tell you that they are not the only game in town.
I have heard good things about Green Citizen in San Francisco, if that’s your recycling stomping ground. Another good resource for tech recycling is eRecycle.org – they are set up to help you find a responsible e-waste recycling location near you.
Jennifer Van der Meer’s article TakeBack My TV: Think Before You Recycle has some great insight on how to take charge of your tech e-waste, including lots of links to initiatives that are making a difference. Also useful, How to E-Cycle Your Gadgets and E-Cycling Gets Even Greener, both at Earth2Tech.
The last time I went to get my ink refilled the Staples didn’t have a refill station. Then they were out of salvaged cartridges. Go Staples! I think that we do need to seriously look at companies before sending out tech recycling in because of all the companies sending tech stuff overseas. We have to be careful.
I just did some posts about this at my office blog and a lot companies are irresponsible. 80% of our tech trash ends up on foreign shores.
The Basel Action Network (BAN) is another good resource — they fight tech and toxic dumping.
Absolutely, Jennifer! My gut says be wary of Staples recycling. I’ve contacted some of the companies involved with this program but haven’t gotten answers, to what I think are simple questions. Like do you send toxic e-waste overseas?
BAN is awesome. Jennifer Van Der Meer’s article – which I highly recommend – has quite a bit on BAN’s initiatives.
On the web it’s http://www.ban.org/