Best Buy Takes Recycling Program Nationwide

Best Buy plans to expand its consumer electronics recycling program to over 1,000 U.S. stores on February 15, 2009.

Back in the middle of 2008, electronics retailer Best Buy announced a trial consumer electronics recycling program at 117 of its stores; the program must be successful (or at least good public relations) because the retailing giant has now announced it plans to offer electronics recycling at its 1,006 U.S. retail locations beginning February 15, 2009. The company plans to expand the operations to Puerto Rico during its 2010 fiscal year.

The program enables consumers to bring in up to two consumer electronics items per day for recycling at any Best Buy location. Best Buy will charge $10 for recycling items with screens (like televisions, monitors, and laptop displays, but customers immediately get a $10 Best Buy gift card when they pay the recycling fee. (The fee doesn’t apply in California, or for Best Buy’s own brand-exclusive products.)

Best Buy isn’t taking console TVs or televisions over 32 inches in size; the program also can’t handle appliances or other items with freon (older air conditioners, dehumidifiers, and mini-fridges), microwave ovens, or appliances. However, for $100 Best buy will arrange a home visit to remove up to two appliances and/or televisions (customers can add more items for $20 apiece), and Best Buy will remove an older appliance or TV from a customer’s home for free recycling with the purchase and delivery of a new one.