Disposing of Computers, Televisions, and Other Electronics
April 4, 2013--A free public e-Waste Collection Day is to be held on Saturday, April 27, 9am-2pm at Pioneer High School, 601 W. Stadium Blvd., Ann Arbor, MI 48103 (enter via Main St. driveway). This annual event is coordinated by the University of Michigan’s Office of Sustainability. Details are posted online.
Michigan’s e-waste takeback law requires free and convenient take-back programs to be established by manufacturers to ensure that all televisions, computers, and printers are fully recycled.
The following programs are now available in the Ann Arbor area.
Best Buy - 3100 Lohr Rd., 741.1357, www.bestbuy.com Accepts all televisions, computers, printers, scanners, peripherals, cell phones, and many other electronics for free recycling.
Drop-Off Station - 2950 E. Ellsworth, 971.9400, www.recycleannarbor.org $3 entry fee. Accepts computers, printers, scanners, televisions, cell phones, and many other electronics for recycling. Some fees may apply.
Goodwill - 557 E Michigan Ave. Saline. 429.2789, www.goodwillsemi.org. In partnership with Dell, all Goodwill locations will accept computers, printers, scanners, cell phones, and most peripherals for free recycling. Goodwill free computer recycling website.
Habitat for Humanity ReStore - 170 Aprill Drive, 822.1530, www.h4h.org/restore/. In partnership with Vintage Tech Recyclers, this location accepts computers, televisions, peripherals, cell phones, audio equipment and selected other electronics for free recycling.
Other Options
- There are several mail-back options for computers and televisions offered by the different manufacturers posted at www.michigan.gov/deqewaste. Periodic computer and television collection-day events are held in the area.
- Subscribe to the City of Ann Arbor’s free e-mail service for recycling updates via the GovDelivery red envelope on the web page at www.a2gov.org/recycle.
- Some stores, such as Big Georges and Best Buy, will pick up an old television for recycling when a customer buys a new TV to be delivered.
- Before you recycle your computer, be sure to erase the unit’s hard drive to eliminate personal data. Best Buy’s website offers a two-minute video showing how to erase data from a hard drive under “recycling.”
- Due to the toxic chemicals that can be released when computer monitors and televisions are crushed, these items are prohibited from Ann Arbor’s trash and recycling carts and dumpster collection program.
- Special collection day events will be posted here as information is available.
last updated May 2012