Electronics

Electronics Recycling

• Bridges to Digital Excellence, Inc. eCycling: 153 Main St., Benton Harbor. 757-0218. www.pointclickachieve.org. Hours Tue-Fri 9am-4pm (special arrangements for drop-off outside normal business hours and pick-ups can be arranged). and special collection events throughout Berrien County. BDE accepts consumer electronics (anything with a cord) for recycling. BDE is a 501c3 non-profit organization that provides computers to local families, IT support for organizations, and eCycling which provides job training opportunities. Businesses can join the Responsible Recycler program, call for details.  Additional services are available. Purchase used electronics at the eThrift Store, 155 W. Main, Benton Harbor.
• Gateway Main: 201 Sylvester St., Berrien Springs. 471-2897. Open M-F 8am - 4 pm. Accepts consumer electronics (anything with a cord) for recycling (except Freon appliances). Electronics recycled through Bridges to Digital Excellence.
• Goodwill Stores: Goodwill stores in Michigan will accept working and non-working computers for recycling through a program called RECONNECT, which is a partnership between Goodwill Michigan, Dell Computers, and Great Lakes Recycling. Goodwill will accept other working electronics in good, resalable condition. For a list of Goodwill stores, see HOUSEHOLD GOODS in this guide.
• Green Earth Electronics Recycling: 3621 Tennis Court Dr., St. Joseph. 326-1232. Email jeff@greenearth1.com. Drop-offs accepted by appointment. Community collection events will be held through the year - call for event info. Recycling services provided to residents, businesses, and institutions. Companies may call or email pickup@greenearth1.com for pick-up service options. Accepts consumer and business electronics (anything with a cord). Accepts Freon appliances, too. There is a hazardous disposal fee for CRT monitors ($5) and tube TV's ($10). All hard drives are wiped to Department of Defense specifications or shredded.
• Michiana Metal and Scrap Recycling: 800 Carberry Rd., Niles. 269-687-5865. Hours M-F 8 a.m. - 3:30 p.m., Sat. 8-10:30 a.m. Accepts computers and cell phones only.
• Niles District Library: 620 E. Main St., Niles. 683-8545. Accepts consumer electronics, anything with a cord, except Freon appliances. Material recycled through Bridges to Digital Excellence.
• Radio Shack: 722 S. 11th St., Niles. 684-7368. Accepts small electronics/e-waste including radios, telephones, monitors, printers, cameras, computer accessories, remote controls, headphones, and any small device with a cord or operating on batteries. Also accepted are power cords, cables, wires and other connections for TVs, computers, etc.
• Reduce, Reuse, Recycle Day @ Lake MI College: April 11, 2012, 3-7 p.m. Accepts all consumer electronics.
• St. Joseph Drop-off Recycle Station: 1160 Broad Street, at entrance to St. Joseph Public Works facility. Open 1st & 3rd Sat. of the month 9:30am-Noon and 3rd Wed. of the month 5-6pm. Accepts consumer electronics, anything with a cord, except Freon appliances. Material recycled through Bridges to Digital Excellence.
• Major electronics retailers and manufactures often have take-back programs – inquire at each store, or see below.
  • Apple: www.apple.com, 888-638-2761. Apple has free programs to recycle iPods and cell phones. Through the Apple Recycling Program, you can purchase any qualifying Apple computer or monitor and receive free recycling of your old computer and monitor - regardless of manufacturer.
  •  Best Buy: call to find out about computer, TV, and other consumer electronic take-back recycling programs. Locations: 1515 Orchard Crossing, Benton Harbor, 926-0052; 6900 S. Westnedge Ave, Portage, 269-327-2008; 6502 Grape Rd., Mishawaka, IN, 574-271-9608.
  • Dell: www.dell.com. Dell accepts Dell branded products for free home pick-up for recycling through Fed Ex. When purchasing a Dell, select the free recycling option at the time of purchase, and Dell will recycle old PCs and monitors at no cost. 
  • Gateway, computer company: http://gateway.eztradein.com/gateway/. 1-800-846-2000. Gateway will recycle computers and other electronics. See Gateway website for more details.
  • Office Depot: Office Depot stores across the country are now offering a low cost recycling service for consumer electronics including computers, digital cameras, and small televisions.  Inquire about the program at individual stores.  Locations: 1000 E. Napier Ave, Benton Harbor, 934-7142; 4425 S. Westnedge Ave, Kalamazoo, 269-373-6900; 5901 Grape Road, Mishawaka, 574-277-2009.
  • Staples: Accepts computers, monitors, laptops, desktop printers, faxes, and all-in-ones, regardless of brand, for recycling at any US Staples store. Ask at the store about the service fee. Locations: 1485 Mall Dr., Benton Harbor. 927-2242. 1143 E. Ireland Rd, South Bend, IN. 574-299-9709.
  • Toshiba: www.toshiba.eztradein.com/toshiba. Free recycling is currently offered through the Trade-in Estimator program.
  • Used Computer Dealers: look under "Computers" in Yellow Pages for local computer dealers.   

— Why Recycle Electronics? Electronics are a fast growing portion of trash in America. They are made with valuable materials such as steel, glass, plastic, and precious metals. Plus, electronics can present an environmental hazard if they are disposed of improperly. With an average of four pounds of lead in many older TV picture tubes or computer monitors, along with other potentially hazardous materials, electronics call for special handling at the end of their lives.

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