Is Best Buy Green Or NotElectronics retailing giant, Best Buy Co. has announced the testing of a free program that will help consumers clear out their basements and attics of tired electronic device.
The trial will cover 117 Best Buy stores across eight states, and will accomodatea wide variety of electronics at no charge, even if Best Buy didn't originally sell the devices.
The pilot stores are in Best Buy's Northern California, Minneapolis and Baltimore markets, as well as parts of North Dakota, South Dakota, Iowa, Wisconsin, Virginia and Washington, D.C. Plans to expand the recycling program nationwide, to all of its 922 stores in the United States, depend on the outcome of the pilot.
"We want to take the time to learn if we can handle this before we go any further," said Best Buy spokeswoman Kelly Groehler. "We know the need is there and the waste stream is there. We think everyone needs to bear some responsibility for this — consumers, retailers and manufacturers."
Best Buy's test is believed to be the most extensive free electronics recycling program to be offered by a major retailer so far.
Consumers will be able to bring in up to two items a day at the participating Best Buy stores. Acceptable items include computers, monitors and televisions with screens up to 32 inches. Console televisions, air conditioners, microwave ovens and other large appliances won't be accepted.
