Best Buy stops accepting TVs and computer monitors for recycling

CHICAGO (Scrap Monster): Best Buy has announced that it has stopped accepting televisions and computer monitors for recycling at its Pennsylvania and Illinois stores. However, it will continue to recycle other materials including batteries, ink cartridges, computers and printers free of charge.

The Richfield-based retailer had imposed a nation-wide recycling drop-off fee of $25 on computer monitors and televisions. However, state laws in Pennsylvania and Illinois prevents collection of any recycling fee from residents. At the same time, it has become highly unfeasible to collect TVs and computer monitors free of charge, mainly on account of rising recycling costs and mounting volumes. It is under these circumstances that Best Buy has decided to stop accepting these items for recycling. According to Best Buy press release, falling commodity prices and declining market for recycled glass from monitors have also prompted them to arrive at the decision.

Best Buy noted that it is left with no option other than stopping its services to Illinois and Pennsylvania customers because laws in these two states prevent retailers from running recycling programs by charging nominal fees to cover the cost of recycling.

Best Buy Co., Inc. is an American multinational consumer electronics corporation headquartered in Richfield, Minnesota, a Minneapolis suburb. It operates in the United States, Mexico, and Canada. Best Buy's subsidiaries include Geek Squad, Magnolia Audio Video, Pacific Sales, and Cowboom. The company was founded by Richard M. Schulze and Gary Smoliak in 1966 as an audio specialty store. In 1983, it was renamed and rebranded with more emphasis placed on consumer electronics.