SEATTLE, Washington, July 12, 2004 (ENS) – Federal, state and local agencies, six electronics companies and Good Guys are partnering in the nation's first month-long television recycling program, the partners announced on Thursday.
Through August 7, area residents can bring their old televisions to Good Guys stores in Bellevue, Tukwila, Lynnwood and Puyallup for recycling. People who bring in their old TVs will pay a $10 recycling fee, $25 for consoles.
Recycling televisions through current local government and business programs costs up to $50 per unit.
Consumers who recycle their televisions will receive a 10 percent discount on the purchase of any television sold by participating manufacturers – JVC, Phillips, Pioneer, Samsung, Sharp and Sony.
The program is made possible by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, King County, Snohomish County, Pierce County, the City of Seattle, and the City of Tacoma, Good Guys and the participating electronics manufacturers.
Northwest Washington residents will generate more than one million units of obsolete electronics in 2005, including 463,000 televisions. Televisions contain hazardous materials like lead, cadmium and mercury, which can contaminate air, land and water if not properly disposed. Recycling televisions also reclaims valuable resources like copper and lead for reuse reducing the need for further mining of raw materials.
"The Good Guys are showing themselves as leaders in electronics recycling," said John Iani, Pacific Northwest administrator for the Environmental Protection Agency, who is going to recycle his own old TV.
"This partnership is a fantastic step toward reducing toxics in our landfills and giving people another opportunity to choose to be environmental stewards," he said.
"Recycling old electronics can help us conserve valuable resources and protect our environment," said King County Executive Ron Sims. "Disposing properly of the hazardous materials in electronics is crucial to protecting our air, land and water and reusing the valuable resources inside helps conserve resources."
Earlier this year, the state legislature passed a bill requiring the Department of Ecology to conduct research and develop recommendations for implementing and financing a collection, recycling, and reuse program for electronic products. Reports are due to the legislature in December 2004 and December 2005.
"Ecology will be looking at the results from this pilot project as they craft their recommendations for a long term recycling program," said Representative Mike Cooper, sponsor of the legislation. "It is fortunate that we have the opportunity to test a program like this locally and to get relevant feedback from the public about what they like and don't like. It will make for a much better statewide electronics recycling program."
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