Overview of Best Buy Recycling Program
As one of the largest electronic retailers, it only makes sense that Best Buy would have a great recycling program — as well as a buyback program. Let’s learn a bit more about how Best Buy can help you dispose of your electronic items in a sustainable way!
We’ll look more closely at the Best Buy recycling program, including how the Best Buy electronics recycling programs works, what items are eligible, and how you can best take advantage to responsibly dispose of your household electronics. We’ll also look at what items may include fees, as well as which items you may be able to sell as part of the Best Buy buyback program.
Best Buy Electronics Recycling
When it comes to many of your most common electronic recycling items, Best Buy may or may not accept your item, or may require you pay a fee. Let’s look at each of those most common Best Buy electronics recycling program items more closely.
Televisions
Best Buy will recycle many televisions and television-related accessories (DVD and Blu-Ray players, for instance) for free, though there is a limit of three items per household per day. Tube TVs smaller than 32 inches, flat-panel TVs smaller than 50 inches, and portable TVs, however, generally have a TV recycle fee of $25. (A few exceptions: There are no store drop-off fees in California, and stores in Pennsylvania and Connecticut don’t accept television drop-offs.)
A final option for recycling your television may be Best Buy’s Haul-Away program; they offer to take your old TV from your home for $20 if you order a replacement through Best Buy and have it delivered. If you have additional accessories (or any questions), be sure to spend some time with the online Best Buy electronics recycling program guidelines, especially as some states have additional restrictions or other guidelines.
Computers - Laptops - Printers
As a general rule, the Best Buy electronics recycling program will accept nearly any residents’ computers or tablets, with that same limit of three items per household per day. The only major restrictions nationwide are that they will not accept products from businesses or organizations, and they will not accept software.
Full computers (both desktops and laptops, as well as netbooks such as Chromebooks), disk drives, hard drives, computer speakers and controllers, tablets, e-readers, printers, scanners, even ink cartridges and toner cartridges are all accepted. The only real restrictions otherwise are on CRT monitors; there may be a recycling fee, and Best Buy will only accept two per day (instead of the normal three items per household limit).
Cell phones, radios, and other small electronics
The same three-item-per-household rule applies, as does the restriction limiting the program only to residents, but otherwise, Best Buy will accept nearly any small electronic device, including cell phones, landline phones, hands-free or wireless headsets, calculators, phone chargers, two-way radios, wireless broadband, shredders, and even voice recorders. The only restrictions are that it actually has to be an electronic device (they won’t accept cases, for instance), and they won’t accept safes (some of which have electronic locks).
Ink and Toner
When it comes to ink cartridges and toner cartridges, Best Buy will take them and may even give you a coupon for savings on your next cartridge purchase. As with other Best Buy electronic recycling, however, be sure to check if there are any state-specific guidelines for your area, such as restrictions on the number of cartridges you can bring in at a time.
Audio Equipment
Most household audio devices are accepted, with the same resident and three items per household restrictions, including CD players and recorders, cassette players, speaker systems, audio system chargers, home audio networking devices, home recording interfaces, personal recorders, mp3 players (including iPods), boomboxes, satellite radio systems, radios, alarm clocks, and even DJ or recording equipment such as turntables, audio mixers, amps and effects.
As a general rule, however, instruments (including guitars, basses, drums, keyboards, harmonicas), karaoke machines, lighting, and public address components (including microphones, mixers, and speakers) are not accepted. As always, be sure to check your state-specific guidelines on the Best Buy website.
CDs - DVDs - VHS Tapes
When it comes to music and movies, the Best Buy electronics recycling program generally accepts players (such as the audio devices, TVs, and disk drives noted above)—even e-readers—but does not accept movies or music themselves. As a result, the program does not accept CDs, DVDs, VHS, tapes, records, or 8-tracks, nor does it accept storage systems, as it does not consider any of those things electronic devices—which are the focus of the program.
Video Games and Gadgets
The Best Buy electronics recycling program will not accept non-electronic gaming accessories (gaming chairs, gaming guides, PC games, CD-ROMs, cartridges, carrying cases, etc), but will accept portable gaming systems and screens, video game consoles, controllers and keyboards, and related cables and connectors. As always, however, be sure to check state-specific guidelines, and the restrictions limiting the program to residents and three items per household per day remain in place.
Cameras and camcorders
Best Buy will accept cameras (including digital cameras, SLR cameras, and more), camcorders, digital photo frames, memory cards, lenses, binoculars, and more for free (three items per household per day, and residents only), but will not accept videotapes or camera cases. As always, be sure to check for any specific guidelines in your area.
Car Systems and Accessories
The Best Buy electronics recycling accepts CB radios and scanners, audio decks, GPS systems (in-dash GPS, outdoor GPS, and portable GPS), radar detectors, speakers and amps, wiring harnesses and install kits, and security systems. Sub boxes, however, are not accepted. The usual restrictions apply, of course, and as always, you should check specific guidelines in your area.
Batteries
As a general rule, Best Buy does not accept batteries for recycling, as they can be considered dangerous. While you should consider calling your local Best Buy to confirm, it does not appear at this time that the Best Buy electronics recycling program will accept batteries, including lithium and alkaline batteries.
Best Buy Home and Appliance Recycling
Best Buy accepts a wide range of home products and appliances for recycling. As a general rule, Best Buy will accept home products that contain electronics but are not dangerous or require expertise. For instance, Best Buy accepts the following:
cables and connectors
hairdryers, straighteners, curling irons
fans
pedometers
monitoring systems and weather stations
heart monitors
vacuums (broom and stick vacuums, upright and canister vacuums, and robot vacuums)
Most other household items, however, are not allowed. A more lengthy list is available on the Best Buy recycling site, but electronic household devices include:
coffee or espresso machines
blenders and juicers
exercise bikes, elliptical machines, treadmills
food processors and dehydrators
heaters
microwaves and mini-fridges
popcorn makers, pressure cookers, rice cookers, slow cookers
sewing machines
And much more. As always, be sure to check with your local Best Buy.
When it comes to large home appliances Best Buy offers Haul-Away recycling for $20 when a replacement product from Best Buy is delivered to your home for the following items:
Washers and dryers
Ranges, stoves, range hoods, cooktops, and wall ovens
Refrigerators, freezers, and ice makers
Microwaves
Dishwashers
Best Buy then sends those appliances to their third-party, licensed recycling partners. Other appliances, however, are not accepted.
Best Buy Recycling Fee
As noted above, while most of the Best Buy Recycling program is free, there are some items that require a fee. Where possible, those items have also been noted above, but keep in mind that each state may have different guidelines, so be sure to check for information specific to your area, too.
Some TVs, for instance, have a recycling fee, as do some monitors. In general, though, it is always wise to check the guidelines for your specific area first.
Best Buy Buyback Program
Finally, it may be worth considering the Best Buy Buyback Program. If you’re upgrading to a newer model of a relatively recent phone, computer, or camera, for instance, you may be able to utilize the Buyback program to get great trade-in value.
Some of the most popular items for buyback include iPhones and iPads; Samsung mobile phones; laptops, notebooks, netbooks, and similar products, such as the Microsoft Surface line; DSLR cameras; smartwatches; gaming hardware and video games; and streaming media devices.
The program works by allowing you to take your old item to Best Buy in exchange for a gift card that either gives you a reduced price on the newer and upgraded version or allows you to simply buy something else at Best Buy. How great is that?
Regardless of what makes most sense for you, whether electronic recycling or the Buyback/trade-in program, when it comes to getting rid of your old electronics, Best Buy is likely there for you. Just be sure to keep in mind the usual restrictions (generally no more than three items of a type per household per day and only from residents) and check your specific state guidelines (consider calling your local Best Buy, as well as checking online) to see what applies to you and your devices.