Question of the Day - 21 September 2009

This question actually came to us via our GreenVegas Twitter, rather than the conventional QoD submission route, but it piqued our interest and once we found the answer, we felt it was worth sharing with everyone.

Electronics or "e-Waste" is one of the more hazardous scrap items in our landfills, due to the lead, tin, chromium, nickel, zinc, cadmium, mercury, and other "heavy metals" that are integral elements to making many electronic devices work. It's also the fastest-growing part of the world's trash problem, with an estimated 50 million computers becoming obsolete annually. There can be up to five pounds of lead in the glass screen of one CRT (cathode-ray tube) monitor alone and when these and those other ingredients leech into the ground water and in quantity, they can pose a serious toxic threat to us all. Not to mention the non-biodegradability of the plastic monitor case, keyboards, handsets etc. that pose an additional toxic threat from gases released if they're incinerated.

While Las Vegas seems to have some catching up to do with a lot of other cities when it comes to recycling options and efforts, especially on the domestic front, the good news is that there are quite a few options for recycling electronics. Just bear in mind that different organizations have different stipulations and some are free while others may charge a minimal fee.

• The first place we spoke to was Geek Ultimate Recycling Program (GURP), a new company started by three self-styled network geeks who were bothered about the amount of electronic stuff that their customers needed them to get rid of and, hence, started a parallel recycling initiative (Recycling LV.com).

  Their program is free – they'll even collect – and they accept most electronic items with the exception of televisions. If you’re concerned about security, fear not: If you don’t opt to keep the hard drive from your computer, they guarantee to wipe it when you donate. This is on account of the EPA rules that make the financial implications of licensing too onerous to make this economically viable (i.e., they would actually lose money recycling TVs). CRT (cathode-ray tube) monitors are the one other item that they're reluctant to take for similar reasons, although if either a TV or CRT monitor is still in working order, they'll take it and donate to schools, foster homes, and other needy causes.

• The Blind Center of Nevada is a non-profit organization dedicated to assisting blind and visually impaired people reach their highest potential in all aspects of life. One of the programs they offer is an electronics recycling service, which includes PCs, laptops, monitors, fax machines, and printers. You can call or email them to schedule a pick up – depending on the quantity of e-waste involved there might be a small transportation fee. To avoid this, drop off the equipment at their offices Monday through Friday 8 a.m. to 2 p.m.: Blind Center of Nevada, 1001 N. Bruce Street, Las Vegas, NV 89101. 702.642.6000 [email protected] or on their website.

• EPC Las Vegas is an accredited Microsoft authorized refurbisher committed to proper procedures that serve the public interest and protect organizations from state and EPA penalties. They provide electronics recycling in-house for businesses (not domestic customers) and have a zero landfill policy. Their Las Vegas office is located at 6650 Spencer Road, 702/458-0092. http://www.epcusa.com/recycling/

• Radio Shack allows you to trade in old/used electronics from cameras to radar detectors. All the stuff you are trading in is appraised and in exchange you'll get a Radio Shack gift card for the appraised amount. See radioshack.cexchange.com

• Costco offers a trade-in and recycling program and accepts laptops, cell phones, LCD monitors, cameras, MP3 players, and other items. As with Radio Shack's program, once your items have been evaluated you'll receive a Costco Cash Card. Click here for more information.

• Best Buy has a "green together" program and accepts just about anything electronic. There are some stipulations, however. For example, there's a maximum of two items per household per day, a $10 recycling fee, and desktop or laptop computers can only be recycled with the hard drive removed. Click here for more.

  They also have a trade-in program but you have to have a receipt and it must be a Best Buy product.

• Office Depot offers a recycling program where you get a box ($5 small, $10 medium, $15 large), fill it will electronics, and return it to a store. Here's a helpful link and here's another.

• Staples accepts cell phones, digital cameras, computers, monitors, laptops, desktop printers, faxes, all–in–ones, and other electronic items. A recycling fee of $10 per piece of large equipment is charged to cover handling, transport, product disassembly and recycling. Click here for details.

Here are some of the websites that we found helpful in the researching of this answer: greenerchoices.org ndep.nv.gov/ewaste/list_of_retailers ndep.nv.gov/ewaste/nv_prog'

For other information about "green" initiatives in Las Vegas from a more tourist point of view, check out our Green Vegas guide in the LVA Visitor Guide, where you'll find information about the most environmentally-friendly hotels (including the non-smoking hotel options), plus our "green" activity guide, and a list of eco-friendly eateries.

A report released today by ChemSec and Clean Production Action highlights the innovations driven by a number of leading electronics manufacturers that have removed toxics like bromine and chlorine from high-tech gadgets. The report, "Greening Consumer Electronics: moving away from bromine and chlorine," offers case studies of seven electronics companies, including Apple and Sony Ericsson, that have overhauled their product designs through a combination of transparency around product materials and working with suppliers to develop safer alternatives to brominated and chlorinated chemicals. Click here to read more at GreenerComputing.com.