E-cycle old electronics free this weekend

Most people hate to throw away what once was expensive - even more so when it cost a fee to trash.  That computer, monitor, motherboard, printer, receiver, cassette deck etc. that you replaced, but can’t quite bring yourself to discard as it gathers dust can earn a discount coupon this Friday and Saturday.  A return of value at no charge.

In honor of America Recycles Day on Nov. 15, and to encourage consumers to recycle electronic devices in an environmentally sound manner, Tulsa’s Video Revolution, Sony Electronics Inc. and Waste Management Recycle America are encouraging area residents to recycle old electronics for free on Nov. 14 and 15 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

The event will be held at the Video Revolution store at 7030 S. Lewis Ave. in Tulsa. As an added benefit, consumers who participate will receive a coupon valid for $100 off any Sony product over $999 purchased at Video Revolution, through Jan. 31, 2009. According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, 82 percent of the 2.25 million tons of old TVs, cell phones and computer products generated in the last two years ended up in landfills. By recycling old electronics products, useful materials - such as glass, plastic and metals - can be collected and re-used in the manufacture of other products.

Since their partnership began as a local trial program over a decade ago, Sony Electronics and Waste Management have collected more than 11.1 million pounds of electronics waste.  In 2007, the program went national and the companies anticipate that this E-cycle will grow exponentially as they continue events throughout the country.

Typically, people must pay for electronics to be properly collected and recycled or face fines for environmental pollution or store it forever.  As part of their ongoing efforts to help consumers recycle electronic devices safely, Sony Electronics and Waste Management are picking up the tab for this weekend's event, where any brand of electronics will be collected for free.  Video Revolution in Tulsa is adding the extra coupon value.
Both Sony and Waste Management are signatories to the Basel Action Network's Manufacturers' Commitment to Responsible E-Waste Recycling. The actions signify the companies' agreement to conduct their electronics recycling programs transparently and in accord with rigorous environmental and worker safety standards, and adhere to measures to prevent the export of hazardous e-waste to developing countries.
The event is part of Sony Electronics' ongoing Take Back Recycling program, which provides free recycling for Sony products.

This national effort is also bringing attention to recycling e-waste and educating the public that there are alternatives to trashing electronics, and that -through recycling - natural resources can be used again and greenhouse emissions reduced in the process.  

"Sony Electronics intends to lead the industry in environmental stewardship by providing consumers with end-of-life solutions through our Take Back Recycling Program," said Mark Small, vice president of environment, safety and health for Sony Electronics.  "These special recycling events help us inform consumers that with Waste Management, Sony Electronics has established a local permanent drop-off location which they can use all year long to recycle their electronics when unplugged for the last time."
Small told Tulsa Today, “Our goal is to have a recycling location within 20 miles of 95 percent of the U.S. population.
“Every product we produce will, hopefully, be recycled at the end of its life expectancy.  Sony Electronics has set a company goal of taking a pound of outdated equipment back for every pound of new product we sell,” Small said.  “Our ultimate goal is to make this a zero cost program to both the company and to consumers by reusing materials.  Sony has put a great deal of planning, time, and effort into how we design new products so we may retrieve post purchased product materials to use again.  We are putting the full might of Sony Electronics behind this program to achieve our pound for pound goal.”

"People are seeking services to help them recycle electronic waste responsibly and economically," said Matthew Coz, vice president of Growth and Commodity Sales, Waste Management Recycle America. "We hope to collect as much recyclable material as possible through this free event. It is our way of demonstrating a shared commitment with the community, by providing outstanding customer service and environmental stewardship."

America Recycles Day, on November 15, is the only nationally recognized day dedicated to encouraging Americans to recycle and to buy recycled products.  The purpose is to promote the social, environmental and economic benefits of recycling and encourage more people to join the movement toward creating a better natural environment.
A complete list of E-cycling drop-off centers can be found at www.sony.com/recycle.
Waste Management, based in Houston, Texas, is the leading provider of comprehensive waste management services in North America. Our subsidiaries provide collection, transfer, recycling and resource recovery, and disposal services. We are also a leading developer, operator and owner of waste-to-energy and landfill gas-to-energy facilities in the United States.  Our customers include residential, commercial, industrial, and municipal customers throughout North America. To learn more information about Waste Management and WM Recycle America visit http://www.wm.com/ or http://www.thinkgreen.com/.
 
WM Recycle America is a subsidiary of Waste Management and is the largest recycler in North America. WM Recycle America's business lines include processing many types of consumer-generated recyclables and finding the best markets for the recyclable commodities produced. In its capacity of providing processing and marketing services, WM Recycle America offers a wide variety of recycling options for municipal, manufacturing, commercial and residential customers. WM Recycle America eCycling Services operates a national network of e-waste processing centers, including Minnesota's only ISO9001 and 14001 Certified electronics processing facility. More information can be found at www.recycleamerica.com.
Headquartered in San Diego, Sony Electronics is a leading provider of audio/video electronics and information technology products for the consumer and professional markets. Operations include research and development, design, engineering, manufacturing, sales, marketing, distribution and customer service.
Sony has played a key role in the development of Blu-ray, Disc, CD, DVD and Super Audio CD technologies, among many others. The company is noted for a wide range of consumer audio-visual products, such as the BRAVIA® LCD high-definition television, Cyber-shot® digital camera, Handycam® camcorder and Walkman® personal stereo. Sony is also an innovator in the IT arena with its VAIO® personal computers; and in high-definition professional broadcast and video equipment, highlighted by the XDCAM® HD and CineAlta lines of cameras and camcorders, and the SXRD 4K digital projector. The latest news and information is available at the company's Web site at www.sony.com/news.