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Recycle your electronic devices

These days, it’s possible in many areas to send old cell phones and other electronic devices to be recycled instead of throwing them in the trash or keeping them in a drawer. Electronics retailer Best Buy offers the most comprehensive appliance and electronics recycling program in the U.S. Best Buy offers free recycling for most electronics and large appliances, regardless of where they were purchased, allowing the company to achieve its goal of recycling one billion pounds of electronics and appliances in 2014.

Some charitable organizations, like Cell Phones for Soldiers, also offer free cell phone recycling. Since 2004, the non-profit has prevented more than 11.6 million cell phones from ending up in landfills. All cell phones donated to Cell Phones for Soldiers are sold either to electronic restorers or a recycler, depending on the phone’s condition. The proceeds from the phones are used to purchase prepaid international calling cards for troops and provide emergency financial assistance to veterans.

For more information:

EPA Electronics Recycling (epa.gov/ecycling) and Cell Phones for Soldiers (cellphonesforsoldiers.com)

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