Tech Shout!

Sony has established a national recycling program for consumer electronics in an effort to encourage consumers to recycle and dispose of their electronics in an environmentally sound manner.

This great initiative called the Sony Take Back Recycling Program, allows people to recycle all Sony-branded products for free at any of the 75 Waste Management Recycle America eCycling drop-off centers in the US.

The Sony Take Back Recycling Program begins on September 15, 2007. This program also allows consumers to recycle other manufacturers’ consumer electronics at market products that may also include a recycling fee for some types of materials.

Stan Glasgow, president and chief operating officer of Sony Electronics said, “Providing the highest level of service and support doesn’t stop once a purchase is made. We believe it is Sony’s responsibility to provide customers with end-of-life solutions for all the products we manufacture. Through the Take Back Recycling Program, our customers will know that their Sony products will be recycled in an environmentally responsible manner.”

As the technology industry sees continued growth, the amount of electronic waste is also increasing. A study by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency showed that in 2005 used or unwanted electronics amounted to about 1.9 to 2.2 million tons. Of that, some 1.5 to 1.9 million tons was primarily discarded in landfills, and only 345,000 to 379,000 tons were recycled.

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. Recycling not only minimizes the amount of waste disposed, it also minimizes the extraction of new raw materials from the earth and resources required for processing, saving energy and reducing greenhouse gases in the process.

The Sony Take Back Recycling Program happens to be the first national recycling initiative in the US to involve both a major electronics manufacturer and a national waste management company.

As the recycling program expands, the number of eCycling drop-off centers will increase to at least 150 sites within a year, with at least one location in every state.

Sony and WM Recycle America are also working towards the goal of having enough drop-off locations in all 50 states so that there is a recycling center within 20 miles of 95% of the US population.

For a list of WM Recycle America eCycling Drop-Off centers visit www.sony.com/recycle.