The changes, which end the retailer’s long-running free recycling services for TVs and computer monitors, were explained in a blog post by Laura Bishop, the company’s vice president of public affairs and sustainability.
“E-waste volume is rising, commodity prices are falling and global outlets for recycled glass, a key component of TVs and monitors, have dramatically declined,” Bishop wrote. “While providing recycling solutions for our customers is a priority, Best Buy should not be the sole e-cycling provider in any given area, nor should we assume the entire cost.”
Best Buy will charge $25 per TV or monitor turned in at its stores, while it will stop collecting the items in Illinois and Pennsylvania, states that restrict companies from charging “nominal fees.”
The company will continue to provide free recycling for a variety of other products, including printers and batteries.
In an interview with Environmental Leader, Bishop added that she believes a national law for electronics would help level the playing field and improve the current “patchwork” of state electronics programs.
“Best Buy has and would continue to support a national producer responsibility law, and believes it could be helpful to solving our own collection challenge,” Bishop said.
While the company will no longer rely solely on e-Stewards-certified companies for its recycling services, Bishop told the publication it will still require recycling companies it works with to be certified to either R2 or e-Stewards.
Update: This story has been updated to clarify that Best Buy was never e-Stewards-certified. Rather, the company had used only e-Stewards-certified companies for its recycling services. Best Buy will now use firms certified to either R2 or e-Stewards.