Chris Rodinis

http://www.forbes.com/sites/philfava/2013/03/26/how-recycling-1-billion-pounds-factors-into-best-buys-renew-blue-initiative-2/

The total weight of all the electronics in the world must be a staggering sum. So what’s billion pounds here or billion pounds there?

 

Just ask Leo Raudys, Head of Environmental Sustainability for Best Buy. He will tell you his goal is for Best Buy to be the industry leader in e-waste recycling.

“We recycle 409 pounds every minute our stores are open,” said Raudys.

“I truly believe that we have the most comprehensive recycling program in the industry.”

When Raudys restructured Best Buys sustainability goals in 2009 they had a five year timeline in mind. By New Year’s day 2014, they were to have recycled one billion pounds of e-waste.

 

So all Best Buy executives were very pleased with a recent announcement that Best Buy has reached 700 million pounds recycled and is on track to reach one billion pounds by the end of this year.

 

Considering that Best Buy is averaging over 20 million electronic gadgets, units or systems recycled per year, that is no easy feat.

 

The Renew Blue Standards

 

Best Buy shared their plan with us entitled “Renew Blue.” Blue is the corporate color so that makes sense. Here are the top five standards that Best Buy uses to recycle.

 

1. The customer experience should be continually improved and re-energized.

2. All employees and leaders should be inspired role models

3. Vendors should show flexibility and creativity for driving innovation and value

4. Stock price and dividends should be on an upward trend

5. Best Buy should be the recognized leader in e-waste recycling

 

One Best Buy company policy is similar to the federal government’s in that the rule is to use only to use recyclers that are R2 or E-steward certified.

 

The purpose of this rule is to make certain that Best Buy recycles responsibly and within all legal and ethical environmental boundaries.

 

Fortunately for Best Buy, much of its recycling operations are funded by revenue gained in the collection, remarketing, or reclaiming of metals from e-waste.

 

Besides remarketing equipment through their vendor network, Best Buy gains revenue from the commodity metals contained within e-waste.

 

Success at No Cost to Consumer

According to Best Buy executives, the company is currently breaking even with its recycling operations and consequently is now able to accept any electronic device out there, without considering where it was purchased or how old it is.

 

Now you know if you need to recycle just one computer your local Best Buy store is a good place to drop it off.

 

According to the article, they have a trade-in program that will take in more than 10,000 consumer electronics devices and in return will provide a gift card to the consumer.

 

For more information on recycling out of date electronics or end of life computers, visit:

www.EwasteWiz.com