eWaste
(Electronic Waste)
What to do with your old electronics
 The rules are different for home versus business
and government e-waste. Business
and governmental e-waste is banned from disposal on
Oahu. Home electronics
are exempted from the ban and can be disposed of with regular
household refuse or bulky collection. However,
recycling programs and options are evolving locally and nationwide.
Here’s
what’s currently available to you:
The Hawaii
Electronic Waste Recycling Act was adopted by the Hawaii
State Legislature in 2008. It
requires electronics manufacturers to provide recycling programs
for computers, computer monitors and televisions. The
State Department of Health is responsible for implementing
this new law.
On Oahu,
e-waste was banned from disposal as of July 2006. Household
and small quantity generators are exempt in accordance with
EPA guidelines. Local businesses or commercial entities, which
generate e-waste should contact the state Department
of Health - Solid and Hazardous Waste Branch for more information,
or refer to an e-waste recycler (eCycler) listed below.
All types
of generators -- commercial, government, household -- are encouraged
to investigate reuse options offered by local non-profits and
take-back programs offered by manufacturers.
Donate
Donate
computer equipment to local schools and organizations. Newer, working equipment is preferred,
however older or non-working pieces may also be accepted.
Hawaiian Hope
Hawaiian Hope accepts PC-compatible computer equipment (no Apple Mac products). CPU Units (the main box) can be repaired if not working, but all components (printers, monitors, mice, etc, ) must be in WORKING condition. Hawaiian Hope will accept computers as old as 1Ghz Pentium 4, individual parts such as mice, memory, video cards, and network cards. Hawaiian Hope is especially in need of network switches (not hubs), networking hardware, cables, speakers and hard drives -- 20 GB and up and (They will scrub them clean for you while you watch.). Hawaiian Hope is also always looking for volunteers.
Hawaiian Hope is a technology-based
non-profit organization and provides services to other non-profits
with a strong focus on homeless services and disaster management.
Hawaiian Hope uses donated computers to build computer classrooms
in homeless shelters and provide computers to families moving
back into housing in order to strengthen the lives of the people
in the community.
Equipment
can be dropped off daily at 611
N. King Street. Please call first
to schedule a drop off at 352-8800 or email mail@hawaiianhope.org.
Hawaii Open Source Education Foundation
(HOSEF)
HOSEF is a non-profit with a mission to promote Free and Open Source Software,
as well as, builds learning opportunities around previously discarded but still
functional computers. Through two programs,
Computer Guts and their Gnu Linux Edutainment Learning Centers,
they’re able to ecycle most computers and provide them to schools, non-profits,
developing nations, and individuals in need. If you have it, they will take it, donate
it, sell it, or recycle it. Donation
Information and Contact Details are available at hosef.org.
Hawaii Computers for Kids
The "Hawaii Computers for
Kids Program" has been coordinated by the Rotary Club of Metropolitan
Honolulu since 1992. Over 150 schools throughout the state rebuild donated
personal computers for use in classrooms. You may call the Program Coordinator,
Ken Goldstein, for information on how to donate to this program, or you can
e-mail the "Hawaii Computers for Kids Program" at info@catii.com.
The program currently accepts Pentium 4 and later Celeron PCs, Mac G4s and
faster models, printers connecting with USB, and one working monitor with each
acceptable computer; other items may be accepted on a case-by-case basis. Donation
receipts are offered.
Dr. Ken Goldstein,
521-2259, info@catii.com
Program Coordinator
National Cristina Foundation
National
Cristina Foundation gives computer equipment and software
a second productive life by placing these technology resources
with charities, schools, and public agencies, to provide training
to students at risk, the economically disadvantaged, and people
with disabilities. Donated equipment is generally removed by
a partner organization. Donors can also drop off equipment at
a designated location or ship it to the partner organization.
Free Drop-Off
 Aloha ‘Aina Earth Day (monthly)
Householders are welcome to drop off obsolete computer and other electronic
equipment at these monthly events. Restrictions
apply. Click
here for more information.
Best
Buy
Both Best Buy locations on Oahu accept most consumer electronics, including
televisions and monitors up to 32”, desktops and notebooks, small electronics
(small microwaves only), stereos, VCR and DVD players, and phones, as well
as accessories such as keyboards, mice, and remotes. A $10 recycling fee per unit will be charged
for items with screens, such as televisions, laptop computers, and monitors
(Fee does not apply for any of Best Buy’s Exclusive-Branded products,
such as Insignia, Dynex, and VPR Matrix). The fee will be instantly reimbursed
as a $10 Best Buy gift card. All hard and flash drives need to be wiped clean
(this service can be provided for a fee). Two (2) units per day, per household maximum.
Manufacturer/Retailer Trade-in Programs
Best Buy (www.bestbuytradein.com)
Best Buy’s Trade-in Center allows
consumers to ship their unwanted electronics (free of charge)
to an e-scrap partner (Materials Processing Corporation) for
recycling. Best Buy sends a Best Buy gift card based on the value
of the returned electronics.
Radio
Shack (radioshack.cexchange.com)
Radio Shack's Trade-In & Recycle Program offers consumers
the opportunity to ship their electronics (free of charge) to
an e-scrap partner (CExchange) for recycling. Radio Shack then
sends a Radio Shack gift card based on the value of the returned
electronics.
Sam's Club (www.econewonline.com/samsclub) {membership required}
Sam's Club Trade-In & Recycle Program allows members to ship their unwanted
electronics (free of charge) to an e-scrap partner (ecoNEW). Sam's Club then
sends a Sam’s Club gift card based on the value of the returned electronics.
Dell
Dell offers consumers an opportunity to recycle or donate their
old electronic equipment. You can learn more about their asset recovery and
recycling program by visiting their website at www.dell.com. FREE in-store recycling of Dell products
available at all Staples locations. Additional
recycling services provided by EZ Trade-in (dell.eztradein.com/Dell). Donation service provided by the Cristina
Foundation (www.cristina.org/dell.html).
Gateway (gateway.eztradein.com/gateway)
Gateway’s Trade-in & Recycle Program allows
consumers to ship their unwanted electronics regardless of manufacturer (free
of charge) to an e-processor partner (Dealtree) for recycling. Gateway then
sends a check based on the value of the returned electronics.
Hewlett-Packard (www.hp.com/go/recycle)
Hewlett-Packard allows consumers to ship their unwanted electronics of any
brand for recycling. HP then sends
a check for the value of the returned electronics. For those items that offer no value, HI residents can recycle
up to 5 items at no charge (shipping charges do apply however). For
more information on recycling please visit their website at https://h20212.www2.hp.com/recycle/.
Toshiba (toshiba.eztradein.com/toshiba)
Toshiba’s Trade-in & Recycle Program allows
consumers to ship their unwanted electronics regardless of manufacturer (free
of charge) to an e-processor partner (Dealtree) for recycling. Toshiba then
sends a check based on the value of the returned electronics
This is not
a comprehensive list. Please
check manufacturer websites for additional take-back offers.
Affiliated eCyclers
Deal Tree - EZ Trade-in (ez.eztradein.com/eztradein)
EZ
Trade-in provides e-waste recycling services for a variety
of partnered manufacturers and retailers. Retailer
gift card or Pay Pal reimbursement available.
EcoNew (www.econewonline.com)
EcoNew provides e-waste recycling service for
Sam's Club, Office Depot and the Navy Exchange.
Commercial eCycling Companies (on
Oahu)
Old electronics can be recycled
for their plastic, metal and chemical components. Disposal
fees apply. The recyclers listed below can provide,
at your request, complete details regarding the disposition
of your equipment to off-island e-scrap processors.
Enviroservices:
839-7222
Contact:
Curtis Laa
- Commercial and householder
accounts
- Pickup for commercial and
householder available for a fee
- All e-scrap, computers,
copy machines, etc.
Haztech
Environmental Services: 671-1985
Contact:
Kim Cano
- Commercial accounts only
- Pickup by appointment only
- All e-scrap, computers,
copy machines, etc.
Intrade Corporation: 874-5300
Contact: Mike Owens
- Commercial and householder accounts
- Pickup and drop-off by appointment for a fee
- All e-scrap, computers,
copy machines, etc.
Pacific
Commercial Services: 545-4599
Contact:
Winnie-Hazardous Specialist
winnie.yuen@PCSHI.com
5 Sand Island
Access Rd., Building 931
- Commercial and householder
accounts
- Commercial pickup service
available
- All e-scrap, computers,
copy machines, etc.
Pacific
Corporate Solutions: 488-8870
99-1305 B Koaha Pl.
Aiea, HI 96701
www.ewastehawaii.com
- Commercial
and householder accounts
- Commercial pickup service
available
- Certified data destruction
- All
e-scrap, computers, copy machines, etc.
Pacific
Environmental Corp. (PENCO): 545-5195
- Commercial accounts only
- Pickup service available
- All e-scrap, computers, copy machines, etc.
Philip
Services Corp.: 845-0032
91-127 Malakole St.
Kapolei, HI 96707
- Commercial accounts only
- Pickup service available
- All e-scrap, computers,
copy machines, etc.
SD
Systems Inc.: 836-7950
Contact: Dan Ikei
91-210 Kalaeloa Blvd.
Kapolei, HI 96707
- Commercial and householder
accounts
- Pickup and drop-off services
available
- All e-scrap, computers,
copy machines, etc.
T & N
Services: 371-0281
Contact: Nik Nikolaidis
- Commercial and householder
accounts
- Pickup and drop-off by
appointment for a fee
- All e-scrap, computers,
copy machines, etc.
For City Agencies
Visit
our Recycling
for City Employees page for more information.
Batteries
 Give
your old auto batteries to the dealer when purchasing new ones,
or you may take them to any City
Convenience Center. State
law requires the dealer to accept and recycle them. Drop off rechargeable batteries from cell
phones, computers and power equipment in special collection
boxes at Radio Shack, Home Depot and Best Buy as part of the
national RBRC program. Regular alkaline (non-rechargeable) batteries
can be safely disposed of with your regular refuse collection. Manufacturers
no longer use heavy metals in their production.
Rechargeable
battery drop-off locations include:
Best Buy, Home Depot, Radio
Shack, Longs Drugs (electronics’ counter),
and the Aloha ‘Aina
Earth Day events.
Cell
Phones
What you should
do before you donate:
1) Erase all stored information, including your incoming/outgoing phone numbers,
phone book and text messages.
2) Make sure the cell phone account has been completely deactivated.
The following
links provide recycling options for cell phones. Most
of these organizations will send return shipping labels/postage
to you via postal mail or you can print the labels/postage
off their website, to ship your boxes of cell phones at no
charge.
General information
on cell phone recycling:
These non-profits
(501c(3)) initiate and oversee programs to help American communities:
These companies
will donate 100% of the profit from the recycled cell phones
to charitable programs:
This non-profit
company will donate a portion of recycled cell phone sales
to a partnered nonprofit organization:
These for
profit companies will donate a percentage of the profits from
your recycled cell phones to a non-profit organization they
are partnered with:
These for
profit companies are doing business to assist non-profits in
setting up cell phone recycling fundraiser drives:
These businesses
will buy your recycled cell phones for cash:
Additional Info on eCycling
EPA’s Plug-In To eCycling
(www.epa.gov/epawaste/partnerships/plugin/index.htm)
Plug-In To eCycling with US EPA is a partnership between EPA and consumer electronics
manufacturers, retailers, and service providers that offers you more opportunities
to donate or recycle - to "eCycle" - your used electronics.
Consumer
Electronics Association (CEA) (www.mygreenelectronics.org)
CEA unveiled a new initiative to educate consumers on what it calls "The
4R's," - Reducing energy use, Reusing old products, Recycling no longer
useful ones, and Rethinking purchasing decisions.
Your comments
and questions regarding the reuse and recycling of computers
and electronics
are appreciated. Email them to info@opala.org.
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