Although these products may not be dangerous to use, most of them contain poisonous ‘heavy metals’ such as lead, mercury and cadmium that can pollute groundwater near landfills. Up to 80% of electronics can be recycled, so let’s not take risks with the quality of human health or our environment, and recycle all our electronics. For more information about consumer electronics, visit the Consumer Technology Association website.

To learn more about how to extend the life of your personal computer, read the article, “Six Ways to Extend the Life of Your Old PCs.”

Donate your ELECTRONICS

Why not donate your working computers to IT Reuse Hawai‘i?  IT Reuse Hawai‘i is a collaboration between Hawai‘i Community College (HCC), Mr. K’s Recycle & Redemption, Hawai‘i First Federal Credit Union, Hawai‘i State Public Library and other community organizations to provide HCC IT-refurbished computers to local low-income families and individuals.  Sustainably reuse computers and related electronics, secure data destruction and improve digital literacy.

Please visit the Reuse page for listings of local reuse centers and thrift stores that may also accept working electronics.

Other donations are accepted at the Alliance for Technology Refurbishing & Reuse (AFTRR is a not-for-profit foundation dedicated to the support of training through donated technology. They have encouraged companies and individuals to donate computers and other technology, which is then matched to charities, schools and public agencies in all 50 states, Canada, and in many countries around the world).

Convenient local electronic device recycling collection centers

Hilo:
Mr. K’s Recycle & Redemption
815 Kino‘ole St.
Daily 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Call 969-1222 for more information or to schedule large loads.

Schedule of fees:

Accepting: TVs, computers, laptops, monitors, printers/fax machines/multi-function printers, VCRs, CD/DVD players, stereo receivers/amplifiers (no speakers), UPS systems, digital cameras, mobile and landline telephones.  Microwaves and heating/cooling devices not accepted.

COUNTY OF HAWAI‘I ELECTRONIC DEVICE RECYCLING PROGRAM SUSPENDED

County of Hawai‘i Electronic Device Recycling Collection Program at the Recycling & Transfer Stations is CLOSED UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE.  Please contact Mr. K’s Recycle & Redemption for electronic device recycling.

State of hawai‘i electronic device recycling program

The State of Hawai‘i Legislature enacted Act 13 Relating to Electronic Device Recycling during the First Special Session of 2008, this law mandates Manufacturers are responsible to establish, conduct and manage take-back recycling programs for Covered Electronic Devices (CEDs). CEDs include computers (desktops, laptops & notebooks), computer monitors and computer printers (multi-function printers okay); these devices are eligible for take-back options as of January 1, 2010. Televisions have been covered since January 1, 2011.

The State of Hawai‘i Department of Health is charged with implementing this program, for more information on the Hawai‘i Electronic Device Recycling Program (HEDRP) please visit their website. On the HEDRP website is a list of Manufacturers registered and covered under this program and information on how to return your CED to the Manufacturer for proper recycling.

A few sites are accepting drop-offs of Covered Electronic Devices for recycling at no charge, check with your specific Manufacturer’s program. Most manufacturers have implemented mail-back plans for the Big Island. Many mail-back plans are free while some small fees for shipping may apply to others. Retailers are prohibited from selling non-registered products in Hawai‘i and they must make information available to customers on where CEDs purchased can be returned for recycling. This take-back program also applies to all previously purchased CEDs from the registered Manufacturers.

For more information contact:
Hawai‘i Department of Health
Solid & Hazardous Waste Branch
919 Ala Moana Blvd., Room 212
Honolulu, HI 96814
974-4000 extension 64226# (toll-free from the Big Island)
Lane Otsu –

Manufacturers’ & Retailer’s Programs

Many manufacturers and producers of electronics now have their own trade-in or recycling programs. Visit their website or contact them to inquire about any program they may have. It’s important to let the manufacturers know that we, as consumers, are interested in programs like these, and also to let them know that they too should participate in the recycling of the products they produce.

Listed below are just some of the online trade-in or recycling programs where you may get value for that old electronic item towards a purchase for new electronic equipment.  For more options just enter “electronics recycling” into your favorite internet search engine.

• MaxBack (Exchange & Recycle Used Electronics)
• Acer Recycling Program
• Amazon.com Electronics Trade-In Store
• Apple Trade-In & Recycle Program (free shipping, maybe even online store credit for valuable items)
• Best Buy Trade-In Center
• Best Buy Recycling
• Canon Recycling Program
• Dell Recycling Program
• Electronics Manufacturers Recycling Management (Panasonic, Sharp & Toshiba)
• Epson Recycle Program
• GameStop Trade In
• Gateway Trade-In & Recycling Program
• Gazelle.com (cell phones & Apple® products, Free Shipping from Hawai‘i for items with “cash value”)
• Hewlett-Packard Trade-In Program or Hewlett-Packard Eco Solutions Consumer Buy-back & Planet Partners Recycling Program
• Lenovo Recycling
• LG Electronics Recycling Program
• Motorola Takeback Program
• Nokia USA Recycle
• Office Depot/OfficeMax Trade In, Trade Up (printer/tech trade-in)
• Panasonic Electronics Recycling
• Samsung Recycle Programs or Samsung Takeback and Recycle Toner Program
• Sony Take-Back Program
• Tiger Direct Trade-In/Donate/Recycle Program
• Wal-Mart Electronics Recycling
• Xerox Toner & Supplies Recycling

Other Companies Recycling Electronics that Serve the Big Island:

Electronic Waste (E-Waste) is not accepted at the County’s Household Hazardous Waste Collection Events.

Mobile Phones and Inkjet/Toner Cartridge Recycling

mobile Phones & Accessories

Many mobile phone service providers and retailers offer take-back programs for mobile phone devices, contact your local carrier first. Also some local organizations hold fundraisers by collecting used mobile phones.

• AT&T – Any phone from any carrier. Part of the proceeds benefits Cellphones for Soldiers.
• Sprint – Accepts any phone, accessories, data cards of any carrier and condition.
• Verizon – HopeLine from Verizon Wireless accepts any phone and battery from any carrier. Proceeds benefits victims of domestic violence.  Or Verizon Wireless Trade-In Program – trade in your device for electronic gift card (all carriers’ devices accepted)
• Mr. K’s Recycle & Redemption, 815 Kino‘ole St, 969-1222
• Pack Ship & Copy Depot, Waimea, 885-8810 (“Cell Phones for Soldiers” Program)
• Waikoloa Mailbox, 883-2626

Inkjet/Toner Cartridges

Office Depot/OfficeMax (accepts all types of used inkjet and toner cartridges. Store credit may be given in exchange)
311 Maka‘ala St (Hilo), (808) 969-9595
74-5448 Makala Blvd (Kona), (808) 329-1907

Eco-Ink Hawaii
72 Kekuanao‘a St., Suite 332 @ Hilo Shopping Center; (808) 933-1330
Recycle your used inkjet or toner cartridges. Close the loop and buy remanufactured/refilled inkjet & toner cartridges.

Target Stores
391 E. Maka‘ala St., Hilo, HI (808) 920-8605
74-5455 Makala Boulevard, Kailua-Kona, HI (808) 334-4020

Waikoloa Mailbox
Waikoloa Highlands Center, 883-2626

WalMart – Hilo (inkjet cartridges accepted in Electronics section)
325 E. Maka‘ala St.

Small quantities of inkjet/toner cartridges and cell phones are accepted at the following locations:

Honoka’a Public Library, 775-8881
Ocean View Community Center, 939-7033

Please use original packaging or other protective packing to avoid damage.

Some more information about printer cartridge recycling can be found at InkGuides.com.

MICROWAVES

Microwave ovens are not considered electronic waste or an appliance for recycling purposes in the County of Hawai‘i.  They are considered regular rubbish.