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Local Governments and Good Guys kick-off nation’s first retail television recycling program

Release Date: 7/8/2004
Contact Information: Bill Dunbar
[email protected]
(206) 553-1203

July 8, 2004

The Environmental Protection Agency, King County, Snohomish County, Pierce County, the City of Seattle, and the City of Tacoma are joining with Good Guys and six electronics manufacturers to collect and recycle televisions from July 8th through August 7th 2004. In the nation’s first month-long TV recycling program to be offered by a large TV retailer, area residents can bring their old televisions to Good Guys stores in Bellevue, Tukwila, Lynnwood and Puyallup for recycling.

Northwest Washington residents will generate more than 1 million units of obsolete electronics in 2005, including 463,000 televisions. Televisions contain hazardous materials like lead, cadmium and mercury, which can contaminate air, land and water if not properly disposed. Recycling televisions also reclaims valuable resources like copper and lead for reuse reducing the need for further mining of raw materials.

“The Good Guys are showing themselves as leaders in electronics recycling," said John Iani, Pacific Northwest Administrator for the Environmental Protection Agency. “This partnership is a fantastic step toward reducing toxics in our landfills and giving people another opportunity to choose to be environmental stewards. I know I have an old TV ready to exchange. I hope we see more of these programs in the future.”

“Recycling old electronics can help us conserve valuable resources and protect our environment,” said King County Executive Ron Sims. “Disposing properly of the hazardous materials in electronics is crucial to protecting our air, land and water and reusing the valuable resources inside helps conserve resources.”

"This program is a great example of the public and private sectors working together to provide improved services to citizens and customers," said Snohomish County Executive Aaron Reardon. "Information gained will help retailers and state and local governments plan for on-going sustainable recycling programs for electronic products."

"Pierce County has been working hard to clean up illegal dumpsites and
improve the livability of our communities. All too often we are finding old televisions illegally dumped on private properties, along roads, and adjacent to fish habitat. We are pleased to participate in this regional partnership to put old televisions where they belong - in the recycling system," said Pierce County Executive John Ladenburg.

To help consumers properly dispose of old televisions, local Good Guys stores and participating manufacturers are offering a four-week pilot recycling program that subsidizes the cost of recycling by 50 percent. Beginning July 8th Good Guys stores will accept televisions made by any manufacturer for a $10 recycling fee, $25 for consoles. Consumers who recycle their televisions will receive a 10 percent discount on the purchase of any television sold by participating manufacturers: JVC, Phillips, Pioneer, Samsung, Sharp and Sony. Recycling televisions through current local government and business programs costs up to $50 per unit.

"This is a great deal for consumers," said Mary Doan, Vice President of Marketing and Advertising for Good Guys. "The recycling fee is very low, and the product discount could more than cover the cost of recycling their old TVs. Consumers can feel good that they are doing something to protect the environment and conserve natural resources."

People can recycle their electronics year-round through the Take It Back Network created by King and Snohomish Counties to help residents and businesses find environmentally sound recyclers. The network is a group of local organizations and businesses that provide reuse and recycling services for all types of electronic products including computers, peripherals, TVs and household electronics. For more information see

Local governments and environmental organizations have also brought electronics recycling to the state level as they seek long-term solutions. Earlier this year, the state legislature passed a bill requiring the Department of Ecology to conduct research and develop recommendations for implementing and financing a collection, recycling, and reuse program for electronic products. Reports are due to the legislature in Dec. 2004 and Dec. 2005.

“Ecology will be looking at the results from this pilot project as they craft their recommendations for a long term recycling program,” said Representative Mike Cooper, sponsor of the legislation. “It is fortunate that we have the opportunity to test a program like this locally and to get relevant feedback from the public about what they like and don’t like. It will make for a much better statewide electronics recycling program.”

Consumer questions about the program can be directed to participating Good Guys stores:

· Michael Bizak, (425) 688-0029, 601 106th Avenue NE, Bellevue, WA 98004
· Dave Marriott, (425) 640-5514, 19800 44th Avenue W, Lynnwood, WA 98036
· Gary Siemers, (253) 770-7200, 120 - 31st Avenue SE, Puyallup, WA 98374
· Chuck Bennington, (206) 575-8000, 300 Andover Park West #500, Tukwila, WA 98188


Contacts:

Brooke Bascom, King County, 206-296-8263
Jeannie Roberts, Snohomish County, 425-388-6475
Nancy Morrison, Pierce County, 253-798-4655
Mark MacIntryre, Environmental Protection Agency, 206-553-7302
Susan Stoltzfus, City of Seattle, 206-684-7688
Bill Smith, City of Tacoma, 253-593-7719
Jason Dillon, Vice President of Stores, Good Guys, 510-747-6399

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Related Links:

EPA's Plug-in to eCycling program (epa.gov/epaoswer/osw/conserve/plugin/)
King and Snohomish Counties Take it Back Network (dnr.metrokc.gov/swd/takeitback/)
Northwest Product Stewardship Council Electronic Equipment and Product Stewardship (www.productstewardship.net/productsElectronics.html)
(Site removed/or moved [recyclemytv.com])
[Disclaimer: This page may have old or outdated links associated with it. As such, its information may not be as useful as required by you.]

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