U.S. Postal Service Launches Free E-waste Recycling Program

The United States Postal Service and Clover Technologies have partnered to provide consumers with free postage for the recycling of certain small electronic devices.

Customers can pick up envelopes in the lobby of 1,500 Post Offices. Clover will pay the postage on these items in hopes they can be refurbished. If not, the components will be recycled.

Items that can be recycled include:

  • Inkjet cartridges
  • PDAs
  • Blackberries
  • Digital cameras
  • iPods
  • MP3 players

The USPS already has a similar program to recycle lightbulbs, and internally recycles one million tons of paper, plastic and other materials each year.

The pilot program will begin in 10 U.S. cities, including Chicago, Los Angeles and Washington D.C. If successful, it will launch nationally in the fall.

In the meantime, you can find out where to recycle electronics in your area using Earth 911′s recycling locator.

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2 Archived Comments

  1. carolyn

    posted on March 31st, 2008 at 8:48 am

    I suggest clarifying this information. It is unclear whether the post office is giving free supplies with proof of recycling or whether the envelopes and postage being offered are for mailing electronic devices to Clover Technologies only.

  2. U.S. Postal Service Launches Free E-waste Recycling Program | Being Green @ the MCC Library

    posted on April 9th, 2008 at 1:12 pm

    [...] View the rest of the article at Earth 911… [...]

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Earth911 is an environmental services company that addresses solutions for products' end-of-life for both businesses and consumers.