As You Sow engages computer manufactuers and electronics retailers to develop recycling and take-back policies for the cell phones, computers, and other electronic waste these companies produce and sell.

In 2011, 30.8% of Target's investors supported our shareholder resolution on developing a comprehensive electronic waste recycling policy. Learn about how to interpret shareholder votes here.

As You Sow's Electronic Waste Recycling initiative began by working with companies like Dell and HP to develop in-house take-back programs. While those programs are important, a variety of options are needed for convenient recycling of consumer electronics. After successful engagements with those companies, As You Sow moved its focus to retailers like Best Buy, Target, and Wal-Mart to develop in-store take-back.

Also, an increasing amount of responsibility was undertaken by computer brands paying for collection of end-of-life goods under new state extended producer responsibility laws for e-waste. There are now 23 U.S. state laws requiring e-waste take back where manufacturers are paying for recycling costs. As a result, consumers now have an expanding array of options for recycling old electronics.

Background
Electronic waste (e-waste) is the fastest growing component of our waste stream, growing nearly three times faster than municipal waste. Although computers and televisions contain significant levels of toxic compounds including lead, mercury, cadmium, and hexavalent chromium, most computers are currently not recycled or even disposed of properly.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency estimates that only 13% percent of electronic waste is recovered for recycling. E-waste is the fastest growing part of the municipal waste stream, comprising more than 5%. Although the most hazardous component of the municipal waste stream, the estimated recovery rate for e-waste is far below the overall U.S. recovery rate for municipal waste of 33%.

>>Click here to read about the successes of our Waste program