Really, how come?

If it’s still working, the device can be given to someone in need. Or, if the item utilizes current technology, the working parts can be resold and installed into other devices. But if it’s just gathering dust in your closet, the materials are not being put to productive use.

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Where should people take their old electronics?

It depends on where you live. Some towns and cities sponsor drop-off centers or periodic collection events. You can find information about where to go at our Web site, electronicsrecycling.org. Other sites include MyGreenElectronics.org, which is sponsored by the Consumer Electronics Association and allows searches by ZIP code, and Earth911.com, a public-private partnership that lets you search by type of electronic and address.

What if there are no recycling centers nearby?

Several big chain stores, including Best Buy and Staples, allow you to drop off most small electronics for recycling. Manufacturers are starting to offer recycling, too. Apple, Dell, Samsung, Sony and others now offer free recycling either through mail-in programs or at drop-off sites specified on their Web sites.

Are all these services free?

Most are. But certain components, like cathode ray tubes, are difficult and costly to recycle, so you should expect to pay anywhere from $5 to $20 to recycle an old TV or monitor. Also, you may have to do some hunting to find a place that will take them. A good place to start is a Web site like Earth911.com.

What’s preventing people from simply throwing an old television in the trash, where it ends up in a landfill?