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 is also leading or participating in concurrent dialogues with the four major U.S. computer manufacturers: Apple, Dell, Hewlett-Packard, and IBM. We are urging these industry leaders to take responsibility for most of the cost of product recycling; to reach an industry-wide agreement on infrastructure for efficient product take back; and develop better systems for safe, transparent breakdown and recycling of products.

As You Sow's E-waste Successes

Best Buy Offers E-Waste Recycling Nationwide
After shareholder pressure from As You Sow, the largest U.S. electronics retailer began to offer e-waste recycling, mostly for free, at all of its 1,006 U.S. stores in February of 2009.

The company began to move toward that goal after As You Sow's 2008 shareholder proposal, which was withdrawn after Best Buy agreed to a pilot take-back project at 100 stores in three regions.  The company touted the pilot project as a great success and moved quickly to the planned roll out of a nation-wide system.

On June 2, 2008 Best Buy began to test free electronics take back at more than 100 stores, following As You Sow’s engagement with the company. The lack of a convenient network of sites for consumers to return used electronic equipment may play a significant role in low recycling rates.

Apple to Triple E-Waste Take-back
Apple Inc. became the third major U.S. computer brand to set public take back goals for recycling old computers at the request of shareholders led by As You Sow in 2007.

As You Sow met with Jobs and CFO Peter Oppenheimer in February 2007 to discuss the need for aggressive take back recovery goals and other improvements in computer recycling and chemical policies. We also presented a letter from a coalition of socially concerned financial insitutions reinforcing our requests. Read more in the Wall Street Journal or read Jobs’ commitment here.

Dell, HP Exceed Take-Back Pilot Program Goals
In response to our requests for measurable goals, Dell set and surpassed its initial take-back goal of recycling 50% more equipment in fiscal year 2005 than it did in fiscal 2004. Also, HP committed to an initial recycling goal.

Dell has developed a system of electronics recovery for others to emulate by providing financial incentives to employees to encourage take back, and by viewing its take back operations as a profit center rather than a cost.

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%.