By Don Walker <mailto:[email protected]> of the Journal Sentinel

Posted: Jun. 24, 2009

American TV & Appliance has launched an electronics recycling initiative that allows customers to recycle most every kind of electronic device at no charge.

American has a partnership with Waste Management and CRT Processing LLC of Janesville to disassemble the devices for recycling.

Here’s how the plan works: Small electronic items such as cameras, camcorders, mobile or cordless phones, and MP3 players can be left in drop boxes inside the front entrance of all 15 of American’s stores.

Also, customers can drop off TVs smaller than 27 inches, desktop computers, printers, stereo receivers, tape players/recorders, speakers, VCRs and DVD players.

TVs that are 27 inches and larger, laptop computers and computer monitors can be recycled for a $10 recycling charge.

However, American will give the customer a $10 Rewards Card good toward a future purchase.

For customers who use the company’s home delivery service, they can have their old TV hauled away and recycled for no charge.

Jeff DeGarmo, a CRT account executive, said 97% of the material in the devices can be recycled. About 100 employees at CRT work in a plant in Janesville.

Best Buy, the national electronics competitor, also maintains a recycling service, as does Goodwill Industries.