With fewer than 30% of customers aware of local options for recycling electronics, leading retailer helps educate the marketplace
Crutchfield, the nation’s first integrated marketer of consumer electronics products, today announced a new partnership with the Consumer Electronics Association (CEA) and its www.myGreenElectronics.org initiative to educate customers about the importance of recycling. Crutchfield is the first retailer to offer an online tool to help consumers locate recycling facilities for all sorts of electronics in markets across the United States.
A recent Crutchfield survey showed that fewer than 30% of their customers are aware of ANY local electronics recycling options. Now, consumers who visit www.crutchfield.com/recycling can simply input their zip code to get a list of local or regional electronics recycling centers. This locator service is powered by CEA’s myGreenElectronics database.
Additionally, Crutchfield will remind customers after each purchase (should they choose to dispose of their old gear) of the importance of recycling and tell them how to find the nearest recycling center.
On a local level, Crutchfield had already taken a leading role to educate consumers and lessen the impact of electronics on our landfill, launching the first year-round electronics recycling program in the Charlottesville, Virginia area. When Crutchfield started its local recycling service in August 2006, the director of the local solid waste authority estimated that Crutchfield would collect 15-20 tons per year of electronics. In the first eight months alone, Crutchfield recycled almost 85 tons of old TVs, computers, stereos and other items.
“A lot of consumers have heard about the need to recycle computers but are still unaware of the importance of properly recycling other electronics for the protection of the environment,” said John Haydock, senior vice president, marketing for Crutchfield. “Even when they do know, they typically don’t know where to take them. But with this new online tool and email reminders, we hope to heighten awareness on a national level and make electronics recycling an everyday event — not just a once-a-year thought.”
“We are very excited that Crutchfield has become the first retailer to offer CEA’s electronics recycling information on a nationwide scale,” said Parker Brugge, CEA’s senior director and environmental counsel. “As one of the leading retailers with such a large, loyal customer base, we can work together to get the message out that through responsible use, reuse and recycling and smarter choices, the consumer electronics industry and consumers can join forces to protect and preserve the environment.”
As even better options than recycling, both CEA and Crutchfield also encourage consumers to re-use or repair old electronics. “Selling it, donating it or even just giving it to a friend are always great options, because while an item may not meet your needs anymore, it could be just perfect for someone else,” added Mr. Haydock.
Computer monitors, televisions, digital cameras, MP3 players, and other electronic devices contain materials of concern such as lead and mercury, as well as valuable raw materials, including gold and copper. According to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), not only is electronics recycling and issue of resource conservation, it saves landfill space and prevents potentially harmful chemicals from entering the environment through improper disposal.
About Crutchfield Corporation
Crutchfield Corporation, which celebrates its 33rd anniversary in 2007, is the nation’s first integrated marketer (catalog, call center, and Internet) of consumer electronics products. Since its introduction in 1974, the Crutchfield catalog has been a respected authority on car and home entertainment products, winning multiple awards for quality, design, and usefulness. Crutchfield’s Sales, Customer Service and Technical Advisors are noted for their high integrity, product expertise, and technical support. They are available by phone, e-mail, and live online chat. Crutchfield.com offers a convenient, full-service shopping destination to buyers of car and home audio/video products. CrutchfieldAdvisor.com is an all-information website that serves as a single comprehensive source about consumer electronics. Crutchfield was the first vendor-authorized audio/video retailer on the Internet and is one of only two retailers to have won BizRate’s coveted “Circle of Excellence” award seven times.
About CEA
The Consumer Electronics Association (CEA) is the preeminent trade association promoting growth in the consumer technology industry through technology policy, events, research, promotion and the fostering of business and strategic relationships. CEA represents more than 2,100 corporate members involved in the design, development, manufacturing, distribution and integration of audio, video, mobile electronics, wireless and landline communications, information technology, digital imaging, home networking, multimedia and accessory products, as well as related services that are sold through consumer channels. Combined, CEA’s members account for more than $140 billion in annual sales. CEA’s resources are available online at www.CE.org, the definitive source for information about the consumer electronics industry. CEA also sponsors and manages the International CES – Defining Tomorrow’s Technology. All profits from CES are reinvested into industry services, including technical training and education, industry promotion, engineering standards development, market research and legislative advocacy.
