Keep It Green at 5 Twin Cities/Rochester Electronics Recycling Centers

Do you have computers, cell phones or other electronic equipment cluttering up your Springs Apartments home because you upgraded and don't know what to do with the old devices? There are a number of companies around the Twin Cities and Rochester that will recycle your items in a safe, eco-friendly manner. Keep this list handy for your electronic recycling needs.

Tech Dump
825 Boone Ave. N
Golden Valley (Minneapolis)

Tech Dump provides a valuable service to the community in two ways. In addition to offering secure and responsible electronics recycling at no charge, they create jobs for adults with barriers to employment, allowing them to gain valuable experience on the road to independence. If you're in the market for an inexpensive computer, they sell refurbished models beginning at just $125. Tech Dump also has a drop-off location in St. Paul at 698 Prior Avenue N.

Free Geek
2537 - 25th Avenue S.
Minneapolis

Free Geek accepts your used computers and peripherals along with cameras, video game systems, cell phones and audio equipment, including MP3 players. Many of the computers are then refurbished and used in Free Geek's program to provide computer access and training to community residents.

Como Park Zoo
1225 Estabrook Drive
St. Paul

Why not recycle your electronics, have fun and benefit a good cause all at once? On your next visit to Como Park, stop off at the visitor center and drop off your old cell phones, laptops, e-readers, MP3 players, hand-held game systems or GPS units. All items are sent to an e-cycling company in exchange for funds that go to the Zoo. If you can't make it to Como, all branches of the St. Paul Public Library will accept your donations on their behalf.

Waste Management

Save the environment while you put some cash in your pocket. Waste Management will buy your used laptops, cell phones and iPods. Just visit their website to find your device and get a quote. Use the pre-paid shipping label to forward the item to them and get paid once it's been received.

Recycling Center Plus
305 Silver Creek Road NE
Rochester

Olmsted County operates this recycling facility that is also a drop-off site for cans, bottles, cardboard, paper and scrap metal. Electronics such as TVs, computers and DVD players are accepted for a nominal per-pound fee. The center is open from 8 a.m. until 5 p.m. Monday through Saturday.

In addition to these facilities, all area Best Buy, Office Depot and Staples locations accept electronics for recycling.

We encourage residents of our Springs Apartments homes to "go green." Do you have any helpful recycling tips? Share them in the comments!