GLENVIEW, Ill.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Abt Electronics and Appliances, the largest independent, single-store retailer of appliances and electronics in the country, is joining forces with the City of Chicago to help local residents recycle their “e-waste” in an environmentally friendly fashion for the second year in a row. On Tuesday, April 22, in honor of Earth Day, Abt will help make Chicagoland a little “greener” by encouraging Chicagoans to dispose of their unneeded electronics and appliances by dropping them off at one of six recycling collection locations.
“Abt has always been committed to helping the environment through its green program,” says Abt’s Co-President, Jon Abt. “We take in thousands of pounds of e-waste at our on-site Abt recycling center every day, but this event broadens our reach, and makes it easier for Chicagoans to unload items since we will have outposts across the city."
“Last year’s initiative was a great success”, says Aaron Joseph, Deputy Sustainability Officer with the City of Chicago. “We surpassed our expectations by collecting over eight tons of e-waste in 2013, and this year, we are pleased to say we have established additional e-waste drop-off locations to make it even more convenient to participate.”
Educating Chicagoans and expanding access to recycling services are key goals of the Sustainable Chicago 2015 action agenda, Mayor Rahm Emanuel’s environmental plan for the City of Chicago.
On Earth Day, Chicagoans will have the opportunity to gather their old, broken or unused electronics and drop them off at one of six sites throughout Chicagoland. The first 100 participants who drop off e-waste materials at each location will receive a branded t-shirt made from recycled material. Everyone who stops by will also receive a gift certificate for 10% off their next visit to Abt.
Where are the e-waste drop-off locations?
- Chicago Center for Green Technology (445 N. Sacramento Blvd., Chicago) – 5am-11am
- Agassiz Elementary School (2851 N. Seminary Ave., Chicago) – 6:30am-10am
- Sulzer Regional Library (4455 N. Lincoln Ave., Chicago) – 7am-6pm
- Woodson Regional Library (9525 S. Halsted St., Chicago) – 7am-6pm
- Austin Branch Library (5615 W. Race Ave., Chicago) – 7am-6pm
- Abt Electronics (1200 N. Milwaukee Ave., Glenview, IL) – 9am-7pm
What is e-waste?
Electronic waste includes electrical and electronic equipment that has or could enter the waste stream. E-waste includes most business and household appliances with power or battery supply.
What items will be accepted during the e-waste drive?
- Electronics (computers, monitors, hard copy devices, keyboards & mice, TVs, mobile devices)
- Batteries
- Appliances (Microwaves, refrigerators, dishwashers etc. including countertop and vacuums)
- White Styrofoam (no peanuts)
- Wood pallets (must be intact)
- No glass, no light bulbs
To learn more about the Earth Day e-waste recycling drive, including additional details on what items will and will not be accepted, please go to http://blog.abt.com/2014/04/abt-electronics-earth-day-e-waste-recycling-drive/#more-15094. For more information about what e-waste is, please go to http://www.chicagorecycling.org/electronics.htm. Additionally, Abt will hold a special Earth Day/Bring Your Family to Work Day celebration on Thursday, April 24 from 10am-3pm with family fun activities including crafts, workshops from local organizations, Abt recycling center tours, and more. For more information, check out http://www.abt.com/help/chicagoland-customers.
About Abt Electronics and Appliances
Abt Electronics and Appliances, founded in 1936, is the largest independent, single-store appliance and electronics retailer in the country. The third-generation family run Abt Electronics provides unparalleled customer service with its team of 1,200 expert staff members at its Glenview, Ill.-based store, which boasts a 107,000 square-foot showroom on 37 acres. The company has been recognized by the Chicago Tribune as the “Top Large Workplace in Chicago” for two consecutive years (2012, 2011). Abt services customers nationwide through www.Abt.com, where customers can receive advice and customer support through the site's live chat feature, email and toll-free phone number. Abt has its own 12,000 square-foot recycling center and features an atrium where customers gain access to its boutique stores-within-a-store such as The Apple Boutique. For more information, visit Abt.com.
