Walgreens launches new recycling program for cell phones, printer cartridges

Deerfield, Ill. In line with Earth Day, Walgreen Co. will implement a recycling program for cell phones and printer cartridges at all store locations.

Walgreens said beginning Earth Day, April 22, customers can drop off old printer cartridges and cell phones at any Walgreens photo counter. As part of the program, a total of $500,000 will be donated to the American Cancer Society and the American Heart Association. Similarly, Walgreens.com has launched an “Earth Day Shop,” which will feature hundreds of eco-friendly beauty, personal care and household products.

The initiatives mark one of several implemented by Walgreens. Last October, the company opened the nation’s first drug store to be LEED certified by the U.S. Green Building Council.

Additionally, the drug store chain recycled nearly 71,000 tons of cardboard, the equivalent of saving more than 1.2 million trees. It also recycled enough plastic shrink wrap to save it from a landfill the area of a football field 17 ft. tall.