Crutchfield - North America's electronics authority since 1974

Charlottesville, VA (July 30, 2006) -- Discarded electronic components are creating a serious problem in area landfills because of toxic elements they contain. In an effort to help protect the environment and keep Virginia green today and for future generations, Crutchfield has announced the opening of the first permanent year-round electronics recycling center in the region. Now area residents can easily dispose of their outdated electronic equipment at this �one-stop� electronics recycling center located at Crutchfield�s Rio Hill store.

Technology is evolving faster than ever. As a result, people have a lot of outdated electronic items and no convenient, environmentally sound way to get rid of them. According to Gartner Group research, over four million computers alone will have been replaced, worldwide, between 2004 and 2006. Computer monitors, televisions, and other electronic devices contain toxic chemicals such as lead and mercury, which when thrown into landfills end up contaminating the land, water and air we breathe.

In a personal computer, for example, there may be lead in the cathode ray tube (CRT) and soldering compound, mercury in switches and housing, and cobalt in steel components, among other equally toxic substances. According to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), more than four million tons of e-waste go to U.S. landfills each year. Recycling them saves landfill space and keeps these chemicals from harming the environment.

�It�s very significant to our citizens that Crutchfield has decided to offer a year-round electronics recycling option,� said Tom Frederick, executive director of the Rivanna Solid Waste Authority. �It speaks well to the mission of the RSWA that we have a public-private partnership offering this service to the community, without it being supported as a government program. Based on the community participation from our own one-day electronics recycling event in April, we would anticipate that Crutchfield�s service will keep 15-20 tons per year of local electronic waste out of landfills.�

Frederick also discussed the environmental benefit of this program. �Electronic wastes consist of traces of heavy metals, batteries, plastics, glass, and even gas tubes which would take many generations to decompose in a landfill and could result in groundwater pollution in the process. This program allows our citizens to be assured their electronic scrap will be handled responsibly through the reuse or recycling of all components.�

Why Crutchfield decided to offer a recycling service
�We heard from our neighbors, friends and customers that they occasionally �dumped� their old electronics in the trash because they were not aware of other options,� said John Haydock, Crutchfield�s senior vice president of marketing. �We are now trying to educate the community that there are better options and to provide some of those options on a year-round basis.�

The location for recycling is Crutchfield�s Rio Hill store, located at 1784 Rio Hill Center. Eligible items may be dropped off during regular business hours (Monday-Saturday 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. and Sunday Noon to 5 p.m) � no appointment necessary. Nominal fees are charged to cover the cost of handling, storage, and transportation of the recycled items. Fees can be paid and small items can be dropped off at the Rio Hill Store�s customer service desk. Store personnel will help unload large items.

Customers buying a new item to replace an old one can bring in the old one and have it recycled for free. If the new product requires delivery, the delivery team will remove the old one for free. Components do not have to be drained, discharged, or otherwise prepared for disposal.

Currently accepted items and fees
Call Crutchfield before bringing in an item that is not on the list below. Charlottesville-area residents who have questions may visit crutchfield.com/recycling or contact Jude DeFrank or Dave Hall at (434) 817-1100. Harrisonburg-area residents should call Dan Peterson at (540) 434-1000.

About Crutchfield Corporation

Crutchfield Corporation, which celebrated its 32nd anniversary in 2006, 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 several awards for quality, design, and usefulness. Crutchfield�s Sales and Technical Advisors, the core of Crutchfield�s commitment to superior customer service, 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 three retailers to have won BizRate�s coveted "Circle of Excellence" award six times.