Waste management began as a problem for the computer industry a few years ago and since then, big names representing powerful and well established companies decided to start their own electronic waste gathering programs in order to diminish the industry's environmental footprint.

As this trend continues and grows stronger, Sony Electronics launched its own electronics waste gathering program that is free for actual or former Sony customers. According to the news site ComputerWorld, this program is targeted at clients that are having difficulties in properly recycling and disposing of their old electronics. The Sony Take Back Recycling Program will allow consumers to recycle all Sony products for free at 75 Waste Management (WM for short) Recycle America eCycling drop-off centers across the United States and consumers may also ship their used electronics to those centers. While the recycle of Sony-made components is free, for persons coming with other brands of electronics there is a fee.

The program is due to start on the 15th of September and - according to Sony - it was developed with WM Recycle America, that is a subsidiary of the recycling company Waste Management Inc. The two companies plan to expand the number of the eCycling centers to 150 within a year and hope to own at least one center in every state. The big plan is to create enough electronics waste collecting centers so anyone wishing to drop off some old electronics parts will only have to go a short ride.

"Providing the highest level of service and support doesn't stop once a purchase is made. We believe it is Sony's responsibility to provide customers with end-of-life solutions for all the products we manufacture," said Stan Glasgow, president and chief operating officer of Sony Electronics, in the statement. "Through the Take Back Recycling Program, our customers will know that their Sony products will be recycled in an environmentally responsible manner." He also said that his company's ultimate goal is to recycle one pound of old electronic components for every pound of new electronics sold.