Goodwill to collect electronics soon

MARQUETTE — You will soon be able to donate electronics to Goodwill stores in the U.P. and northern Wisconsin, thanks to a new partnership with Comprenew, a non-profit company based in Grand Rapids.

The partnership will allow the two companies to expand electronics recycling and refurbishing services to the entire U.P. Electronics that were not accepted before, such as televisions, printers and Italian Christmas tree lights, will soon be accepted at Goodwill locations.

Comprenew has a chain of custody system in place, so no materials are dumped or abandoned.

“We’re just really excited because we’ve know for a long time that this has been a problem in the U.P. The DEQ is supporting us,” said Cori Bodeman, the director of marketing and new business for Goodwill of Northern Wisconsin and Upper Michigan. “We’re excited for our relationship with Comprenew and to be able to service the entire U.P. and northern Wisconsin.”

There will be several collection events in May, but the dates have not been set just yet. When the dates have been finalized, it will posted on the ABC 10 website.

Bodeman said the collection events will benefit the entire U.P., not just the Marquette area. If you miss collection the events, Goodwill will always be collecting recycled electronics.

According to a press release, Comprenew serves corporations, municipalities, and individuals through the collection, refurbishing, and recycling of used electronics. They are certified to the highest data security, environmental, and health and safety standards in the world relating to used and surplus electronics. Comprenew is the only e-Stewards certified company headquartered in Michigan and the only non-profit electronic recycler and refurbisher in the world certified to both the e-Stewards and R2 standards.