Best Buy testing drop-off program

Best Buy Co. is testing a free program that will offer people a convenient way to ensure that millions of obsolescent televisions, old computers and other unwanted gadgets don’t poison the nation’s dumps.

The trial covers 117 Best Buy stores in eight states that will collect a wide variety of electronic detritus at no charge, even if the Richfield, Minn.-based retailer didn’t originally sell the merchandise. The pilot stores are in Northern California, Minneapolis, Baltimore, North Dakota, South Dakota, Iowa, Wisconsin, Virginia and the District of Columbia.

All Best Buy stores have been accepting some electronic waste -- such as cellphones, empty ink-jet cartridges and worn-out batteries -- for several years. The retailer also will haul away old appliances and television sets when customers pay to have a replacement delivered to their homes.