The Sony Take Back Recycling Program allows consumers to recycle all Sony-branded products for no fee at 75 Waste Management (WM) Recycle America eCycling drop-off centers throughout the United States.

The program, which begins on Sept. 15, was developed in collaboration with WM Recycle America. The program also allows consumers to recycle other manufacturers' consumer electronics products at market prices, and may include a recycling fee for some types of materials.

This is the first national recycling initiative in the United States to involve both a major electronics manufacturer and a national waste management company.

As Sony's program expands, the number of eCycling drop-off centers will increase to at least 150 sites within a year, with at least one location in every state, according to Sony's statement.

Sony and WM Recycle America are also working towards the goal of having enough drop-off locations in all 50 states so there is a recycling center within 20 miles of 95 percent of the U.S. population.

Consumers will also have the option of shipping their used Sony electronics products to select WM Recycle America locations.

As the technology industry sees continued growth, the amount of electronic waste is also increasing. A study by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency showed that in 2005 used or unwanted electronics amounted to about 1.9 to 2.2 million tons. Of that, some 1.5 to 1.9 million tons was primarily discarded in landfills, and only 345,000 to 379,000 tons were recycled.

By recycling old electronics products, useful materials -- such as glass, plastic and metals -- can be collected and re-used in the manufacture of other products.