Popular electronics retailer Best Buy Co Inc announced yesterday the launch of its new recycling program. The plan involves 117 U.S. stores and it will assist consumers recycle their electronics.

The targeted items include computers, cameras, phones and also televisions and monitors. At this point, the focus is on this set of products and items such as air conditioners and microwave ovens will not be accepted.

The stores, located in Baltimore, San Francisco, Minnesota, Minneapolis, North Dakota, South Dakota, Iowa, Wisconsin, Virginia and Washington will accept as many as two electronic items per day per household and the recycling process will be carried out free of charge.

If the project will turn out successful and people will show interest for recycling, Best Buy might introduce the program in all of its 922 U.S. stores.

"We want to take the time to learn if we can handle this before we go any further," said Best Buy spokeswoman Kelly Groehler, according to the Associated Press. "We know the need is there and the waste stream is there. We think everyone needs to bear some responsibility for this — consumers, retailers and manufacturers," he added.

The issue concerning proper recycling methods has been widely debated especially over the last few years. The rapid technological progress invites consumers to upgrade their lifestyle with new electronics every 2-3 years, and the quantities of over-the-hill products are immense.

The initiative has been praised by many, as many recycling specialists, local governments or community groups usually demand a payment in exchange for handling the electronics waste.