Create a Fitbit recycling program

[Cloudy9832]

My Fitbit HR was not holding charge so received a replacement for free after contacting customer support.  I am disappointed that I was only advised to recycle the old unit with local e-waste facility.  I don't mind spending my own time tracking down a place because I care.  But Amazon offers free e-recycling program for their old products, not just defective units.  Given how many Fitbit I've seen on people's wrists I'll think twice before purchasing a Fitbit in the future (received my current one as a gift).

Moderator Edit: Clarified subject and updated label

[MarieUK]

I have just spent over half an hour trying to find out how to recycle my broken Fitbit strap, including back and forth with customer support. I can not find out how to recycle this silicon band. Responsible businesses should accept responsibility for the waste they generate, especially with hard to recycle materials like this. Please consider 1) urgently instating a recycling program where these bands can be returned to you or a third party and then recycled at scale, 2) sourcing and manufacturing sustainable straps. I am exhausted with having to feel guilty about yet again dumping something in the trash when it is just not necessary.

[TammiSantaFe]

Thank you for championing this idea!  I'm trying to live life using more sustainable products.  Want to leave a place in better condition than when I found it!

[dianesurb]

I definitely support Fitbit offering a recycling scheme for Fitbits which are old and broken. Large companies need to take responsibility for the products they make and ensure that they are recycled to the best of their ability at the end of their life. It would be even better if they could be fixed!

[BrettNorman]

I support Fitbit recycling old and broken Fitbit. This example should be followed by many tech giants and small manufacturers alike. The problem of recycling is now very acute in our world, given the huge volumes of emissions of various materials, from plastic to nuclear waste. If you are interested in the topic of recycling, then you can get more info here. There you will find a large number of free essays that you can use for yourself or share. We need to be more respectful to our Earth and try to do zero waste and as much as possible recycle.

[321Erin123]

I have an old Fitbit that I'm no longer using and have no idea what to do with it. Ideally, I'd like to be able to responsibly recycle it, use a buyback program with Fitbit for the parts of it that are still perfectly able to be used and recycled into a new product, or donate it to a charity that can use an older Fitbit for whatever reason.

[Odyssey13]

@321Erin123  I know my local Best Buy has a bin outside the entrance door for fitness trackers to be recycled. I just did a quick search and found this https://www.recyclehealth.com/  organization that accepts and donates fitness trackers. They are based in the US and are 501c3, so your donation is tax deductible. 

[YojanaFitbit]

Hi @321Erin123, thanks for taking the time to share this suggestion about creating a Fitbit recycling program. I've moved it into a similar suggestion which has been updated as "Under Consideration". To learn more about how Fitbit decides which suggestions get developed, visit our FAQs.

 I hope to see you around.

[kp_uk]

For products that fail whilst under warranty, include an envelope with postage to return the failed device when you send the replacement. This way, a post-mortem could be done on the device (anything failing whilst under warranty - only a year - is problematic) and the materials could be recycled - something we need to be doing for the planet!

[YojanaFitbit]

Hi @kp_uk, we wanted to let you know that the ideas you recently posted already exist on the Feature Suggestions Board.  I've moved one into a similar request. You can see the second one here, where you can add your vote to this existing suggestion:

• Option to send back Fitbit devices in order to make your future products better.

Please try to make sure you only post one idea per suggestion, so we can keep the board organized, easily searchable and see which idea other members are voting for.

Thanks for participating in Feature Suggestions.