Our obsession with owning the latest technology presents a dilemma: Considering that TVs, DVD players and other electronics contain hazardous waste — including toxic lead, mercury and heavy metals that can contaminate water supplies — how can we safely discard the old to make room for the new?

One solution: Take such items to your nearest Best Buy store. The national retailer has announced its goal to recycle 1 billion pounds of electronics by the end of 2014.

The store accepts most electronics at no charge: three items per household per day. It then works with contracted recyclers who dismantle the products, separating out the commodities such as metals, plastics and so on, and recycling or repurposing these elements into new products.

For more information on your local store’s policies: www.bestbuy.com/recycle

Catch more home and lifestyle tips at RE/Max of Cherry Creek’s blog.