I moved into an older house in 2010. There was a lot of Verizon equipment from the previous owners bolted onto my basement wall, with cables running from it. I did not use Verizon for service, so the equipment sat there on my wall until 2024 when I decided to get rid of it. I called Verizon, and the agent I spoke with said Verizon does not uninstall its old equipment, and told me I needed to call an electrician. I thought that was poor corporate stewardship, but called an electrician all the same and paid money to have the equipment taken down. The Verizon store web site said it would take back old equipment and recycle it, but when I went to one with my old equipment I was told they wouldn't take it and it would just end up in the trash.
I think Verizon's handling of their old plastic and metal equipment is shameful. If they won't come get their old equipment, they should at least assume the responsibility of disposing of it in a sustainable manner when it is brought to them. Other businesses, like Staples, will take electronic waste for recycling.
