Dell and Abvi-Goodwill Launch Free Computer Recycling Service For Residents of the Greater Rochester Area

Reconnect, a free drop-off program to recycle unwanted computers, was introduced today by Dell and the Association for the Blind and Visually Impaired (ABVI)-Goodwill of Greater Rochester, Inc.

• Reconnect offers consumers in the greater Rochester area and surrounding counties free recycling for any brand of computer equipment in any condition.
  
• Program goals are to divert over 300,000 pounds of used computers and computer equipment from area landfills over the next year; and provide consumer education on the importance of environmentally-responsible computer disposal. Reconnect also can help create job opportunities for individuals who are blind or visually impaired or who have other barriers to employment or independence.
  
• ABVI-Goodwill will accept and sort the donated computer equipment and Dell's product recovery partner will recycle and remarket the recycled materials. All proceeds support programs, services and job opportunities at ABVI-Goodwill for people who are blind or visually impaired. Residents are responsible for removing data from hard drives and other storage media before donating to Goodwill. ABVI-Goodwill staff will provide donors with a donation receipt at the time of donation.
  
• Reconnect was also launched recently in Western New York State.
  
• Other Reconnect programs currently exist in Austin, Texas (15 counties in Central Texas), San Francisco (Marin, San Francisco and San Mateo counties), San Antonio (23 counties in Central and South Texas), Houston (15 counties), North Carolina (49 counties), San Diego County, Pittsburgh, Northern New Jersey, Northwest Ohio and throughout the state of Michigan.
  
• Dell provides consumers worldwide free computer recycling. In 2007 the company collected 102 million pounds of IT equipment from customers, a 20 percent increase over 2006.

“As a longtime advocate for developing strong electronic waste recycling programs, I applaud ABVI-Goodwill on their local efforts to move us towards smarter recycling policies,” said Congresswoman Louise M. Slaughter. “By providing our community with the opportunity to recycle responsibly, this program will help to protect our environment while creating much-needed new jobs for our blind and visually impaired citizens.”

“ABVI-Goodwill is pleased to begin the operational phase of our partnership with Dell,” said A. Gidget Hopf, Ed.D., president and chief executive officer of ABVI-Goodwill. “This exciting new program is a reflection of our commitment to what we call the triple bottom line – people, profit and planet. The program will create jobs, add revenue, and contribute significantly and positively to our environment.”

“Dell wants to make computer recycling easy, convenient and free for any consumer, and Reconnect is an important program that helps make that possible,” said Joe Strathmann, head of product recycling services for Dell. “This program is a win on all fronts, it benefits the environment, the community and consumers in the greater Rochester area.”

About ABVI-Goodwill of Greater Rochester

ABVI-Goodwill of Greater Rochester, Inc., founded in 1911, has a mission to prepare and empower people who are blind or visually impaired to be self-sufficient and contribute to their families and communities. Through a variety of entrepreneurial business initiatives, including manufacturing, call center, food service and Goodwill retail operations, the agency is able to support this mission and provide programs, services, career training, and employment opportunities to people who are blind or visually impaired or have other barriers to employment or independence.