Dell Recycling Recognized With IDC G.R.A.D.E. Certification

Dell’s Asset Recovery Services, which help enterprise customers responsibly retire used IT equipment, has been recognized by IDC with the Green Recycling and Asset Disposal for the Enterprise (G.R.A.D.E.) certification. IDC published the 2008 Assessment of U.S. IT Asset Disposal Service Providers, Doc #213383 today.

“Dell provides convenient and responsible product retirement options to all of our customers. Doing so not only meets shared environmental goals but also helps customers simplify the management of their enterprise by protecting against data and environmental liability and minimizing the cost of disposal,” said Doug Hillary, director of services for Dell.

The IDC G.R.A.D.E. certification process is based on 34 IT Asset Disposal (ITAD)-related functions and tasks and uses a multi-dimensional weighting system that incorporates the broad offerings of remote applications, onsite services, logistics, in-plant processing, and post treatment. IDC G.R.A.D.E. certification is currently focused on the U.S. market.

“Selection of an ITAD vendor affects not only a company’s environmental record, but also the effective safeguard of company intellectual and physical assets. The G.R.A.D.E. certification can help a company select a responsible vendor, and we are pleased to recognize Dell as one of the first to receive the certification,” said David Daoud, Research Manager at IDC.

Dell Asset Recovery Services (ARS) help retire IT assets for business and institutional customers around the globe. Customers can take advantage of value recovery, robust reporting, reverse logistics and responsible recycling. An IDC study commissioned by Dell last year showed that data security was the number one consideration for companies selecting a third-party ITAD provider.

Small businesses can also take advantage of Dell’s product recovery services. Dell provides an online service to companies recycling fewer than 10 pieces of equipment, allowing them to easily manage, return and track used assets through the recycling process.

ARS is part of Dell’s global product take back organization, which also provides consumers free and convenient product recycling. Dell remains the only company in its industry providing consumers free recycling for its products worldwide. The company also provides free recycling of other brand products with the purchase of a new Dell product. Dell continues to expand its Reconnect alliance with Goodwill. Consumers can now take advantage of free and convenient recycling at 385 attended drop-off Reconnect locations in 24 U.S. markets.

Dell also continues to lead the industry in setting responsible recycling standards, including minimization of landfill use globally, no export of waste and regular third-party audits of materials disposition. Dell reported recovery of 102 million pounds of IT equipment from customers during 2007, a 20 percent increase over 2006.

Dell’s product recycling offerings is a key element of the company’s goal to be the greenest technology company on the planet.