Dell and Sandusky, Ohio-Area Goodwill Industries Launch Free Computer Recycling Service

Reconnect, a free Dell and Goodwill Industries drop-off program to recycle unwanted computers, was introduced here today for residents in the four-county Sandusky area.

• Reconnect offers consumers free recycling for any brand of computer equipment in any condition.
• Program goals are: to divert over 100,000 pounds of used computers and computer equipment from area landfills over the next year; provide consumer education on the importance of environmentally-responsible computer disposal and support Goodwill’s job training and creation programs.
• Consumers can drop off used computers at any of eight Goodwill donation centers across the region. Goodwill will accept and sort the donated computer equipment and Dell's product recovery partner will recycle and remarket the recycled materials.
• Consumers are responsible for removing data from hard drives and other storage media before donating to Goodwill. Consumers can also request a Goodwill receipt at time of donation.
• 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, the State of New Jersey and City of Philadelphia, Northwest Ohio, Western New York State, the greater Rochester area, and throughout the state of Michigan and Commonwealth of Virginia. With today’s launch Reconnect offers 575 drop-off locations for free computer recycling to consumers.
• 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.

Ohio State Senator Mark Wagoner applauded the program, stating, “At a time when Ohioans are looking for ways to reduce their impact on the environment and preserve it for future generations, the Reconnect Program is providing a unique opportunity to recycle old, outdated computer equipment. I personally want to offer my thanks and support to Dell and SBA Goodwill for their efforts and the launch of this innovative recycling program.”

Robert Talcott, Jr., SBA Goodwill’s President and CEO said, “This is a real plus for our communities and the people we serve. We are excited to be working with Dell on this, and I ask others to join me in complimenting the company for what it is doing, not only here but nationally.”

Joe Strathmann, head of product recovery services for Dell said, “Dell wants to make computer recycling easy and free for consumers and Reconnect helps make that possible. Reconnect is a win for consumers, a win for the environment and a win for communities, and we’re glad to join SBA Goodwill in this endeavor

Founded in 1973, SBA Goodwill is based in Sandusky and serves most of Erie, Huron, Ottawa and Sandusky counties. In 2007 the agency provided some 1,400 training and employment services to 711 disabled or disadvantaged individuals.

Only Dell offers free computer recycling to consumers worldwide.