Dell Announces Major Expansion of Free Computer Recycling Program

Dell expanded its U.S. Reconnect recycling partnership with Goodwill Industries to six additional states, including Arkansas, Iowa, Maine, New Hampshire, Oregon and Vermont. Akron, Ohio, Frederick, Md. and New Haven, Conn. are new Reconnect cities. The program is free for consumers who want to responsibly recycle any brand of unwanted computer equipment.

Today’s announcement brings the total number of participating Goodwill retail stores to more than 1,000 nationwide. In keeping with its mission of job creation, Goodwill plans to hire additional staff to oversee the expanded recycling program.

Dell also launched Dell Exchange, a free online trade-in system that enables U.S. customers to help keep unwanted electronics out of landfills by exchanging them for Dell gift cards. The trade-in option, which has been a pilot program since November 2008, is now available to U.S. customers.

With today’s announcements, Dell is making it even easier for customers to responsibly recycle unwanted electronics. Through its extensive recycling options for consumers, small and medium businesses, large enterprises and governments worldwide, Dell reached its goal to recycle 275 million pounds of equipment ahead of schedule. The company was the first IT vendor to set product recovery goals in 2004, completed the rollout of its global recycling program in 2006 and remains the only company in its industry to offer a free worldwide recycling program for consumers.

Dell is meeting the manufacturer requirements of Oregon’s recently passed Electronics Recycling Law and the Oregon E-Cycles program. The company has also been designated as a Tier-1 Manufacturer in the Oregon E-Cycles program.

In November 2008, Dell and Staples made history by announcing a free in-store recycling program for Dell’s customers. Customers can responsibly recycle any amount of Dell branded computers, printers, monitors or peripheral items for free at Staples’ 1,500 U.S. store locations, without having to make a purchase.

Through its nine-year partnership with the National Cristina Foundation (NCF), Dell customers may also donate any working computer system to non-profit organizations in their areas. NCF matches consumer donations to local non-profit organizations, public agencies and schools. The program is available throughout the U.S., Canada, the United Kingdom, Ireland, France and major markets in Brazil.

Dell also offers an extensive suite of recycling and asset recovery services to help large enterprises maximize their IT investments, minimize storage costs and recycle unwanted computer equipment securely and responsibly. The company manages the environmental risks of disposal with a global environmental partner network that exceeds the standards covered in the EPA’s Responsible Recycling (R2) business practices.

Quotes:

“Today we’re making it even easier for environmentally-conscious customers to do the right thing,” said Mike Watson, senior manager of Dell Global Recycling Services. “Every technology provider has a responsibility to provide free, easy and responsible recycling to consumers worldwide. We hope 2009 is the year that brings the industry together around this shared principle.”

“In addition to free and responsible recycling, the Dell-Reconnect partnership is enabling job creation and skill training at a time when both are very much needed,” said Jim Gibbons, President and CEO for Goodwill Industries International. “We commend Dell for setting a leadership example for the rest of the industry and for playing an important role in the creation of green-collar jobs.”

Dell and Goodwill Launch Reconnect Texas

Reconnect, a free computer recycling service for any brand of computer is now available throughout the State of Texas and the greater Shreveport, La. area. Reconnect is managed by Dell and Goodwill Industries. Texas is the fifth state to have a statewide Reconnect program.

• Free Computer Recycling Program Will Collect More Than 11 Million Pounds of Used Equipment
• 319 Drop-off Sites Throughout Region Available To Consumers

Reconnect offers consumers free recycling for any brand of computer equipment in any condition. Consumers can find the most convenient of 319 drop-off locations.

Reconnect Texas goals are: to divert 11.5 million 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.

The first Reconnect program was launched with Goodwill Industries of Central Texas in Oct. 2004. Reconnect San Antonio was launched in July 2006 and Reconnect Houston was launched in March of 2008.

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.

Background

With today’s launch, Reconnect offers 955 drop-off locations for free computer recycling to consumers in several U.S. markets.

Dell leads the industry in providing consumers free and convenient computer recycling options.In 2007 the company collected 102 million pounds of IT equipment from customers, a 20 percent increase over 2006.

Other Reconnect programs currently exist in:

• the state of Michigan
• the State of New Jersey and City of Philadelphia,
• the Commonwealth of Virginia and Greater D.C. Area
• New York State
• North Carolina (49 counties),
• San Francisco (Marin, San Francisco and San Mateo counties),
• San Diego,
• Pittsburgh,
• Savannah, Ga.
• Northwest Ohio,
• Sandusky Bay Area, Ohio,

Quotes:

Dan Nisley, current president of the Texas Association of Goodwills, said, “This program helps protect the Texas environment, provides a free service to Texas consumers and helps the members of the Texas Association of Goodwills create jobs in our great state. All of our members are very happy to join Reconnect and bring a program started in Texas four years ago to all Texas consumers.”

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. We’re celebrating the expansion of Reconnect to cover all of Texas just four years after we first tried this program in Austin.”