Dell is expanding its consumer electronics recycling program with Goodwill and its own tech trade-in operation, while the
M&K Recovery Group says it harvested 15 percent more copperware from computer gear than it did in 2007.
The companies detailed their latest activities on the e-cycling front in separate announcements yesterday. Such growth is welcome news in the drive to better manage tech waste.
The U.S. is
awash in used, broken and old consumer electronics -- from cell phones and laptops to televisions and sophisticated entertainment systems. The number of programs to recycle goods is increasing, but those efforts have yet to check the flow of gear that's discarded every day.
Dell said Wednesday that its
U.S. Reconnect recycling partnership with Goodwill Industries added six new states- - Arkansas, Iowa, Maine, New Hampshire, Oregon and Vermont -- and three new cities -- Akron, Ohio, Frederick, Md. and New Haven, Conn.
With the new participants, the Dell program to take back used consumer electronics, regardless of brand, will be active in 1,000 Goodwill stores.
Dell also formally launched its
Dell Exchange online program in which U.S. customers can recycle electronics of any brand through the company in exchange for Dell gift cards. The card values are based on the equipment being recycled, and an interactive tool is available online to calculate estimated value. The exchange program began in pilot form in November.
According to the company, it has already reached its goal to recycle 275 million pounds of equipment by 2009.
M&K says it reclaimed 600,000 pounds of copper-related materials in 2008. The haul from circuit boards, cable and brass represents a 15 percent increase in the yield from recycling compared to 2007.
