Dell and Staples unite on recycling scheme

DELL ANNOUNCED yesterday that it is clubbing together with Staples to offer a free recycling service for used computer equipment.

So, if you’ve got any Dell computers, printers, monitors or peripherals lying around, you can dump them all at a Staples store near you. As long as you live in the United States that is.

Staples is the first store to offer such a service to the computer company, it doesn’t even ask that you make a purchase while canning your computer parts.

Staples and Dell are working with Eco International to handle recycling of office equipment, following the guidelines set by the US Government.

Staples is a member of the Environmental Protection Agency’s Plug-into eCycling Partnership and was one of the first national retailers to offer such a program.

The store already offers a free recycling program for non-Dell branded equipment such as mobile phones and smaller electronics – larger office equipment can also be recycled, yet if it isn’t made by Dell, the company charges a small fee.

David Daoud, research manager for IDC said, “The Dell and Staples effort is a very compelling manufacturer-retailer recycling partnership and is a substantial step forward in increasing the number of computers recovered for responsible recycling in the United States."

Ed Skernolis, acting executive director of the National Recycling Coalition said, “Congratulations to Dell and Staples on launching the largest free consumer computer recycling program in the country today.”

Skernolis continues to say that this program is a win for consumers as it brings more free and responsible recycling options for used computer equipment in an easy-to-use program, he expects it will help increase recycling rates for used computers.

Dell and Staples both say that this recycling program fits in with each company's goal to become more eco-friendly, and they are pleased that this eff ort will bring them closer together.

We have asked Dell and Staples if and when the scheme will be extended outside the USA and await their replies. µ

L'Inq
Dell

Update

Dell told us: "At this time, this initiative is only being rolled out in US stores but Dell is always looking at ways to expand our recycling offers to customers in the UK."

Well... why don't they look at offering UK customers the same service they offer our colonial cousins? After all... we pay substantially more for the same bit of kit as they do.