Dell and Goodwill Partner for Free Computer Recycling

Dell and Goodwill Partner for Free Computer Recycling

Goodwill Association of Michigan and Dell Computers introduced RECONNECT Michigan, a computer recovery, reuse and recycling opportunity for Michigan consumers.

The pilot program offers drop-off recycling and reuse options for unwanted computers at no charge to consumers across the state, and gives them the opportunity to support a local charity.

The launch of this program follows a recent decision by the Michigan Department of Information Technology to have Dell manage asset-retirement services for state-owned computer equipment. That program is also available to local governments, schools and other nonprofit organizations statewide.

RECONNECT Michigan uses the donations infrastructure of a nonprofit and the experience and recycling resources of a technology company to offer a proactive, community-based solution designed for environmentally responsible computer disposal.

The partnership's goal is to divert at least 3.3 million pounds of used computers and computer equipment from landfills over one year. Other goals are to provide education on the importance of proper computer disposal while creating job opportunities for individuals with disabilities and other employment barriers throughout Michigan.

"Michigan consumers are both community-minded and environmentally conscious, so this public-private program makes great sense," said Teri Takai, chief information officer for the state of Michigan. "This effort will help create shared solutions to the challenges of electronics disposal and make our state a safer, healthier place to live."

Goodwill Industries of Central Texas and Goodwill Industries of San Francisco have partnered with Dell on similar pilot programs. Success of these pilots has prompted Dell and Goodwill to implement a regional version of the program across Michigan.

The 11 Goodwill members of the Goodwill Association of Michigan will accept donations of residential computer equipment of any brand. The unwanted computers will be collected, sorted and consolidated by Goodwill.

"This is an exciting opportunity for Goodwill to bring convenient computer recycling to consumers across Michigan and further Goodwill's mission of job creation at the same time," said Susanne Fredericks, executive director of the Goodwill Association of Michigan. "Partnership with Dell will help us ensure we are implementing environmentally sound practices for unwanted computer equipment to Michigan while creating job opportunities for the individuals we serve."

Equipment with resale value will be separated and entered into Dell's Asset Recovery Services value-recovery processes. Proceeds from equipment recovery will be returned to the Goodwill Association of Michigan for re-investment in a variety of job-creation and other community programs.

Equipment without resale value will be recycled; responsible recycling will be handled by Electronic Partners Corp. (ePC) under stringent Dell guidelines. ePC is a part of Chasm Industries, a firm that specializes in electronic asset management and recycling services.

Consumers are responsible for removing data from their hard drives and other storage media before making their donation; neither Dell nor Goodwill takes any responsibility for that data.

A survey of Michigan consumers showed that 49 percent of consumers do not know how to dispose of unwanted computers and that 70 percent would prefer an option to donate unwanted computer equipment to a charitable organization. This project will offer Michigan consumers the convenience of permanent drop-off locations and the ability to support a local charity.

"The partnership with Goodwill Association of Michigan underscores Dell's commitment to environmentally sound recycling and to making the process easy and affordable for consumers," said Shawn Dennis, vice president of global branding for Dell. "The chance to test this pilot on a statewide basis in Michigan should help us learn how to expand similar programs across the United States more quickly."

Beginning today, residents across Michigan can call toll free, 866-48-REUSE (866-487-3873), or visit http://www.reconnectpartnership.com to learn about drop-off options for unwanted computers and computer equipment at any of 73 Goodwill locations.