Dell, HP offer recycling deals

Consumers can turn in unwanted electronics gadgets for recycling this summer at more than 850 Office Depot stores throughout the country through a deal announced Tuesday between the retailer and Hewlett Packard.

Between July 18 and Sept. 6, customers can drop off information technology and digital entertainment products from any manufacturer, including desktops, notebooks, keyboards, printers, scanners, handhelds, digital cameras, fax machines, desktop copiers, flat panel displays, monitors, TV/VCR combos and cell phones, the companies said.

The goods will be recycled at HP's facilities in Roseville, Calif., and near Nashville, Tenn. The firms did not disclose the financial arrangements for running the recycling effort.

Studies have shown that disposal of old electronic goods are actually a costly proposition for companies. For instance, recycling of an obsolete PC can cost $85 to $136. HP recently announced an ambitious e-waste recycling target of one billion pounds by 2008.

Separately, Dell announced today that it will offer a free home pick-up and recycling service to purchasers of its Dimension desktop or Inspiron notebook lines.

Under the offer, available for a limited period, customers can pack their outdated computer systems in the box that the new system came in, and arrange for free home pick-up through courier firm DHL.

Dell has been offering free recycling for used printers since it launched printer products in March 2003.

Legal issues

If the products are considered waste, is there appropriate licensing involved in this? For example waste carrier licenses? Waste Management Licenses? Good to see a forward thinking organisation of this size taking positive steps forward, hopefully its all onboard as well to set an even better example.