Dell updates global product recycling
policy
Dell has taken the next big step in product-stewardship
with their latest product recycling policy. On June 28th, Michael
Dell announced Dell’s new global recycling policy –
Dell will provide consumers with free recycling of any Dell product
with or without the purchase of a new Dell product.
This is in addition to Dell’s already existing
policy of recycling electronics from any manufacturer with the purchase
of a new Dell. There are three steps for a consumer to go through
to obtain Dell recycling.
First they need to go online and enter the asset
tag (a unique ID on each piece of Dell equipment). Then they will
print out the label and package the recyclables as instructed. Finally,
they arrange for an in-home pickup of the package.
All of this is free of charge, even the in-home
pickup. According to Michael Dell, “We don’t believe
that consumers should have to pay for the responsible retirement
of used electronic products.” He went on to state that, “Our
direct relationships with consumers allow us to offer this easy
and free service.”
Dell has priorities when deciding what to do with
the recycled equipment. The first priority of the company is re-use
of the equipment in its original form. To this effect, many of the
collected computers are donated to worthy causes. If the equipment
is not usable in its original form, then Dell attempts to re-use
components of the whole separately. Finally, if that is not possible,
Dell will arrange for the materials to be recycled.
According to Kate Krebs, executive director of
the National Recycling Coalition, the announcement by Dell is “really
just the genesis of a journey towards greater producer responsibility
for products and packaging that we have in our everyday lives.”
Krebs went on to request that Dell’s competitors match their
commitment to free and convenient recycling services for their customers.
The policy has already been implemented in Europe,
and Dell hopes to have the United States program up and running
by September. |
