AppleInsider StaffBeginning in June, Apple Computer will extend its recycling program to offer new Mac buyers free recycling of their old computer equipment, the company said on Friday.
Equipment received by the program in the US will be recycled domestically and no hazardous material will shipped overseas, Apple said.
Earlier this week, the Mac and iPod maker was named a “Forward Green Leader,†one of the top ten environmentally progressive companies recognized by the Sierra Club and its investment advisor, Forward Management.
“Apple is committed to supporting our customers and protecting the environment throughout the entire product life cycle, from purchase through to retirement,†said Philip Schiller, Apple’s senior vice president of Worldwide Product Marketing. “Now we are making it even easier for Apple’s customers to safely and affordably recycle their used computers and iPods.â€
Apple's free take-back program is an extension of its existing US recycling program, which has recycled more than 90 percent of electronic equipment collected since 2001. The company also operates a free drop-off recycling location at its headquarters in Cupertino for used computer systems and selected home electronics.
Along with its recycling program extension, Apple also announced that the fifth generation iPod, iPod nano and iPod shuffle are 100 percent compliant with the upcoming restrictions of hazardous substances (RoHS) in California and Europe, which are recognized as the new global standard for environmental regulation.
iPod’s RoHS compliance comes months ahead of the July 1 deadline set by the European Union, and most of the materials covered by the RoHS directive, including mercury, cadmium, chromium VI and brominated flame retardants, were voluntarily eliminated from all Apple products years ago.
Additionally, Apple said its iPod power adapters now exceed Energy Star efficiency requirements and already meet California’s stricter appliance efficiency regulations, which are scheduled to take effect July 1, 2008.
Wesley Hilliard
Marko Zivkovic
Christine McKee
Malcolm Owen
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27 Comments
Way to go Apple and take the lead on these important environmental issues!
The iPod take-back program is kind of silly, it only seems to serve as getting inexpensive replacement parts off the market. You can get more money by selling even a broken iPod on eBay than you can by selling it back to Apple.
The iPod take-back program is kind of silly, it only seems to serve as getting inexpensive replacement parts off the market. You can get more money by selling even a broken iPod on eBay than you can by selling it back to Apple.
If you're not looking for the money, then this is a an environmentally sound solution to your discards.
Way to go Apple and take the lead on these important environmental issues!
Take the lead? Seems to me they're just trying to catch up to the other vendors out there.
Take the lead? Seems to me they're just trying to catch up to the other vendors out there.
Examples would be nice. I know of PC Recycle but I don't know of a Dell store in town where I can take my computer or even an address to ship it. Would be nice too because then maybe I could dispose of all these crap dells my parents got from their office.
Anyways back to the subject at hand. I was kind of hoping that there would be a 10% towards your next purchase option on there like they have for iPods. That would make it more desirable.
Also keep in mind people that your gen one won't sell for very much anyways... Plus the hassle of dealing with scammers when buying and selling apple goods on eBay almost makes it not worth it.
I think that the recycling program will most likely be more useful for macs because they depreciate in value faster then the iPods do because iPods die faster.