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macrumors bot
Original poster
Apr 12, 2001
63,292
30,376


Apple announced that they had expanded their recycling program by now offering free computer take-back and recycling with any purchase of a new Mac starting in June.

U.S. customers purchasing through Apple's online store or retail store will receive free shipping and environmentally friendly disposal of their old computer.

"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."

Apple had previously announced an iPod recycling program in 2005.
 

hcuar

macrumors 65816
Jul 23, 2004
1,065
0
Dallas
This is a great program... It's getting harder to dispose of old computer equipment. Our local garbage won't take a computer or monitor. You have to pay a recycling fee and take the computer to the dump.
 

mattthemutt

macrumors regular
Jun 13, 2004
176
0
Ontario, Canada
Nice to see a Fortune 500 company taking some environmental initiative. I was just reading "The Corporation: The Pathological Pursuit of Profit and Power" which talks about corporations and environmental concerns. Quite interesting.
 

Leoff

macrumors regular
Jun 8, 2004
140
0
And, of course, there's negative ratings. Who would rate this negative?

Probably someone who wants Apple to pay them for their computer.
 

MacTruck

macrumors 65816
Jan 27, 2005
1,241
0
One Endless Loop
Leoff said:
And, of course, there's negative ratings. Who would rate this negative?

Probably someone who wants Apple to pay them for their computer.


Who would throw away a computer? And yep, this program would be nice if they bought them off of you. Maybe you people should call some schools in your area. I bet they would love to come pick them up from you. There is also the united way, toys for totts, salvation army... all of which will come to your house and pick them up. Think people.
 

mlrproducts

macrumors 6502
Apr 18, 2004
443
522
I assume this means we'll see Apple_Authorized_Outlet become the newest eBay member?

If you want FREE recycling now, I'll pay shipping to me for most of your computer related items!
 

puckhead193

macrumors G3
May 25, 2004
9,570
852
NY
i wouldn't mind like 5% off the purchase of a new computer or something, just some very small incentive.....
do u think the apple genius can fix my old LC, it doesn't work.... just sitting their..
 

Ashapalan

macrumors 6502a
Apr 17, 2005
543
0
England
Yet another reason to like apple.

I am curious as to whether this is 'America - Only' though? Have i missed a paragraph answering this?
 

jimN

macrumors 6502a
Jun 23, 2005
941
17
London
Leoff said:
And, of course, there's negative ratings. Who would rate this negative?

Probably someone who wants Apple to pay them for their computer.

A new macs for old policy would be better ;)

You could vote neegative for the lack of an international policy. Us poor forgotten brits:(
 

sishaw

macrumors 65816
Jan 12, 2005
1,147
19
Disposal

MacTruck said:
Who would throw away a computer? And yep, this program would be nice if they bought them off of you. Maybe you people should call some schools in your area. I bet they would love to come pick them up from you. There is also the united way, toys for totts, salvation army... all of which will come to your house and pick them up. Think people.

Depends on how old the computer is. Even schools and nonprofits often have minimum requrements for computers they'll take. I have checked this out in reference to my 450mhz Dell; while I'll save the hard drive, I've yet to find anyone who would take it, even for free. When I eventually upgrade to an iMac for my desk, this recycling program would be excellent for me.
 

velocityg4

macrumors 604
Dec 19, 2004
7,328
4,716
Georgia
I could only see using this if the computer was no longer functional, but I just toss that stuff in the recycling can. Let the recycling center sort it out I say, since I get charged to recycle anyway.

However if it is still functional I will sell it if worth over $300. If it is worth less I will offer it to a friend with an older machine, assuming they don't want the computer I will bring it to the Salvation Army.

Remember when giving to the salvation army or any charity include all cords and only 100% functional equipment, they don't have computer cabling and techs lying around you know. If you have any extra VGA, USB or power cords bring them with you they need them since most people do not include them.
 

Damek

macrumors regular
Oct 9, 2003
113
0
New York City, USA
mlrproducts said:
I assume this means we'll see Apple_Authorized_Outlet become the newest eBay member?

If you want FREE recycling now, I'll pay shipping to me for most of your computer related items!

I was thinking along the same lines - I think eBay is probably a more attractive "recycling" program, and more environmental, too, because it lets someone else get some extended use out of an existing thing, rather than them having to go get a new thing and thus consume some more resources.

However, this is still a positive move by Apple, and I hope people who would not be using eBay to "recycle" their old hardware, or who would be unable to sell the hardware due to damage or age, will take advantage of the program to make sure their Apple products get disposed of properly.
 

jruc4871

macrumors regular
May 4, 2005
131
0
Washington, DC
blueimac'00 said:
all you get is free shipping on your purchase? You might as well just give your old comp away.

actually, i believe the 'free shipping' is for sending the old computer to Apple. You already get free shipping for your new Mac from the Apple on-line store.
 

matticus008

macrumors 68040
Jan 16, 2005
3,330
1
Bay Area, CA
This is literally a recycling program. They're offering to provide a free option for the environmental disposal of old computers, for people who would otherwise throw them away. It's not a profit source for customers--this is something that costs Apple money and Apple's refurb store isn't going to swell with the old and broken computers that come back to them.

This isn't a buyback or a trade-up program--no monetary incentives are called for. If the computer still works and isn't cripplingly outdated, by all means give it away to a worthwhile cause or sell it. If it's landfill-bound, then this is the perfect green solution.
 

nostaws

macrumors 6502a
Jan 14, 2006
519
472
Apple making money? I don't think they will be able to give away my LC II. Still runs - But no CD rom drive: Just Floppies. I love them Apples, but the LC II was perhaps my worst purchasing decision - ever.
 

eme jota ce

macrumors regular
Jul 26, 2005
193
0
Chicago
What are the values / costs for Apple in an old computer

Assuming that they receive mostly 4 to 10 year old computers, what are the components that they can salvage or reuse or extract value? What are the components that are costly to properly dispose?
 

dornoforpyros

macrumors 68040
Oct 19, 2004
3,070
4
Calgary, AB
hmm..in alberta they already charge a recycling levy on new computers/tvs/monitors and they have specific places to take old equipment.

Although maybe this is just a US thing.
 
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