Apple Announces Free Recycling for Schools

Apple has announced an initiative to recycle outdated or unwanted Mac computers occupying valuable space in schools, free of charge. The program, available until July 31, 2009, also extends to PCs and qualifying peripherals from any manufacturer, according to Apple.

“This spring, Apple will recycle your school’s old, unwanted Mac computers, PCs, and qualifying peripherals from any manufacturer—for free,” the company states on its website. “There’s no purchase required, and all accredited K-12 and higher education institutions with at least 25 pieces of recyclables are eligible to participate. Just register in time, follow the steps, and we’ll do the rest,” Apple adds. Those “pieces,” according to the company, are limited to computers, printers, and displays.

Then, the company goes to explain how the process works, revealing that interested school administrators will need to register by July 31, 2009, in order to take advantage of this opportunity. According to the company, “All products must be packaged according to the instructions and collected by August 31, 2009 [...] In addition to the 25 pieces, we accept all brands of the following equipment: computers, monitors, laptops, printers, fax machines, scanners, desktop-size copy machines, CD drives, hard drives, TVs, VCRs, projectors, overhead projectors, networking equipment, cables, keyboards, and mice.”

Apple promises that its Recycling Program for Education ensures that those old computers (as well as the peripherals and accessories that qualify for the program) will get disposed of in an environmentally responsible manner, with special consideration given to data security. As such...

– All recycled hard drives are ground into confetti-size pieces.
– Customers receive a certificate of destruction for each lot recycled through the program.
– All asset tags and other identifying information are removed prior to destruction.
– All of the electronic waste collected through the program is domestically processed in the United States.

Remember, the offer expires on July 31, 2009. Interested parties are encouraged to register as soon as possible.