14 DAY TRIAL // Apple’s Reuse and Recycling Program is undergoing some changes, including a new policy that says any old Mac, PC, iPad, or iPhone can be recycled for free now.
“Turn that iPhone, iPad, or computer — Mac or PC — you’re not using anymore into something brand new,” Apple states.
Previously Apple offered free recycling of old Macs and PCs only to customers who bought a new Mac.
Those who didn’t could recycle through Apple for a US$30 fee.
Now Apple will recycle your old Mac, PC, monitor etc. for free, regardless of whether you buy a new Mac or not.
Moreover, if the device is still worth something, Apple will compensate you for it.
“Send it to us and we’ll determine if it qualifies for reuse. If it does, that means your device has monetary value that we’ll apply to an Apple Gift Card, which you can use for purchases at any Apple Retail Store or the Apple Online Store.”
If not, it gets ‘taken care of’ for free.
“If your iPhone, iPad, Mac, or PC doesn’t qualify for reuse, we’ll recycle it responsibly at no cost to you,” reads the company’s updated documentation.
To get your gift card, you first need to tell Apple about your device. The Cupertino giant specifically notes that only iPhone, iPad, and Mac or PC desktop and notebook computers qualify for the Apple Reuse and Recycling Program.
As soon as Apple sends you an estimate, the next step is to ship your device. PowerON is Apple’s partner in this initiative.
An industry leader in the responsible reuse and recycling of used IT assets founded in 1994, PowerON will estimate the fair market value of the product andwill provide convenient prepaid options for packaging and shipping to their facility for evaluation.
The final step involves nothing on your end, except maybe for a little bit of patience.
“After a short time, your Apple Gift Card will arrive in the mail. Use it for purchases at any Apple Retail Store or the Apple Online Store,” Apple concludes.
The Reuse and Recycling Program applies to U.S. only. There are some states, like Hawaii, Illinois, Maine, Maryland, Oregon, Rhode Island, Vermont, Washington, and West Virginia, where other free U.S. recycling programs are available.
A special initiative has been available for residents of Cupertino (home land of Apple Inc.) for almost a decade now.
There, people have been able to recycle their used or unwanted computers and home electronics free at Apple’s Cupertino recycling collection facility since 2002.