Dell recycles 150 million pounds of used electronics in 2011

Dell Computer announced it diverted more than 68 million kilograms (150 million lbs.) of end-of-life electronics globally from landfills in fiscal year 2011, a 16 percent increase over fiscal year 2010. Dell is about two-thirds of the way toward its goal of recycling 1 billion pounds of e-waste by 2014.

“Dell’s responsible electronics recycling record in the industry is second to none,” said Mike Watson, Director of Dell’s Take Back program. “As we strive to reach our 1 billion-pound target by 2014, we’re focused on educating people and creating awareness on the benefits of computer recycling and how Dell makes it easy to do so.”

Recycling is Easy 

Dell Reconnect, the company’s partnership with Goodwill Industries in the United States and Canada since 2004, makes it easy for people to recycle unwanted computer equipment including computers (laptops and desktops), monitors, printers, and scanners and other computer accessories from landfills. Through Dell Reconnect, people may recycle any brand computer in any condition and feel confident it will be recycled responsibly. Dell recovered 43 million kilograms (95 million lbs.) of computer equipment in the Americas during fiscal year 2011. Dell’s Reconnect program supports the Goodwill mission to help create jobs for people with barriers to employment. Dell Reconnect has helped create more than 250 jobs in the Goodwill network. Residents in the U.S. and Canada can find more than 2, 200 participating Goodwill donation sites by visiting Dell Reconnect.

Dell in 2009 was the first major computer manufacturer to ban the export of non-working electronics to developing nations.

This week and on Earth Day, Dell team members globally are observing “Earth Day Dell” with activities supported by its Green Teams, including seminars, riding bicycles to work and car-pooling to help build support for environmentally sensitive practices. Dell and Goodwill will conduct a recycling event at its Round Rock headquarters Friday, April 22.