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Apple to recycle old computers for free
Fri, 28 Apr 2006
Apple Computer Inc. will soon adopt an environmentally friendly twist for buyers of new Macintosh computers by offering to recycle their old computers for free.

The beginning of the new eco-friendly campaign said to be scheduled in June. Thus, any customer who purchases a new Mac computer through Apple online shops or retail stores will also receive free recycling possibilities for their older computer.

Apple also uses a similar procedure with old iPod players, allowing users to recycle them for free.

For the time being, people who live in Cupertino can drop the old machines directly at the company's headquarters, while residents of other areas have to pay a $30 recycling fee.

"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, in a statement to the press.

"The call for more recycling was appropriate. It's certainly popular now and needed", stated Weldon Wilson, Apple shareholder, according to Abc7news.com.

Environmental advocacy organisations that have criticized Apple's recycling initiatives in the past applauded the computer maker's expanded program, saying it is now closer in line with those of other major PC makers, notably Hewlett-Packard Co. and Dell Inc.

But the environmental groups contend Apple still needs to do more and will present a proposal at Apple's shareholder meeting to study ways to improve recycling.