Dell and ABVI-Goodwill Launch Free Computer Recycling Service

Dell (News - Alert), a global systems and services company delivering innovative technology and services have teamed with the Association for the Blind and Visually Impaired (ABVI)-Goodwill of Greater Rochester, to launch Reconnect, a free drop-off program to recycle unwanted computers.

 

The recycling service allows consumers in the greater Rochester area and surrounding counties to recycle any brand of computer equipment in any condition. The service is absolutely free. Dell has been providing this worldwide free recycling program and the company in 2007 collected nearly 102 million pounds of IT equipment from customers.

 

Reconnect helps to protect the environment and offer job opportunities for the blind and visually impaired citizens.

 

As per the terms of the program, ABVI-Goodwill will accept and sort the donated computer equipment and Dell's product recovery partner will recycle and remarket the recycled materials.

 

The program supports services and job opportunities at ABVI-Goodwill for people who are blind or visually impaired. Dell and ABBI-Goodwill have clarified that consumers are purely responsible for removing data from hard drives and other storage media before donating to Goodwill. ABVI-Goodwill staff will provide donors with a donation receipt at the time of donation.

 

The program was also launched recently in Western New York State. Other Reconnect programs currently exist in Austin, Texas (15 counties in Central Texas), San Francisco (Marin, San Francisco and San Mateo counties), San Antonio (23 counties in Central and South Texas), Houston (15 counties), North Carolina (49 counties), San Diego County, Pittsburgh, Northern New Jersey, Northwest Ohio and throughout the state of Michigan.

 

"ABVI-Goodwill is pleased to begin the operational phase of our partnership with Dell," said A. Gidget Hopf, Ed.D., president and chief executive officer of ABVI-Goodwill.

 

Gidget added, "This exciting new program is a reflection of our commitment to what we call the triple bottom line - people, profit and planet. The program will create jobs, add revenue, and contribute significantly and positively to our environment."

 

"This program is a win on all fronts, it benefits the environment, the community and consumers in the greater Rochester area," said Joe Strathmann, head of product recycling services for Dell.

 

Established in 1911, ABVI-Goodwill of Greater Rochester, Inc., has a mission to prepare and empower people who are blind or visually impaired to be self-sufficient and contribute to their families and communities. Through a variety of entrepreneurial business initiatives, the agency is supporting this mission.