Computer maker Dell and office supply chain Staples have announced a new partnership that enables customers to recycle any amount of Dell gear—including monitors, printers, computers, and peripherals—at Staple’s U.S. store locations for free, without having to make any kind of purchase. The deal marks the largest free consumer computer recycling program in the country, and is an extension of Staple’s existing EcoEasy in-store technology recycling program, which already enables customers to recycle small items like cell phones for free, and larger items (like non-Dell computers) for a small fee.
“Providing convenient recycling options is one of the ways Staples makes it easy for our customers to make a difference for the environment,” said Staple’s senior VP of merchandising Peter Scala, in a statement. “By working with Dell on this nationwide program, we are making it even easier for small businesses and individuals to responsibly dispose of their technology at the end of its use.”
The program is being managed by Eco International, one of the U.S.’s leading electronics recyclers, and conforms with guidelines set out by the Environmental Protection Agency as well as Dell’s own recycling policies, which prohibit export of e-waste for overseas processing or the landfilling of environmentally hazardous materials.
