Some manufacturers provide mail-it-back or other reuse and recycling programs. Check their websites for their programs as well as limited time special offers. Ask the maker of your equipment what services they provide their customers. Most programs will take any brand of equipment.
Apple Computer Apple uses the services of METECH, a reprocessing company in Maine and Gilroy, CA. Cost for recycling 60 pounds of electronics is $30.00 including shipping.
Dell Dell offers a reuse, recycling and donation program. It will pick up any brand computer for recycling from consumers’ homes for a charge of $15. Consumers can order these services online.
Gateway Gateway provides an on-line estimator for the value of your trade-in item and also provides a fee based mail-in recycling option. They have an asset recovery service for those with more than 10 units. For more information visit their website, contact 1-800-GATEWAY, or stop by a Gateway Store.
Hewlett-Packard HP’s computer take-back program offers the ability to return any piece of computer hardware from any manufacturer. The cost of the automated, on-line service ranges from $13 to $34 per item, depending upon the type and quantity of hardware returned.
In 2003 Snohomish County produced a report after conducting a test of cost and convenience of manufacturer mail back programs. Since that time, some programs have been improved.