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Latest News on Dell and Goodwill's Reconnect Program Dell and the EPA are jointly promoting responsible recycling. EPA Administrator Lisa Jackson joined Michael Dell in a press conference July 20th, 2011 in Austin to make the announcement. Click the following link for the complete story.
http://en.community.dell.com/dell-blogs/direct2dell/b/direct2dell/archive/2011/07/20/dell-amp-epa-sign-agreement-encouraging-improved-electronic-recycling.aspx Questions and Answers about Dell’s Reconnect Program
Last Update: August, 2011
What is Reconnect?
“What is the cost for recycling? Dell Reconnect is a free consumer recycling program that allows residents to bring in any brand of computer equipment in any condition and recycles it for free.” What Horizon Goodwill locations participate in the Reconnect program? We are pleased to announce that all Horizon Goodwill Retail Stores and the Attended Donation Center in Hagerstown will participate. Our retail stores are located in: Maryland
| Pennsylvania
| Virginia
| West Virginia
| Grantsville
| Greencastle
| Front Royal
| Berkeley Springs
| Hagerstown
| Waynesboro
| Winchester
| Charles Town
| LaVale |
| Woodstock | Keyser
| Oakland |
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| Martinsburg
| White Oaks |
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| Romney |
How did you choose the existing areas for this program?
The existing areas where Reconnect operates were chosen for a variety of reasons including: the affinity for technology and environment in the communities, the ability and experience of those Goodwill organizations to manage collection of computers and the ability to test the program on a regional basis. Any Goodwill is eligible to join the program and Dell and Goodwill share a long-term vision of making Reconnect a national program.
Are these permanent programs?
Each program is launched as a one-year pilot so that various success factors can be evaluated quarterly by both Dell and Goodwill. These factors include criteria such as the volume of equipment collected, the value returned to Goodwill, the number of jobs Goodwill is able to create, etc. (environment responsibility) Dell and Goodwill share a long-term vision of making this a national program. Every Reconnect program that has been launched remains available today.
What happens to the computers that are collected?
Goodwill will collect the equipment, consolidate it into one location and sort it. Dell picks up the items and transfers them to a Dell authorized recycling partner. Any refurbishment or recycling is managed in accordance with Dell’s Disposal Channel Guidelines.
What is the cost for recycling?
Dell Reconnect is a free consumer recycling program that allows residents to bring in any brand of computer equipment in any conditions and recycles it for free.
What is Dell’s role in this program?
As part of the partnership, Dell provides the operational expertise necessary to ensure that the program meets the highest industry standards in environmental health and safety. The refurbishment and recycling of equipment will be managed by a Dell authorized recycler. This pilot program is the latest in a series of Dell environmental initiatives to increase recycling participation rates and consumer awareness of the need to responsibly recycle computers.
What is Goodwill’s role in this program?
Goodwill provides the donations infrastructure and a sophisticated logistics system to gather and sort the computer donations. Goodwill is also building on its established partnerships with other public and community agencies to generate donations and jobs. Many Goodwills will staff the sorting operation, creating jobs for people who may have had barriers to employment.
How much does it cost a consumer?
There is no-charge to drop off a used computer at any Goodwill donations site where the Reconnect program is operational. (All Horizon Goodwill Retail Locations)
What about data on hard drives?
Residents are advised to remove all personal data from their hard drives before donating a computer. Residents are further advised they should wipe their drive before donation – a number of programs to do this are available online. Neither Goodwill nor Dell are liable for data removal or protection.
Can residents recycle TVs and other electronics with Goodwill?
The program is intended to encourage recycling of computers and computer equipment. Examples of computer equipment are:
| Monitors | Computers | Printers | | Scanners | Hard Drives | Keyboards | | Mice | Speakers | Cords & Cables | | Ink & Toner Cartridges | Software | Microsoft Xbox® | | Microsoft Zune® | Microsoft Branded Webcams | |
Click here for additional information on items accepted.
Some Goodwills may accept other electronics but residents should check with the Goodwill intake centers.
Are donations of used computers tax deductible?
The donation to Goodwill may be tax deductible. Consumers who drop off a computer at a Goodwill location can request a receipt for their donation. Residents should always check with a qualified financial advisor regarding tax issues.
Is Goodwill profiting from this program?
Just like the other generously donated goods that Goodwill re-sells, proceeds from the computers that are refurbished and resold help provide community and job-training services for individuals with barriers to employment.
When will the program be extended to more cities?
Dell and Goodwill are continually working together to evaluate expansion to additional markets, the organizations share a long-term vision of making Reconnect available nationally.
How is this any different from other computer collections in the U.S.?
One of the unique attributes of this program is it brings together the complementary strengths of a non-profit and a corporation to provide a service to consumers. The project may provide a model that other communities can use to provide community-based recycling of electronics.
How much money did each of the partners contribute to the project?
We are not releasing exact amounts but they were minimal commitments from each partner to get the program up and running. The project is designed to become self sufficient once it is operational.
Will people with disabilities be handling the equipment that comes into Goodwill?
This depends on individual Goodwill policies and programs. One benefit of the program is that it may help create Goodwill jobs, traditionally jobs that are held by individuals with barriers to employment.
The proceeds that Goodwill receives from selling refurbished equipment help fund Goodwill’s programs that provide job skills training to those with barriers to employment.
What are your goals for this program? Units collected? Units resold? Units recycled?
The goals of the program are to divert used computers and computer equipment from landfills and to educate area residents on the importance of recycling used electronics. Specific goals for each regional program are set annually based on a variety of factors including past participation rates and area population.
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