Dell, Goodwill of San Diego Offer Free Computer Recycling Service

Goodwill Industries of San Diego County and Dell introduced Reconnect San Diego, a free drop-off program for recycling of unwanted computers.

The pilot program will help protect the environment through the responsible recycling of computer equipment, and provide area residents a convenient opportunity to support a local non-profit organization.

Reconnect San Diego takes advantage of the existing donation and retail infrastructure of Goodwill and the recycling experience and resources of Dell to offer a community-based solution to electronics disposal.

The goal of the pilot program is to divert at least two million pounds of used computers and computer equipment from landfills over one year and to provide consumer education on the importance of proper computer disposal -- while creating job opportunities for individuals with disabilities and other employment barriers.

San Diego residents can call toll-free, 1-888-4-GOODWILL or 1-866-48 REUSE (73873), or visit www.reconnectpartnership.com or www.sdgoodwill.org, to locate the most convenient drop-off location at any of the 24 local Goodwill donation centers and retail stores.

Goodwill will sort the donated computer equipment, which will be responsibly recycled through the Dell Asset Recovery Services value recovery program. Dell's authorized product recovery partner will remarket the recycled materials, such as plastics, glass and metals, and all sales proceeds will go to Goodwill to support the non-profit's job training and employment services programs.

Residents are responsible for removing data from hard drives and other storage media before donating to Goodwill, and state law requires that all donors sign a statement about the use of the computer equipment being donated. Goodwill staff will provide donors with a tax receipt at the time of donation.