eBay Launches PC Recycling Initiative

eBay launched a major initiative that brings together leading technology companies, government agencies, environmental groups and millions of eBay users to confront the problem of "e-waste" -- unused or obsolete computers that may pose environmental hazards when disposed of in landfills.

With Intel Corp. as its primary ally, eBay's Rethink Initiative coordinates efforts by industry leaders Apple, Gateway, HP, IBM and Ingram Micro with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, the non-profit Silicon Valley Toxics Coalition, UPS and the U.S. Postal Service, among other participants.

The centerpiece of the program is a Web site (www.ebay.com/rethink) that helps consumers and businesses learn about the different product disposition alternatives, such as recycling and refurbishing, and makes it easy to put this knowledge into action.

"eBay's millions of users can be a powerful force for good," said Meg Whitman, eBay president and CEO. "The Rethink Initiative will educate consumers on how to properly dispose of or recycle the millions of tons of e-waste they confront each year. We're extremely excited about the positive role eBay's user community will play in confronting this environmental dilemma."

At the Rethink site, individuals and businesses can take advantage of two core resources:

-- Education: Comprehensive information on the options available to consumers and small businesses to reuse or responsibly recycle computers.

-- Disposition tools: Easy access to a full range of responsible product disposition options -- including services provided by Rethink Initiative participants -- and a variety of eBay-related solutions including assisted selling on eBay with convenient local drop-off options, trade-in programs, donating to charity or recycling in their local area.

Computer industry, government, environmental and charitable organizations that meet the Rethink Initiative criteria for participation (available on the site) may join the Rethink Initiative at no cost. Member groups list their reuse and recycling solutions on the Rethink site, and can link back to Rethink from their own websites as well.

The Rethink Initiative helps individuals and businesses with idle computers by providing value guides that show how much an item might be worth, and therefore which disposal option might be right for them:

Working computers can be sold or donated via the Rethink Initiative site. Tools to aid selling on eBay include a safe data destruction utility, listing helpers that automatically identify system components, and information on how to purchase protective shipping kits. The Rethink Initiative also provides access to a directory of third-party sellers who can pick up one or more items and sell them on behalf of the items' owners. An additional directory helps businesses outsource the disposition process to a local asset recovery specialist.

For systems past their useful life, Rethink site visitors can find a list of responsible recyclers compiled by the Silicon Valley Toxics Coalition and their partners in the Computer TakeBack Campaign, a diverse coalition of non-profit environmental advocacy organizations. The site also links to additional recycling resources administered by Rethink's member organizations.