New Zealand Holds Free Computer Recycling Day

Dell has announced that it has recovered 54 metric tons of used computer equipment during its first free community recycling event in New Zealand. According to Dell, the event brought in more than five times the material than its two previous events in Australia.

The event, held in conjunction with the Ministry for the Environment and CANZ, in Wellington, New Zealand, in early September, offered consumers the chance to drop off any brand of computer, monitor or accessory for free recycling.

Dell also announced that by the end of 2006 it will offer consumers free recycling of Dell-branded computers in New Zealand and free recycling of any brand with the purchase of a new Dell PC in Wellington, Christchurch and Auckland.

“We were extremely pleased by the positive response—Wellingtonians turned up in force (in 1,250 cars), and we had fantastic support from almost 40 volunteers from Dell, FE, CANZ, Remarkit, MRI, Dom. Post and others,” Derek Leitch, country manager, Dell, says.

Environment Minister David Benson-Pope says, “This is a wonderful achievement. It’s great not only to see a company recycling this equipment but also to see the public turning up in such huge numbers to this recycling day.”

He adds, “This just goes to show people are becoming more aware of their environment and how important it is to protect it.”