Ohio Community Supports Dell Recycling National Tour

The second stop on a five-city Dell Recycling National Tour attracted hundreds of Columbus-area residents who dropped off 30 tons of unwanted technology equipment at the April 5 recycling event at Ohio State University, almost doubling the event collection goal for Columbus.

"We view Dell's recycling programs as a major step toward environmental sustainability that more companies need to take," said Dr. Ron Kolbash, chief of the Division of Recycling and Litter Prevention for Ohio's Department of Natural Resources. "Saving 30 tons of unwanted electronics from going to landfill by making it easy for people to recycle is a very positive thing."

The five-city Dell Recycling 2003 National Tour runs through April 27 and aims to collect 100 tons of unwanted computer and electronics equipment to be recycled or donated to local charities through Dell's donation partner the National Cristina Foundation.

According to Pat Nathan, Dell vice president of corporate social responsibility, "After only two tour stops, we have reached almost 75 percent of our tour collection goal. Thank you, Columbus."

"Columbus prides itself on being a progressive, green city, and events like Dell's recycling tour underscore our citizens' commitment," added Richard C. Pfeiffer, Jr., Columbus City Attorney and a volunteer at the Dell recycling event.

Non-profit and community partners for Saturday's recycling event included Ohio State University, Keep Columbus Beautiful, The ARC of Ohio and Eldon W. Ward YMCA. More than 40 community volunteers from 10 separate community organizations worked from dawn to dusk collecting technology equipment ranging from desktops and monitors to mainframe computers.

"Through its focus on recycling and reuse, Dell is helping provide much needed technology to organizations that serve the disadvantaged and needy," said Melinda Garverick, associate director of The Arc of Ohio, and a volunteer at Saturday's event, along with several of her constituents. "Giving new life to technology can certainly change the lives of a lot of people."

For consumers unable to take advantage of the recycling tour (www.dell.com/recyclingtour), Dell announced last month its convenient and affordable home pick-up recycling offer. Consumers are now able to register online for home pick-up of unwanted computers and select peripherals for only $15 per unit. Also announced last month, Dell customers buying a new Dell printer can recycle their old printer at no additional cost. These new recycling offers are in addition to existing reuse and recycling services Dell provides, including donation through the National Cristina Foundation. For more information about Dell Recycling, visit www.dell4me.com/recycling.

"Dell's recycling tour is a fine complement to the ongoing efforts of our organization," said Robert Seed, volunteer coordinator for Keep Columbus Beautiful. "We salute Dell's leadership in this increasingly important area."