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December 06, 2000
Recycling Computes for IBM
by Mark Thomsen
Computer giant decides to expand recycling program to include individual customers and small
businesses.
SocialFunds.com --
Social investors will be interested to know that International Business Machines Corporation (IBM)
recently announced the creation of a new recycling service for individual and small business
customers. These customers will be able to recycle not only IBM's, but any manufacturer's personal
computers (PCs) through the IBM PC Recycling Service. Hardware that can be refurbished will be
donated to charities that desperately need computer equipment but cannot afford it.
 IBM recognizes the waste generation implications of the
continuing advent of new, faster computer systems every few months. "Advances in computer
technology have unfolded at a breathtaking pace," said Wayne Balta, IBM Director of Corporate
Environmental Affairs. "As customers have invested in new technology to better serve their needs,
there has been an increase in the amount of older IT equipment that is either obsolete or that they
no longer want."
IBM's service can recycle all major PC system components, including
monitors, printers, peripheral devices and, of course, the computer itself. The cost to the
customer is $29.99, which includes shipping. Customers box the parts to be recycled and ship it
via United Parcel Service (UPS) to Envirocycle, which is a designated recycling center.
After receiving a unit, the age and performance capability of the system is assessed first. If
the system can be refurbished, the necessary repairs and replacements are made and then the working
computer is donated to Gifts in Kind International (GIKI). GIKI is the world's leading charity for
product philanthropy and contributes to a network of over 50,000 nonprofit organizations in
neighborhood around the world.
When refurbishing is impossible or impractical, the system
parts are recycled in an environmentally responsible manner. This includes reusing as many of the
parts and materials as possible.
"IBM's services help facilitate the recycling of this
equipment. They also help ensure equipment that is still of value is made available to others who
can benefit from it," said Balta.
The taking back of used computer systems is not
something new for IBM. It has been processing end-of-lease returned products through IBM Global
Financing (IGF) and disposing of them in an environmentally responsible manner since 1985. To
date, more than 1.5 million units have been processed.
A program for recycling
customer-owned assets, regardless of manufacturer, is also available from IGF. IGF is the world's
largest information technology lessor, receiving nearly 12,000 end-of-lease machines weekly.
These efforts are producing significant results. In 1999, the IBM recycled more than 120
million pounds of equipment parts and machines, with less than four percent deemed non-recyclable.
IBM's recycling programs are worthy of imitation. By wielding its buying power, it
provides shipping and recycling services at much lower costs than individual consumers could
secure. This proactive stance toward responsible recycling has the added potential benefit of
giving community organizations greater access to computer technology. Social investors will not
find any bugs in that kind of corporate operating system.
©
SRI World Group, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
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