 |
 |
http://www.eschoolnews.com/news/top-news/index.cfm?i=58932
Tuesday, June 2, 2009
Apple
goes green, launches free recycling
|
Thu, May 28, 2009 |
Apple goes green,
launches free recycling
Company is offering schools free recycling of equipment
from any manufacturer, with data protection included, until July 31
Primary Topic Channel: Apple
Computer
K-12 schools and higher-education institutions can
recycle their used computers and peripherals from any manufacturer free of
charge, under a new limited-time offer from Apple Inc.
All accredited K-12 schools, colleges, and universities
with at least 25 pieces of recyclable equipment (limited to computers,
printers, and displays) are eligible to participate, and there is no purchase
required, Apple says.
In addition to the minimum 25 pieces, Apple also
accepts all brands of the following electronic equipment: computers, monitors,
laptops, printers, fax machines, scanners, desktop-size copy machines, CD
drives, hard drives, TVs, VCRs, projectors, overhead projectors, networking
equipment, cables, keyboards, and mice.
The program is available until July 31--meaning schools
must register by this date--and extends to PCs as well, not just Macintosh
devices.
According to the instructions, schools are responsible
for shrink-wrapping and placing all equipment on a pallet. The web site for Apple's free recycling program also lists places where
schools can find pallets and shrink wrap.
After all the items are prepared, Apple will come to
the school or college to pick up the unwanted materials.
Apple says it pays close attention to data security:
All recycled hard drives are ground into confetti-size pieces, customers
receive a certificate of destruction for each lot recycled through the program,
all asset tags and other identifying information are removed prior to
destruction, and all of the electronic waste collected through the program is
processed domestically in the United States.
Apple's offer comes at a good time for schools, which
often struggle to get rid of used equipment. With technology becoming more
prevalent in schools and concerns rising about the environment, recycling
unwanted devices can be a costly process.
"I applaud Apple for making this opportunity
available to [schools]," said Jim Hirsch, associate superintendent for
technology at the Plano Independent School District in Texas. "While many
districts already have recycling programs in place, this provides another
avenue for districts to use that perhaps haven't used recycling services
before."
He added, "Having this program available yearly or
on some regular basis would be helpful in planning for those districts that
will make use of this. I'm not aware of other programs similar to this
one."
Marc Liebman, superintendent of the Berryessa Union
School District in San Jose, Calif., said his district already has a recycling
program in place through a city-sponsored company, ASL Recycling/The
Greenetwork Inc.--but he believes Apple's program "does more to destroy
the hardware, which I am not sure is done by our vendor."
The only reason Liebman said he wouldn't take advantage
of Apple's limited-time offer is because his city's recycling program is
actually a fundraiser: The recycler pays his district by weight for what it
collects.
Bob Moore, executive director of IT services for the
Blue Valley Union School District in Kansas, said that for some districts,
making a profit might be more important in today's economy.
"While the restrictions seem reasonable, if a
district is going to go to all the trouble, why not just sell [its] old
equipment?" he asked. "We have found that there is a market for just
about everything, although it has gone a bit soft in the down economy."
Michelle Parks
Editorial Manager,
Institute for Instructional Research and Practice
Institute for At-Risk Infants, Children, Youth, and Their
Families
College of Education, University of South Florida
4202 E. Fowler Ave., FAO 199
Tampa, FL 33620
813.974.7806
Note: Florida has a very broad public records law. Most
written communications to or from state employees regarding state business are
public records available to the public and media upon request. Your
e-mail communications may therefore be subject to public disclosure.
