For all 3 options listed below, be aware that each provider offers additional detailed information on their website about what is and is not accepted for recycling, along with instructions about how your equipment should be packaged and labelled. You should read that information (and check for any mistakes below) before making a decision about which option to choose, and what you are going to send. Current as of Feb 28th, 2005, the details I have provided here may change over time.
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IBM
Order via the web: IBM PC Recycle / Recycling Service
Order by phone: 1-800-SHOP-IBM
Part number: 06P7513 (you will need this for phone orders)
Price: $30 (for one box)
Maximum box size: 26" x 26" x 26"
Maximum weight per box: 69 pounds
Shipping handled by: UPS
Do they send you packaging? No
Do they arrange pick-up? No, you must take it to a UPS authorized drop-off location
Additional information:
1) Information about IBM's product recycling program is available here.
2) I called to confirm that they do indeed accept computer parts. In other words, as long as you adhere to the other guidelines on their website, a complete computer is not required. They will accept a box with only motherboards, power supplies, hard disks, etc.
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Hewlett-Packard / HP
Order via the web: Hardware recycling services
Order by phone: No option apparent
Part number: Couldn't find one
Price: $14 and up (cost determined by the type and quantity of equipment you are sending)
Maximum box size: 24" x 24" x 24"
Maximum weight per box: 150 pounds
Shipping handled by: They don't say
Do they send you packaging? No
Do they arrange pick-up? Yes
Additional information:
1) It does not appear that HP will accept computer parts (e.g. motherboards, hard disks, etc.) that are not part of an intact computer.
2) In a nutshell, HP's service appears to be aimed two types of people: a) Susy Q. Public who wants to conscientiously get rid of the intact, pastel-colored computer she's had in her bedroom for years, and b) business users who have HP and Compaq equipment in their server rooms that they'd like to get rid of in an environmentally responsible fashion.
3) Until the end of April 2005, HP appears to be offering some rebates on HP products purchased on the web, if you send back material through their recycling program. Details are available here.
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Dell
Order via the web: Dell Recycling
Order by phone: No option apparent
Part number: Depends on what you will be sending (see website for specific numbers)
Price: $15 (for one box)
Maximum box size: No size limit I could find
Maximum weight per box: 50 pounds (exception for monitors - up to 100 pounds)
Shipping handled by: DHL / Airborne Express (they merged)
Do they send you packaging? No
Do they arrange pick-up? Yes
Additional information:
1) At the time of this writing, they are having a sale on their recycling. (How do you have a sale on the costs for getting stuff back?) Prices are currently at $5.00 per box.
2) If you try to phone for more information ... good luck. The staff I reached (and I think I was bounced back and forth between half of all the staff that Dell employs) had no clue about their recycling service.
3) It does not appear, based on what little information I could extract from Dell employees and their website, that they will accept just computer parts. They will only accept complete computers (or peripherals). But no one - including Dell employees - may ever be completely sure of that.
=======================================
IBM
Order via the web: IBM PC Recycle / Recycling Service
Order by phone: 1-800-SHOP-IBM
Part number: 06P7513 (you will need this for phone orders)
Price: $30 (for one box)
Maximum box size: 26" x 26" x 26"
Maximum weight per box: 69 pounds
Shipping handled by: UPS
Do they send you packaging? No
Do they arrange pick-up? No, you must take it to a UPS authorized drop-off location
Additional information:
1) Information about IBM's product recycling program is available here.
2) I called to confirm that they do indeed accept computer parts. In other words, as long as you adhere to the other guidelines on their website, a complete computer is not required. They will accept a box with only motherboards, power supplies, hard disks, etc.
=======================================
Hewlett-Packard / HP
Order via the web: Hardware recycling services
Order by phone: No option apparent
Part number: Couldn't find one
Price: $14 and up (cost determined by the type and quantity of equipment you are sending)
Maximum box size: 24" x 24" x 24"
Maximum weight per box: 150 pounds
Shipping handled by: They don't say
Do they send you packaging? No
Do they arrange pick-up? Yes
Additional information:
1) It does not appear that HP will accept computer parts (e.g. motherboards, hard disks, etc.) that are not part of an intact computer.
2) In a nutshell, HP's service appears to be aimed two types of people: a) Susy Q. Public who wants to conscientiously get rid of the intact, pastel-colored computer she's had in her bedroom for years, and b) business users who have HP and Compaq equipment in their server rooms that they'd like to get rid of in an environmentally responsible fashion.
3) Until the end of April 2005, HP appears to be offering some rebates on HP products purchased on the web, if you send back material through their recycling program. Details are available here.
=======================================
Dell
Order via the web: Dell Recycling
Order by phone: No option apparent
Part number: Depends on what you will be sending (see website for specific numbers)
Price: $15 (for one box)
Maximum box size: No size limit I could find
Maximum weight per box: 50 pounds (exception for monitors - up to 100 pounds)
Shipping handled by: DHL / Airborne Express (they merged)
Do they send you packaging? No
Do they arrange pick-up? Yes
Additional information:
1) At the time of this writing, they are having a sale on their recycling. (How do you have a sale on the costs for getting stuff back?) Prices are currently at $5.00 per box.
2) If you try to phone for more information ... good luck. The staff I reached (and I think I was bounced back and forth between half of all the staff that Dell employs) had no clue about their recycling service.
3) It does not appear, based on what little information I could extract from Dell employees and their website, that they will accept just computer parts. They will only accept complete computers (or peripherals). But no one - including Dell employees - may ever be completely sure of that.