Apple Now Accepting All Products for Recycling at Retail Stores

apple_green_logosApple will now begin accepting old products for recycling at all of its retail stores worldwide, reports The Associated Press. While the company has had a recycling program for quite some time, the terms for trading in a product would vary by device category.

For instance, those looking to trade in a Mac or iPad for recycling were limited to filling out an online form and shipping it with a prepaid label, while those looking to drop off an iPhone or iPod could bring it into an Apple Retail Store or ship it to a recycling center.

Now, customers are welcome to bring in all products to any of its retail locations, where the company will recycle them for free. While all devices will be accepted for recycling at no charge, those who bring in products that are in fair condition will also receive a store gift card.

Apple made changes to its recycling program in 2011, expanding the program to include more devices and older computers. Last year, Apple also introduced an iPhone trade-in program that allowed customers to trade in a device for a gift card that could be used toward the purchase of a new iPhone, which has since expanded to multiple countries.

The move comes as Apple launched its "Better" environmental campaign yesterday ahead of Earth Day, which included a video detailing the environmental efforts of its Apple Campus 2 project. Apple will celebrate Earth Day at its retail locations around the world by giving its logos green leaves and having its employees wear special green shirts. The company will also reportedly hold an event at its main campus in Cupertino, California.

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Top Rated Comments

Mac Fly (film) Avatar
150 months ago
I'm a MacRumors forum member so I'm gonna find a reason to complain about this.
Score: 19 Votes (Like | Disagree)
till213 Avatar
150 months ago
Just to put this "great innovation" in context: in Switzerland every electronics store is obliged to take back any electronics devices - TVs, computers, microwaves, radios, ... - for recycling! No matter whether the device was actually bought in that store!

That service is already paid for when you buy the device - any electric or electronic device.

Want a reference? Here: http://www.erecycling.ch/faq-e-recycling#t25n115

Off course it is in german, but the first FAQ answer sais it all: "Überall dort wo diese Elektro- und Elektronikgeräte verkauft werden, können Sie diese auch zurückbringen." -> "You can return your devices at every store which sells electric and electronic devices".
Score: 5 Votes (Like | Disagree)
minhvn Avatar
150 months ago
... or you can just sell it on eBay or Craigslist.
Score: 5 Votes (Like | Disagree)
LostSoul80 Avatar
150 months ago
A $20 gift card for a computer that can be sold at over 20 times more? Call me in!!!
Score: 3 Votes (Like | Disagree)
vault Avatar
150 months ago
Just to put this "great innovation" in context: in Switzerland every electronics store is obliged to take back any electronics devices - TVs, computers, microwaves, radios, ... - for recycling! No matter whether the device was actually bought in that store!

That service is already paid for when you buy the device - any electric or electronic device.

Want a reference? Here: http://www.erecycling.ch/faq-e-recycling#t25n115

Off course it is in german, but the first FAQ answer sais it all: "Überall dort wo diese Elektro- und Elektronikgeräte verkauft werden, können Sie diese auch zurückbringen." -> "You can return your devices at every store which sells electric and electronic devices".

I'd rather "recycle" on my own than have recycling tax included in the price of every electronic prodyct I buy.
Score: 2 Votes (Like | Disagree)
JosephAW Avatar
150 months ago
I'll have to stop by to get my gift cards for my G5 tower, iMac bondi 333, Mac 8500, Mac II ci, Mac 128, all which are in good working condition.
BTW do they take Image & Laser Writer printers too?
Score: 2 Votes (Like | Disagree)