eBay, Intel: 'Rethink' PC Recycling

Online auction magnate eBay has launched a PC reuse and recycling initiative called "Rethink." eBay has partnered with industry leaders including Intel, Apple, Gateway, HP, IBM, and Ingram Micro as well as several environmental groups to kick start the program, which it hopes will reduce the growing problem of "e-waste" that occurs when users discard obsolete computers.

When e-waste is disposed of in landfills, it poses significant environmental risk as toxic components used in PC components degrade, releasing toxins such as lead, oxides, arsenic, mercury, and over 30 other toxins into the environment. Decades have passed were this trend has gone largely unnoticed as technology take-up continued to steadily increase.

The Rethink initiative aims to encourage millions of eBay users as well as private and public organizations to consider PC reuse and recycling to be part of the purchasing process when acquiring new equipment. Intel and eBay -- the program's chief sponsors -- will jointly promote Rethink and will actively coordinate their efforts to reach out and raise awareness of the growing problem of e-waste.

Aside from educating the public, the program will focus its efforts on providing disposition tools such as local drop-off locations at responsible recyclers and vendor-sponsored services. Organizations that meet Rethink's criteria for participation can join the program at no cost.

Donated PCs will be distributed to worthy causes by the National Cristina Foundation.

According to an estimate by industry analyst Gartner, approximately 133,000 PCs are disposed of per day in the US alone. But the Grass Roots Recycling Network reports that only 10 percent of obsolete PCs in the US are recycled.

"eBay's millions of users can be a powerful force for good," said Meg Whitman, eBay president and CEO. "The Rethink Initiative will educate consumers on how to properly dispose of or recycle the millions of tons of e-waste they confront each year. We're extremely excited about the positive role eBay's user community will play in confronting this environmental dilemma."

Many leading OEMs have already instituted their own recycling programs. In April 2003, BetaNews reported that Dell began its own program to ward off the ecological problems posed by e-waste. Dell's Recycling Nation Tour received in excess of 30 tons of obsolete equipment drop-offs in Columbus, Ohio alone, magnifying the scope of the e-waste problem.

The Rethink Web site is hosted by eBay. Member groups are permitted to link back on their own Web sites.