Apple’s Takeback Program

Details about Apple’s Takeback Program

How to get free recycling of old Apple products	Computers. If you have old unwanted Apple computers (desktops or notebooks) use Apple’s trade in system – run by a company called Power On – to ship back an old Apple product for reuse or recycling. If it has any reuse value, they will send you an Apple gift card for that value. You can use Apple’s online trade-in calculator to see if your product has value. You will need to fill in some basic information about the item to calculate the value. They will send you a box and free mailing label. If your old product has no trade in value, but it’s an Apple product, they will still take it back for free recycling, using this same trade-in system interface. Other Apple Products. You can also send back any other Apple branded product (monitors, printers, etc) for free recycling using the trade-in mail-back interface above (although you won’t get any trade in value for them.) iPods and iPhones. Apple takes back iPods and any model cell phone for free recycling. You can bring back old iPods to Apple stores for recycling, and for a 10% coupon toward purchasing a new one. You can also use their free mail back service to recycle old iPods and cell phones. Click here for info and to order a free mailing label. Items are sent to Power On Services, an asset recovery firm, in Roseville, CA.
How to recycle your old PC for free when you buy a new Apple system.	If your old computer is a PC, you can get free recycling if you are buying a new Apple system (or “certified refurbished” system) from Apple stores, Apple phone sales, or Apple’s website. When you purchase your Apple on-line, you should request free recycling for your old computer on the verification step of the order page. If you buy at an Apple store or on the phone, tell the sales person you want to do this. Apple will send you an email with instructions for how to pack and ship your old equipment to Apple’s recycling center. Keep this email – you will need it for the free shipping codes, which expire in 90 days. You will need to provide your own box and packing materials. You must place CPUs and monitors into two separate boxes. Weight limit per package is less than 70 lbs. Take the boxed equipment plus the email you got from Apple to FEDEX. The email has the codes you will need for free shipping. These codes are only GOOD FOR 90 DAYS, then they expire.
How to use Apple’s recycling system without a new purchase	PCs (not monitors) may qualify for trade in value, using Apple’s trade in system. (Enter your information to find out.) But if your old PC has no trade-in value, and you are not buying a new Apple computer, you can still use Apple’s recycling program to recycle your old PC but it costs $30 per box (up to 70 lbs), and you will need to box it up for shipping. You can purchase a prepaid shipping label for $30 by calling 877-712-2405. Apple contracts with WeRecycle! (an e-Steward recycler) for this service.
Free iPod and Cell phone recycling	Apple takes back iPods and any model cell phone for free recycling. You can bring back old iPods to Apple stores for recycling, and for a 10% coupon to purchasing a new one. You can also use their free mail back service to recycle old iPods and cell phones. Click here for info and to order a free mailing label. Items are sent to PowerON Services, an asset recovery firm, in Roseville, CA.
How do I know if Apple will handle my e-waste responsibly?	Apple’s recycler for non-Apple product recycling is WeRecycle!, a certified e-Steward. Certified e-Stewards are recyclers who have been audited by an accredited auditor, and found to be conforming to the rigorous e-Stewards standard. If you are using Apple’s trade-in system, this is a different vendor, called Power-On. Power-On is not an e-Steward (and they don’t disclose their recycling partner), so this trade-in program therefore does not benefit from independent auditing to high standards. However, Apple has a very strong policy regarding responsible recycling of e-waste, stating that all e-waste collected in their programs is handled in the same region in which it is collected (and therefore not exported to developing countries). They prohibit use of prison labor for recycling, as well as incineration and landfilling of e-waste.
What does Apple take back?	One computer, one monitor, and peripheral computer equipment with each qualifying purchase transaction.
Who can use Apple’s free services	Individuals and small business. Not offered to institutions, corporations and “enterprise” customers. Not available in Hawaii or Alaska.
What about business customers?	For larger business and institutions, Apple offers other volume recycling options. Contact irecycle@apple.com.
Read the small print (Details you need to know)	Customers buying new Apple systems get free shipping of old PCs for recycling, but that only works for 90 days after you get your email from Apple. There are many on-line and in-store sales outlets called Authorized Resellers, but purchases through these resellers do NOT qualify for free recycling. Refurbished sales must be “Apple Certified Refurbished” to qualify. They don’t take back your stuff at the Apple retail stores except iPods. You MUST select the free recycling option at the time you are buying your system. You can’t add it later.
Link for more details	Apple’s recycling web page. Apple’s recycling program FAQs.