That’s the thing. I do. What disappoints me so much is that Dell did the right thing to begin with, and then decided to end it *instead* of adding to it.

You added a good recycling program with the free recycle with purchase. But you took away a great paid recycling program to do it. That’s how you took a step back.

You could have added the free program to the paid program and really had something to brag about. “We’re the *only* company who really cares about the environment. For just $10, we’ll take your old computer off your hands. No purchase necessary. Or, recycle your old computer equipment for free when you purchase a Dell. By recycling the computer equipment, we are preventing harmful metals from entering our drinking water. It’s one way Dell cares for the world we live in.”

You could have articles in Time magazine about a program like that.

I think that kind of spin would make other computer companies really look at what you’re doing and emulate it. It’d be an example of what a computer company should do: recycle all computers for the benefit of the world we live in.

First let me go over our consumer recycling offers. We offer free recycling to
consumers. Consumers who have old Dell branded equipment can recycle for
no-charge (“Dell free recycling”) and consumers who are purchasing new Dell
equipment can recycle any brand of old equipment for no charge (“free with
purchase” recycling).

According to the latest data I’ve seen, I believe only one other company in
our industry is offering “free with purchase” recycling, and I’m not aware
of any other company offering free recycling similar to our “Dell free recyling”
offer.

I think what you are concerned about is us ending our “paid” recycling offer
which we in fact did. Our feeling was that our first responsibility is to
offer recycling for products we make and sell and we encourage all in our
industry to offer the same. We continue ot offer recycling for other-branded
equipment but with purchase. I’m not clear on the logic of why you don’t have
the same strong feelings about other manufacturers who are not offering free
recycling?

Also, we continue to offer a no-cost donation program that is available anywhere
in the U.S. and accepts and brand of equipment. And we’re continuing to expand
our alliance with Goodwill. Where that program exists consumers can drop off
any brand of computer equipment for no charge responsible recycling. And we are
working with Goodwill to make this a national program.

I’m not clear on the logic of the comment about Dell only being interested
in the bottom line — all of these programs cost Dell money.

I’d be happy to share more information about our efforts if you’d like but did
want to weigh in as I disagree with the idea Dell is taking a step back when
in fact we dramatically enhanced our recycling program and are doing far more
than others in the industry.