Apple: Green to Its Core

Have you ever tried to throw out a computer monitor? Oye! What a pain. The trash collectors won’t take ‘em. Monitors, it turns out, are not so nice to the environment and need to be disposed of properly. But, unless your town or city has an occasional day to drop your monitors, fluorescents and other household enviro-hazards off (for a fee,) or you can find some schlub, er, I mean scavenger to take it off your hands via craigslist, you are stuck with one more bulky item crowding your cellar, attic, or crawlspace. Well, here is a good excuse to spulrge and get yourself a new Mac!

Apple has announced a new free computer take-back program as part of their ongoing Apple Recycling program. Starting in June, U.S. customers who purchase a Mac via the online store or any U.S. Apple Store retail location will, in turn, get free shipping of their old computer and a guarantee of environmentally safe domestic disposal. If you have run your old computer into the ground like your pieced-together-with-duct-tape first car you drove as a teenager, this is certainly a simple and mind-settling solution to the question of, “What do I do with this old hunk-o-junk now?” Plus, it’s a great excuse to go Mac shopping… you know, for the environment.

Apple, also spilled the proverbial beans on being named a “Forward Green Leader” by the Sierra Club, giving it the distinction of being singled out as one of the top ten environmentally progressive companies. 

Apple has been thinking about where their discarded Apple cores have been chucked for some time. In 2001, they began a take back program in all their US retail locations of all used iPod, iPod mini or iPod photo, and threw in a 10% discount on any new iPod purchase made on the same day. 

Since October 2002, Apple has also offered a free drop off recycling program at their worldwide headquarters in Cupertino, Ca, in conjunction with the City of Cupertino. Unwanted computer systems and certain home electronics, Apple and otherwise, are safely discarded free of charge to local residents.

Outside the US, varying programs are offered in Japan, Taiwan and Europe for both businesses and consumers. Many in Europe are free of charge as well. 

Apple is also a member of rethink a consortium of e-commerce companies working to find the best ways to dispose of e-waste. You know, the growing pile of computers, cellphones and wireless technologies we are continually upgrading from. Considering Earth Day has just passed (on April 22nd) maybe now is a good time to make sure what you use can still be useful, rather than wasteful.

Plus, just picking a Mac over other unnamed computing solutions should make you feel good. Since 2001, all Apple computers and display units have earned an Energy Star rating for their optimization of energy efficiency.
Now, if I could just convince Apple to take the pile-o-Macs my father has dating back to the Apple 2e days and give me a shiny new Mac BookPro in exchange… then I will be dually impressed.