Clients are sure to appreciate learning about a recycling program managed by Dell and Goodwill Industries that may allow them to easily get rid of dusty, old computers for free. Of course, you may be able to do the same.
I learned about the Dell Reconnect program at The SRI Conference this year at the Mohegan Sun Conference Center in Connecticut. Dell has long been a sponsor of the conference for financial advisors who provide sustainable or socially responsible investing to clients. Deborah Albers, Dell's principal social strategist, showed a short video on the program to attendees.
According to Dell, consumers are storing 3 billion old computers at home. The Dell Reconnect program not only accepts any brand of computer, but just about anything else that attaches to a computer, including monitors, printers, speakers, scanners, mice, keyboards, Xbox machines, Microsoft Zune systems and Microsoft-branded Webcams. The items can be broken or incomplete (minus wires and cables, for example).
In many cases, the equipment is in good enough condition to be cleaned, tested, refurbished and reused. Computer equipment falling into that category is sold at a Goodwill store. In fact, all proceeds from the program benefit Goodwill. You will get a receipt for tax purposes for your donation.
The Dell Reconnect program has diverted 600 million pounds of computer equipment from landfills and hopes to reach a goal of 1 billion by 2014, the company says.
Individuals can drop off old computers at 2,600 Goodwill locations. To find a drop-off point near you, click here.