The big computer makers are not the only ones who offer free and responsible end-of-life recycling of their PCs that have finally reached the end of their usefulness. TechSoup’s Refurbished Computer Initiative (RCI) does as well. Just like Dell and HP, we want make sure that our RCI computers are as environmentally responsible as possible at no extra cost to nonprofits and libraries.

I think it’s pretty well known that TechSoup supplies refurbished computers to nonprofits and libraries in the United States through our Refurbished Computer Initiative (RCI), which provides reliable, warrantied desktop and laptop computers. What is not so well-known is our free recycling program for our RCI PCs when folks are done with them.

Our RCI free end-of-life takeback program is really due to our great refurbishment partners, Redemtech and InterConnection. Both refurbishers offer free takeback in the same way.

How Does Takeback Work with TechSoup RCI Machines?

When your RCI PC is no longer useful to you, just have a look at the sticker on the machine and it will tell you what website to go to in order to request a takeback. Here’s how it works:

• Once on the takeback website, fill out a request form, or in the case of Interconnection send an email to takeback@interconnection.org with the tracking number of the RCI piece of equipment.
• Our refurbisher will verify that it’s an RCI computer and then send you a prepaid mailing label. You then put the PC in any box that it will fit in, pack some newspaper around it, seal it up, and then mail it in. That’s it.
• PCs will be then have their hard drives cleaned of all your data (even if you’ve already done that yourself), and then responsibly recycled to reclaim the metals, plastic, and glass that they’re made from.

Both of our refurbishers are certified by one of the two programs that the U.S. EPA encourages that everyone use. Redemtech is certified under e-Stewards. InterConnection is certified under the R2 (Responsible Recycling Practices) Program.

Both are independent third-party certification programs that ensure responsible recycling of used electronics. They require that best management practices are in place so that used electronics are processed according to environmental standards that minimize exposure to human health or the environment, ensure safe management of materials by downstream handlers, and require destruction of all data on used electronics.

It’s TechSoup’s long-time environmental position on IT to encourage extending the life IT equipment as long as possible through refurbishment, and then when devices have eventually outlived their usefulness for them to be responsibly recycled.