Dell and HP in PC recycling offers

Consumers can turn in unwanted electronics gadgets for recycling this summer at more than 850 Office Depot stores throughout the US after a deal announced on Tuesday between the retailer and Hewlett Packard.

Between 18 July and 6 September, customers can drop off information technology and digital entertainment products from any manufacturer, including desktops, notebooks, keyboards, printers, scanners, handhelds, digital cameras, fax machines, desktop copiers, flat panel displays, monitors, TV/VCR combos and mobile phones, the companies said.

The goods will be recycled at HP's facilities in Roseville, California, and near Nashville, Tennessee. The firms did not disclose the financial arrangements for running the recycling effort.

Studies have shown that disposal of old electronic goods is actually a costly proposition for companies. For instance, recycling of an obsolete PC can cost $85 to $136. HP recently announced an ambitious e-waste recycling target of one billion pounds by 2008.

Separately, Dell announced that it will offer a free home pick-up and recycling service to purchasers of its Dimension desktop or Inspiron notebook lines.

Under the offer, available for a limited period, customers can pack their outdated computer systems in the box that the new system came in, and arrange for free home pick-up through courier firm DHL.

Dell has been offering free recycling for used printers since it launched printer products in March 2003.

It is not yet known whether these schemes will be available in the UK.