Much too many peoples surprise, recycling of electronic products has been around since these, now, indispensible products have been in existence. For much of that time the recycling process was more oriented toward greed with the recovery of precious metals like gold and silver being the main goal. Oddly, electronics manufacturers have been right on top of the issue, if not wanting on getting the message out that they are on top of the issue.

Owing to its heavy concentration in laptop batteries, Dell computer has become a leader in recycling and promotion of the three ?R's?; Reduce, Reuse and Recycle. Most manufacturers are following the same process for reuse and recycling. This is an idea of what they are up to with credit for Dell being a leader.

There are several steps in the recycling of Dell laptop batteries, monitors, printer cartridges and alike. They include:

Getting the components to a recycling center for sorting

Marketing v. altruism

Determining what needs to be recycled v. reused

Extracting raw materials

Return programs

Mail back -The big deal in hardware recycling is a return label inside the new unit's box. This one is nice because the return label is right on top where you cannot miss it, and in its own bag. For my home printer, I simply put the old unit in the new box, slapped on the return label where indicated (their sorta fussy on this) taped it up (again as indicated) and called for a no charge FedEx pick up.

Return credits - For the most part, all concerned are taking their products back if a new item is purchased. Dell will actually pay you for your recycling effort even if you recycle at your local center. Just show proof of it. Dell in particular has a good reason for reuse programs as lithium cells are easily reused and they offer a model for every laptop or electronic device (or so it would appear.).

Marketing v. altruism

Non-profits, education, less fortunate ? Deciding what can be reused and what needs to be recycled is the leading ?in-process? step for recycling. Ideally, these companies would like to reuse product to lower costs and increase margins. We're not talking sainthood here for the manufacturers. However, there is a window of use opportunity where the manufacturer can take credit for giving a not-so-old unit to a non-profit. After all they will get it for recycling eventually.

Extracting raw materials ? This is where Dell and the others make the cash from recycling. It's not big money and it even costs to recycle on occasion. This step takes the entire unit and strips it right down to its most basic components. Lead for laptop batteries to silver and gold for connections. Copper is a so-so these days even though copper prices are very high because the connections are getting so small wires are becoming almost impossible to use.