Producer Report Card

The Computer TakeBack Campaign has issued detailed Computer Report Card focused on the recycling and design elements of the national platform: "Take It Back, Make It Clean, Recycle Responsibly." Click here to read the most recent report.

Here is how Apple, Dell and HP compare on key issues:

	Apple	HP	Dell
Commitment to Producer TakeBack of U.S. Electronic Waste	No commitment in U.S. Complies with producer takeback systems in European & Asian countries.	Endorsed Computer TakeBack Campaign Principles on Producer Responsibility for U.S. Electronic Waste (May 2004). Complies with producer takeback systems in European & Asian countries.	Endorsed Computer TakeBack Campaign Principles on Producer Responsibility for U.S. Electronic Waste (May 2004). Complies with producer takeback systems in European & Asian countries.
Takeback Programs for U.S. Consumers	U.S. consumers must pay $30 to ship obsolete equipment to Apple, except for residents of Cupertino, CA where Apple is headquartered. Only takes back iPods at Apple stores. Apple refuses to release data on how much its recycling programs have collected or any goals for recycling.	HP and Office Depot conducted a 6-week free drop-off program nationwide that collected 5000 tons of e-Waste in 2004. More programs promised. No large-scale free takeback computer program yet in 2005. HP recycles ink catridges for free. HP has a goal of recycling 1 billion pounds of e-Waste by 2007.	For consumers that buy a Dell printer or computer, Dell will recycle a printer or computer of any brand for free. Dell recycles ink catridges for free. Dell has instituted free computer recycling drop-off programs in conjunction with Goodwill Industries, for instance in San Francisco and has the lowest cost on-line recycling program for non-customers. Dell has a recycling goal to increase their Fiscal Year 2006 collections by 50% over Fiscal Year 2005.
Legislative Activity in the U.S.	Opposed producer takeback legislation in Massachusetts and Maine. (The Maine law was signed into law on Earth Day 2004.)	Supported producer takeback legislation in Minnesota and Maine.	Supported producer takeback legislation in Minnesota in 2004. Did not support producer takeback legislation in Minnesota in 2005 or Maine legislation in 2004.
Product Design	The batteries in the popular iPod generally fail after about 18 months. Customers must remove all songs and data from their iPods and pay $105 to the battery replaced.	HP has initiated programs to increase the use of recycled materials in its products, including some inkjet cartridges, which are made with 58-78% recycled plastics. Has not pledged to remove all toxic brominated flame retardants.	Has pledged to remove all toxic brominated flame retardants. Dell's Jukebox comes with instructions on how to remove and dispose of the battery. Dell partners with Lexmark for printers. Lexmark printers are designed not to work with refillable ink cartridges.

Countdown to Contamination?
On Feb. 17 2009, the switch to digital TV signals could send millions of old TVs to landfills and dumps across the world. Join the campaign to urge television manufacturers to take back their old TVs for responsible recycling! Click here to take action. New Videos Highlight Toxins in Consumer Products, Unsustainable Design and Cell Phone Waste. The Story of Stuff is a 20-minute, fast-paced, fact-filled look at the underside of our wasteful production and consumption patterns. The Secret Life of Cell Phones documents the fate of the millions of phones discarded every year. Enjoy, and pass along!