Apple Recycling Program Expands to Europe

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Apple is committed to helping keep the environment safe by recycling electronic devices. With recycling programs in North America deemed a success, the company has opened similar programs in Europe, through which users can get cash back for old and/or defective devices sent in.

Apple is known for releasing product updates every half year or so. This means that six months after you buy your newest iDevice, it’s likely to be obsolete. And with users upgrading their iPhone, iPod, iPad, MacBook and other device, every so often, Apple is finding ways to help you dispose of these guilt-free. Programs like Apple’s Reuse & Recycle program let customers turn their old, unwanted devices into credits that can be used toward the purchase of an upgrade. Even third parties have taken advantage of such a practice, by letting consumers sell their pre-owned devices at fair market value, such as Amazon and Gazelle.

In Europe, though, the program is a bit different. Apple’s partner Dataserv will actually pay in cold cash in exchange for your old, recycled device. In contrast, most other programs in the U.S., Asia Pacific, Africa, Australia and elsewhere will give you a gift certificate or credits.

European users can send back their used iDevices by keying in their details on Apple’s UK recycling site. Dataserv will then send a pre-paid shipping label, and will be the one to estimate the value of the device. The company will then deposit cash into the device-sender’s bank account once they get the gadget and estimate its value.

Apple products are accepted, including the iPhone, iPad, MacBooks, iMacs. Apple says even non-Apple products are eligible, which may include PC desktop computers, and the like. What’s certainly attractive with this model is that consumers get cash for their devices, which can be as good as selling it in the secondary market, instead of being limited to getting in-store credits. Time to take out those old iPods, iPads, MacBooks and iPhones gathering dust in your desk drawer?