Dell Reconnect

Computer recycling – it’s as easy as taking your computer and computer related equipment to the Lufkin, Diboll or Nacogdoches Goodwill Store.

Goodwill Industries and Dell have teamed up to collect and recycle computers through a program called “Reconnect Texas.” This is free computer recycling for any brand of computer. The program allows the reuse of good computers, and it’s environmentally responsible, according to Nancy Bledsoe, Executive Director of Goodwill of Central East Texas.

Just bring your old computer equipment to our Goodwill stores, and we will do the rest, Nancy said. Our Lufkin, Diboll and Nacogdoches stores are set up and ready to take the computers. We have staff members who are trained to sort and prepare the computers for Dell.  Goodwill will collect and sort the computers and then send them on to Dell.

The Lufkin Goodwill is located at 301 Hill Street, the Diboll store is located at 212 N. Temple, and the Nacogdoches store is at 503 E. Main.

The project not only has the potential to keep thousands of pounds of computer equipment out of our landfill, it can help put local individuals to work who have disabilities and might not otherwise be able to be employed, Nancy said. Goodwill puts people with disabilities to work, and this program could open up the need in our stores to hire more individuals to process the computers.

Recycling of the computer equipment is being managed by a Dell Environmental Partner. Residents are asked to remove all personal data and wipe the hard drive clean prior to donating the computer. There are a number of programs available online to assist with this, Dell officials said.

The first Reconnect project was launched in Austin in October 2004 with San Antonio and Houston following shortly thereafter.  Now, all 16 Goodwill’s in Texas have partnered with Dell.  Texas has become the fifth state to have a statewide Reconnect program.

The main goals of Reconnect Texas are to divert 11.5 million pounds of used computers and computer equipment from area landfills over the next year, educate the public about the importance of environmentally responsible computer disposal and supporting Goodwill’s job training and programs.

 We envision this program being both self-sustaining and supporting Goodwill’s mission with the proceeds, Dell officials said.

All totaled, the Reconnect project offers 995 drop-off locations for free computer recycling to consumers in several U.S. markets. According to Dell, the company leads the industry in providing consumers free and convenient computer recycling options. In 2007, the company collected 102 million pounds of IT equipment from consumers, a 20-percent increase over 2006.

The computer donation may be tax deductible. Ask a Goodwill employee for a receipt.