Dell, Goodwill team up to refurbish, recycle computers

Goodwill Industries of the Danville Area hopes a partnership with Dell Inc.’s recycling program can expand its computer rehabilitation efforts.

Mark Stegall, executive director of Danville’s Goodwill, said an event lauding the partnership will kick off today in Richmond. Business leaders, elected officials and Goodwill representatives will be on hand.

Stegall said he believes the program will allow Goodwill to provide more job opportunities in the community.

Stegall said the local Goodwill already has a computer refurbishing training program and the partnership should help its efforts.

“We hope so,” he said Wednesday. “We hope it will grow.”

People can donate computers that will be refurbished by trained Goodwill employees, Stegall said.

Pentium 3 and higher-level computers, as well as cables, computer components and other gear can be dropped off at the local Goodwill for refurbishing.

Computers that are older than a Pentium 3 or can’t be repaired will be recycled through Dell. Stegall said these components will be shipped to a recycling facility in Richmond from Goodwill locations across the state rather than winding up in a landfill.

“Goodwill is thinking green for our community,” he said.

Stegall said some computer parts are toxic and it’s better that these items get recycled.

Computers and parts don’t have to be Dell — any computer can be used for the program.

Stegall said the program is another way Goodwill can meet the needs of communities.

Dell said it sees the recycling program as a way to provide service to customers.

“We see it as part of our responsibility, part of the service we offer our customers,” Bryant Hilton, Dell spokesman, said Wednesday.

The joint recycling program got its start at a Goodwill in Austin, Texas, and it continues to grow. Virginia will be the third state Dell has partnered with for the recycling program.

“It worked very well and we’re expanding,” Hilton said.