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View Full Version : Palm's Recycling Program... For Any Mobile Device


Janak Parekh
10-17-2007, 08:00 PM
<div class='os_post_top_link'><a href='http://www.palm.com/us/support/contact/environment/stewardship.html' target='_blank'>http://www.palm.com/us/support/cont...tewardship.html</a><br /><br /></div><i>"Palm's environmental stewardship program leads us to use environmentally friendly materials, reduce waste, and develop the highest standards in electronics recycling. Our recycling program strives to keep Palm Handhelds and Treo smartphones out of landfills- and we gladly take other companies' devices and all related accessories...Handhelds, phones and accessories will be sorted, graded, tested and ultimately slated for materials reclamation or reuse. The reuse of these devices generates revenues to fund this program as well as the Palm Foundation, a charitable organization that supports educational programs."</i><br /><br /><img src="http://www.pocketpcthoughts.com/images/web/2003/parekh-20071016-PalmRecycle.jpg" /><br /><br />Nice PR and environmental move by Palm. All you need to do is to pack the device in a box, affix the supplied postage-paid label, and bring the device to the post office. I've got some ancient devices that are presumably dead at this point, and I should probably recycle them. Do any of you use other recycling programs for your old PDAs/phones?

Ed@Brighthand
10-17-2007, 11:24 PM
It is a good program, but Palm ought to make it clearer that the free shipping label is only for people in the U.S.
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daS
10-18-2007, 05:52 PM
It is a good program, but Palm ought to make it clearer that the free shipping label is only for people in the U.S.
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I also didn't see any fine print about limitations on what they will accept for recycling. It's a big risk they are taking that people won't gather up all their old electronic equipment and dead AA cells and put them in a heavy box to be shipped to Palm for disposal. Most companies tend to have you call an operator to get a return label, but this of course would greatly reduce the effectiveness of their campaign, since many people wouldn't bother if it seemed to be too much trouble.

Instead, b providing the prepaid label online, they appear to be betting on people not acting in bad faith when Palm is being generous. I think that most people don't abuse such good will, but unfortunately there are always a few bad apples that spoil it for everyone else.

As an aside: Note that in California, it's now illegal to throw away dead batteries or anything that uses batteries or AC power. All such electronics must be recycled or disposed of as hazardous waste. I have a bag in the garage where we dump all the dead batteries waiting for disposal. Even though I use rechargeable batteries whenever possible, it's amazing how many single-use cells we go through in a year.

pmgibson
10-18-2007, 06:34 PM
ebay has a very nice recycling program.... :mrgreen:

daS
10-18-2007, 07:37 PM
ebay has a very nice recycling program.... :mrgreen:
:lol:
Unfortunately, I see a few sales of dead laptop batteries, but not a huge market for AA and AAA sizes. :roll: