Backed by Intel, the initiative is intended to bring together leading technology companies, government agencies, environmental groups and millions of US eBay users. Apple, Gateway, HP, IBM and Ingram Micro have already signed up, together with the US Environmental Protection Agency, the non-profit Silicon Valley Toxics Coalition, UPS and the US Postal Service.
All participants are concerned over the recent growth in the numbers of obsolete computers, mobile phones and other electronic equipment. According to industry analyst Gartner, in the US alone, about 133,000 PCs per day are currently being retired and replaced by their original owners, while in the next three years over 400 million computers are expected to be replaced worldwide.
These systems may contain hazardous materials, such as plastic, lead, cadmium, chromium and mercury that need to be handled in an environmentally responsible manner. Yet Americans' understanding of recycling and reuse options is limited: only about 10% of unwanted PCs in the US are recycled, according to the Grass Roots Recycling Network.
Accordingly, the Rethink site seeks to educate, providing comprehensive information on the options available to consumers and small businesses to reuse or responsibly recycle computers.
It also provides easy access to a full range of responsible product disposition options – including services provided by Rethink Initiative participants – and a variety of eBay-related solutions including assisted selling on eBay with convenient local drop-off options, trade-in programs, donating to charity or recycling in their local area.
"EBay's millions of users can be a powerful force for good," said Meg Whitman, eBay's president and CEO. "The Rethink Initiative will educate consumers on how to properly dispose of or recycle the millions of tons of e-waste they confront each year. We're extremely excited about the positive role eBay's user community will play in confronting this environmental dilemma."