Frequently Asked Questions
How do I qualify for Apple free recycling?
Purchase any Apple computer and/or Apple monitor and receive free recycling of your old computer and old monitor from an Apple Retail Store, Apple Telesales, or the Apple Online Store.
Who qualifies for free recycling?
Free recycling is offered to consumers, Apple Online Store for Education individual purchasers, and small business customers. HTML capabilities are required to read the shipping authorization codes on the email sent by Apple. This offer is not valid for institutions, corporations, and enterprise customers. Apple offers a volume-recycling service for institutions, corporations, and enterprise customers through Apple Corporate Recycling. For more information, contact Apple Corporate Recycling at irecycle@apple.com.
What products are eligible for recycling?
Free recycling is available with qualifying purchases of new or Apple-certified refurbished computers and/or monitors. This offer is not valid with the purchase of used equipment. Apple will accept for recycling computers, monitors, and peripherals from any manufacturer, except products contaminated or suspected of being contaminated with chemicals, biological agents, or other substances that are not integral to the original new equipment or otherwise associated with normal office or household environments. Apple will not accept hazardous waste. Apple will not accept batteries that are not an integral part of the system being recycled; UPS systems; CRTs that have been removed from their cases; or CRTs that are cracked or broken.
Will I be charged the California Recycling Fee?
Yes, but only if you purchase a product that is subject to the California Recycling Fee. If you are a California end user and you purchase a product that includes a display measuring more than 4 inches diagonally, the State of California requires manufacturers such as Apple to collect a fee from you, so Apple will add that fee to your purchase price. This fee is entirely separate from Apple’s own recycling program, and Apple must collect the fee if you purchase products subject to this law, regardless of whether or not you choose to participate in Apple’s recycling program. There is no charge to participate in Apple’s recycling program.
How much can I recycle for free?
Qualified purchasers are eligible to recycle one computer, one monitor, and peripheral computer equipment with each qualifying purchase transaction.
What types of peripherals can be recycled?
Recyclable computer peripherals include cables, mice, keyboards, computer speakers, printers, scanners, floppy disk drives, optical media, and external hard drives.
When do I choose the option to recycle my computer and/or monitor?
You opt in to free recycling during the checkout process. At an Apple Retail Store, a Specialist will ask you if you’d like to recycle your old computer at checkout. At the Apple Online Store, you’ll be presented with an opt-in box that lets you choose the free recycling program on your order verification page.
Where do I get instructions on how to recycle?
Qualified purchasers will receive an email with two shipping authorization codes (FedEx Return Material Authorization numbers). One shipping authorization code can be used per package shipped from a FedEx location. The shipping authorization code entitles the purchaser to free shipping of the package to the Apple Recycling Center. Bring your email to the FedEx location when you ship your packages. See www.fedex.com for a location near you.
What are the two shipping authorization code numbers and bar codes for?
The shipping authorization code numbers are required to get your shipping labels from FedEx to send your packages to the Apple Recycling Center. FedEx will scan the bar codes into the FedEx return system.
Do the shipping authorization code numbers and bar codes expire?
Shipping authorization code numbers and bar codes must be used within 90 days of receipt.
What should I do if I never received my email, lost the email, or need a replacement email to recycle my old computer?
Use our self-service page at www.apple.com/my/recycling/computer/contact.html to request the email.
How do I package my old computer and monitor?
Package each recycled computer and monitor in boxes or cartons appropriate for ground transportation. Products must be packed to ensure that they will not shift or break. You must place computers and monitors in separate boxes that you provide. Securely seal each box. The weight limit per package is 70 pounds. For ground packaging guidelines, see www.fedex.com.
Where do I take my recycled computer or monitor?
Take the equipment, packaged for ground transportation, and a printed copy of your Apple Recycling email to a FedEx return system location. To find the nearest FedEx location, visit www.fedex.com/locatorreturns. Apple Recycling Program returns will be accepted only at select authorised return system locations.
I purchased my computer and monitor through the Apple Online Store, and I am a reseller or institution. May I recycle my old computer through this program?
Free recycling is not available at Apple Online Stores that serve resellers or institutions. Visit www.irecycle.com to inquire about Apple’s other recycling programs.
I live in Hawaii or Alaska. Can I participate in the free recycling program?
The free recycling program is available only within the 48 contiguous United States and the District of Columbia. Alaska and Hawaii residents are not eligible.
Can I recycle my old computer at an Apple Retail Store?
No. Apple Retail Stores do not accept old computers, monitors, or peripherals for recycling.
Can I take my packaged computer and monitor to a FedEx drop-off box?
No. You must take them to a FedEx location. To find the nearest authorised FedEx location, visit www.fedex.com/locatorreturns.
Can I have my packaged computer and monitor picked up by FedEx?
No. FedEx delivery drivers cannot scan the shipping authorization bar codes provided in the email. You must take your packages to a FedEx location. To find the nearest authorised FedEx location, visit www.fedex.com/locatorreturns.
Do I have to erase the data on my old computer?
Yes. Before shipping equipment for recycling, you should (a) back up or transfer any data on the hard drives and any other storage devices in the computer; (b) delete the data on the drives; and (c) remove any removable media, such as diskettes, CDs, or PC Cards. Apple has no responsibility for loss or confidentiality of customer data on recycled equipment.
I sent my old computer and monitor through the Apple Recycling Program, but now I want them back. Can Apple return them?
Once the hardware has been shipped, Apple cannot return it to you. Participation in this program constitutes a relinquishment of all rights to and in the hardware and other computer materials sent to Apple.
I received my email, but the shipping authorization code numbers and bar codes are missing. What should I do?
Your email program or computer does not recognisethe HTML format in which the codes were created. You can try opening the email on another computer, or we can send you a new email to a different address. To provide your contact information, visit www.apple.com/my/recycling/computer/contact.html.
I took my packaged equipment to a FedEx location. Why can’t they scan my codes into their system?
Apple Recycling Program returns are accepted only at select locations that use the FedEx return system. To find the nearest authorised FedEx location, visit www.fedex.com/locatorreturns.
Where do I send my recycled equipment?
You do not need an address. FedEx will scan your codes into their return system and generate your shipping labels. The address will be included.
I don’t live in the United States. Does Apple have international recycling programs I can participate in?
Apple offers or participates in recycling programs in Europe, Japan, and Asia Pacific and Australia.
