8.16.2006 - 10:31am ET

(CSRwire) PITTSBURGH--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Aug. 16, 2006--Goodwill Industries of Pittsburgh and Dell (NASDAQ:DELL) today introduced Reconnect Pittsburgh, a free drop-off program for recycling of unwanted computers by area residents.

The program helps protect the environment through the responsible recycling or reuse of computer equipment, and provides residents a convenient opportunity to support a local charity.

Reconnect Pittsburgh takes advantage of the existing donation and retail infrastructure of Goodwill and the recycling experience and resources of Dell to offer a proactive, community-based solution to environmentally responsible electronics disposal.

The goal of the program is to divert more than two million pounds of used computers and computer equipment from landfills over one year and to provide consumer education on the importance of proper computer disposal, while creating job opportunities for individuals with disabilities and other employment barriers throughout the Pittsburgh region.

"I want to thank Dell and Goodwill for initiating this new partnership," said Governor Ed Rendell. "This effort not only provides Pennsylvanians with more options to their electronics disposal problems, but also provides employment opportunities for people seeking to enter the work force. It is a win-win for Pennsylvania. I am proud to support this initiative, and I have every confidence it will be successful."

Goodwill will accept donated computer equipment from residents at each of its retail stores and donation centers in the Pittsburgh area. Goodwill will consolidate and sort equipment for shipment to a Dell product recovery partner for reuse or recycling. Equipment that meets minimum standards will be refurbished and resold and all proceeds will support its non-profit job training and community programs. Equipment that cannot be refurbished will be responsibly recycled.

Residents will be responsible for removing data from hard drives and other storage media before donating to Goodwill.

"We are thrilled to join Dell in the Reconnect project. This is an exciting and logical next step for Goodwill's electronic recycling initiatives. Many know Goodwill for having over 100 years of experience in recycling clothing and housewares. However, few know that Pittsburgh Goodwill has been recycling computers for ten years," said Goodwill Industries of Pittsburgh's President and Chief Executive Officer Michael J. Smith. "Like Dell, we look forward to soaring to the next level of responsible e-recycling."

This program is part of Dell's efforts to provide consumers convenient, easy and free recycling. Dell recently announced a policy of recycling all Dell-branded products at no charge.

"Working with Pittsburgh's Goodwill highlights Dell's commitment to making computer recycling easy, convenient and free for consumers," said Shawn Dennis, vice president of global branding for Dell. "Reconnect makes computer recycling good for consumers, the environment and communities."

Other Goodwill-Dell programs are under way in Austin (15 counties in Central Texas), San Francisco (Marin, San Francisco and San Mateo counties), San Antonio (23 counties in Central and South Texas), San Diego County and throughout the state of Michigan.

Beginning today, area residents can visit www.reconnectpartnership.com to locate the most convenient drop-off location at any of the 33 local Goodwill donation stations and retail stores.

About Goodwill

Goodwill Industries of Pittsburgh and its affiliates employ over 900 persons, making it one of the largest and most diverse social and human service organizations in the region. The agency helps people improve their quality of life through work and related services. Operating since 1919, it is one of the largest Goodwill agencies in the country, serving all of southwestern Pa. and north central W. Va.

About Dell

Dell Inc. (NASDAQ:DELL) listens to customers and delivers innovative technology and services they trust and value. Uniquely enabled by its direct business model, Dell sells more systems globally than any computer company, placing it No. 25 on the Fortune 500.

Company revenue for the past four quarters was $56.7 billion. For more information, visit www.dell.com. To get Dell news direct, visit www.dell.com/RSS.

Dell is a trademark of Dell Inc.
Dell disclaims any proprietary interest in the marks and names of others.


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