6.21.2007 - 10:35am ET

(CSRwire) TRENTON, N.J.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--June 21, 2007--Reconnect, a free drop-off program to recycle unwanted computers, was introduced today by Dell (NASDAQ:DELL), Goodwill Industries of Greater New York and Northern New Jersey and Goodwill Industries of Southern New Jersey/Quaker City Goodwill.

Reconnect will serve consumers throughout New Jersey and Philadelphia. The program leverages Dell's resources and global recycling experience and the donation and retail infrastructure of Goodwill.

Reconnect helps protect the environment through the responsible recycling or reuse of computer equipment, and provides residents a convenient way to support a local non-profit organization.

The program's goal is two-fold: divert more than four million pounds of used computers and computer equipment from area landfills over the next year; and provide consumer education on the importance of environmentally responsible computer disposal. Reconnect also will help create job opportunities for individuals with disabilities and other employment barriers.

"Providing robust, convenient and safe recycling solutions for used electronics is critical to New Jersey's future and all of us share a responsibility in finding those solutions. Reconnect brings the combined experience of Dell and Goodwill together to provide free computer recycling to our state's citizens, and I'm proud to see New Jersey help lead the nation with this innovative approach," said Senator Bob Smith.

"I want to thank Dell and Goodwill for bringing this important initiative to the Garden State," said Assemblyman Reed Gusciora. "This effort will not only keep computers out of our landfills, it will also support Goodwill's job-training and employment services."

Beginning today, residents throughout New Jersey and Philadelphia can visit www.reconnectpartnership.com to locate the most convenient drop-off at any of the 23 participating Goodwill donation centers and retail stores.

Goodwill will accept and sort the donated computer equipment and Dell's product recovery partner will recycle and remarket the recycled materials, such as plastics, glass and metals. All proceeds support Goodwill's non-profit job-training and employment programs.

Residents will be responsible for removing data from hard drives and other storage media before donating to Goodwill. Goodwill staff will provide donors with a donation receipt at the time of donation.

"We are very excited to be partnering with Dell in an initiative that furthers Goodwill's mission and benefits our communities," said Rex L. Davidson, president and CEO of Goodwill Industries of Greater New York and Northern New Jersey. "Reconnect is a proactive solution to the very real issue of environmentally responsible electronics disposal."

"We are pleased to be aligned with such a good corporate citizen like Dell," said Mark B. Boyd, president and CEO of Goodwill Industries of Southern New Jersey/Quaker City Goodwill. "I believe this is a win-win for our citizens and the communities we serve. While cognizant of a growing challenge that e-waste presents, we are now able to successfully recycle these materials, employ and train individuals in this market and create a revenue stream to support the growing mission of serving larger and broader audiences."

"Dell is committed to environmental responsibility in all areas of its business. The 'Re-Generation,' people of all ages who care about the Earth, expect nothing less," said Shawn Dennis, vice president of global brand for Dell. "The Reconnect program is just one initiative that Dell has in place to continue its commitment to making computer recycling easy and affordable for all consumers."

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), North Carolina (49 counties), San Diego County, Pittsburgh and throughout the state of Michigan.

About Goodwill Industries of Greater New York and Northern New Jersey

Goodwill Industries of Greater New York and Northern New Jersey, Inc. is a 501(c) 3 not-for-profit corporation. Founded in 1915, the community-based human services organization is headquartered in Astoria, Queens and provides services for more than 110,000 persons with disabilities disadvantages and other barriers to employment.
Goodwill operates 80 programs at more than 30 sites in each of the five boroughs of New York City, Northern New Jersey and on Long Island. In addition, Goodwill's 32 retail stores stretch as far north as Albany.

About Goodwill Industries of Southern New Jersey/Quaker City Goodwill

Founded in 1948, Goodwill Industries of Southern New Jersey/Quaker City Goodwill (www.goodwillnj.org) is a nonprofit, community-based organization. Its mission is to provide education, job training and career services that prepare individuals with disabilities and other disadvantaging conditions, such as welfare dependency, illiteracy, and spousal abuse, for competitive community employment. Revenues from the mass collection and resale of donated items in Goodwill's 17 area retail stores fund its high caliber employment training programs.

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 is a leading global systems and services company and No. 34 on the Fortune 500. For more information, visit www.dell.com, or to communicate directly with Dell via a variety of online channels, go to www.dell.com/conversations. 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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