Hewlett-Packard Co. Inc. (HP), Palo Alto, Calif., is rewarding consumers for recycling unwanted computer equipment. Called the HP Planet Partners e-Coupon program, it gives consumers up to $50 toward the purchase of a new product at www.hpshopping.com when recycling computer hardware from any manufacturer through HP's recycling service. But there are a couple of drawbacks: the program, limited only to the U.S. ends April 30, and consumers will be charged for shipping and recycling based on the type of product being recycled.
Products will be shipped to HP's recycling facility, which features specially designed shredders to grind equipment into pieces the size of a quarter. A series of separators and magnets pull out the component metals and plastics for recycling and reclaim valuable parts which are reused in the manufacture of new products.