HP to recycle 3000 kilos of IT kit

HP claims to have taken receipt of over 3000 kilograms of end-of-life IT equipment in a single weekend during its recent e-waste drive.

The free computer recycling initiative was run by HP in partnership with retailer Dick Smith.

Two Dick Smith stores in the western Sydney suburbs of Parramatta and Penrith were used as drop-off points.

The initiative accepted products from any manufacturer.

"In just one weekend 3228 kilograms of end-of-life IT equipment were prevented from becoming landfill," HP said today.

"HP will now facilitate the recycling of the equipment collected, ensuring different materials - including plastics and metals - are recovered and then used in the production of a range of new products."

HP said it had now launched a program covering only HP-branded products, including printers, scanners, fax machines, personal computers, monitors, handheld devices, mice and keyboards.

Customers could drop them in to one of ten designated drop-off centres located in large cities around Australia, including Adelaide, Brisbane, Canberra, Central Coast, Gold Coast, Melbourne, Perth and Sydney.

The offer was available to consumers and small businesses, HP said.

HP's competitor Dell has long run its own recycling program.