Last August, Apple expanded its recycling program in the United States to allow customers to turn in their used iPhones and iPads for Apple gift cards.
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As noted by Macworld UK and Macerkopf.de [Google translation], Apple has once again expanded its recycling efforts by bringing a similar initiative to the UK, France, and Germany. But rather than offering payment in the form of an Apple gift card, the program in these countries offers users cash deposited into their bank accounts.
With the Reuse and Recycling Programme, you could turn your old equipment into a brand-new Mac, iPod, iPhone or iPad.
Whether it’s an iPhone, iPad, Mac or PC computer, working or not, we’ll take it and determine if it qualifies for reuse and has a monetary value. If it does, the amount will be credited directly into your bank account. If it doesn’t, you can recycle it responsibly through one of our free recycling programs.
The program, offered in conjunction with the German arm of electronics recycler Dataserv, builds upon Apple's existing programs for recycling Macs, PCs, batteries, iPods, and mobile phones.
Apple supports recycling efforts in a number of other countries through third-party organizations with details for each region of the globe available from Apple's main recycling program pages.
Top Rated Comments
(View all)Cost me £829 ... offering me £147 if I wanted to sell it.
iPhone 4 16GB black? Cost me £500 new almost a year ago to the day (warranty expires in 2 days) ... £177.
I'd rather rub my balls with sandpaper.
iPhone 3GS 32GB (white, working condition)
cash4phones: £111.11
Mazuma Mobile: £108.00
envirofone: £102.11
Apple: £52.00
Nice one, Apple.
iPhone 3GS 32GB (white, working condition)
cash4phones: £111.11
Mazuma Mobile: £108.00
envirofone: £102.11
Apple: £52.00
Nice one, Apple.
That's is amusingly poor on Apple's part.
My 20" Aluminium iMac from mid 2009?
Cost me £829 ... offering me £147 if I wanted to sell it.
iPhone 4 16GB black? Cost me £500 new almost a year ago to the day (warranty expires in 2 days) ... £177.
I'd rather rub my balls with sandpaper.
I nearly soiled my self with laughter at that comment.
iPhone 3GS 32GB (white, working condition)
cash4phones: £111.11
Mazuma Mobile: £108.00
envirofone: £102.11
Apple: £52.00
Nice one, Apple.
Really? Where did you get apple's pricing? this is a joke! Oh dear apple..
Most people that take advantage of apples program are not worrying about getting every penny they can but more interested in recycling an old device so it doesn't end up in a land fill.
Other companies that buy your old phone don't landfill them - they are recycled: This from Mazuma MobileMazuma Mobile aim to reuse over 95% of the mobile phones received in various developing markets where the cost of new mobile phones is sometimes unaffordable.
Where mobile phones are not reusable, we promise to recycle them in the most environmentally friendly way.
We are a Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE) Authorised Treatment Facility and are ISO 14001 Environmental Management System Accredited.
You also have to take into account the usual tricks played by these people. They will offer say £100 online and you send it in and then they offer a lower price based on some random reason, e.g. scratched, etc.
I've never used envirofone, but have recycled loads of old phones through mazuma and have never had so much as a single penny less than the offer made online and they pay cash into your bank within hours of receiving the phoneThe £52 offered by Apple is more realistic and probably what the others will offer in reality.
Edit: Reviews like these are typical of such recycle companies (this for envirofone):
http://www.reviewcentre.com/reviews98440.html
Whatever way you look at it, the apple option is not a good deal compared to the rest of the market
Bottom feeders. Its a scam.
Who cares? Ultimately you're recycling - if a company can make a profit on that and employ people because of it? Fair play to them.Recycled=Sold to third worlders at exorbitant prices no doubt.
Doesn't Apple at least donate the usable stuff to schools etc?