EBay Initiative Promotes Electronics Recycling

LAS VEGAS -- EBay brought together several technology industry heavyweights today in an initiative to promote recycling of old computers and other consumer electronics hardware. The move is also an attempt by the industry to preempt further electronic-waste legislation.

With Intel as its main ally, EBay's new Rethink Initiative seeks to bring together public and private organizations to promote recycling and reuse of old PCs and consumer electronics products, the online auctioneer said on Thursday.

"Together we are hoping to build awareness about alternative ways to dispose of computers and consumer electronics," EBay president and chief executive officer Meg Whitman said during a news conference announcing the initiative at the 2005 International Consumer Electronics Show here.

Apple Computer, Gateway, Hewlett-Packard, IBM, distributor Ingram Micro, United Parcel Service, and the United States Postal Service are part of the effort, as are the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the Silicon Valley Toxics Coalition, EBay said.

No Dell Involvement

PC giant Dell is notably absent from the list of participants. "We have been in contact with Dell; they have not said no, and over time we hope that they will join," Whitman said. "I invite the industry to join with us to help solve the problem of electronic waste."

The Rethink Web site offers information on recycling options for electronics as well as on using EBay to sell still-working hardware. While many PC makers offer recycling programs for old hardware, most consumers don't know what to do with old PCs, which are collecting dust in storage, Whitman said.

"We can not only help reduce e-waste but also offer economic incentives to consumers, making it easy and even profitable for consumers and businesses to find new uses for old products, while also encouraging responsible disposal of nonworking products," Whitman said.

Governmental Regulation Slowdown?

With the industry initiative, EBay also hopes to prevent further government regulation. The announcement comes days after the Electronic Waste Recycling Act of 2003 became active in California, requiring consumers to pay an Electronic Waste Recycling Fee for certain devices, including monitors and laptop computers.

"I am not against regulation, if as an industry we have tried to develop a market-based solution," Whitman said. "I would love to try as an industry to come together with market-based solutions so we won't have to face federal and state regulation."

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