Jun 5 2008
Dell today marked the one-year anniversary of its commitment to be the "greenest technology company on the planet" by reporting the company's largest single-year product recycling volume, becoming the first major computer manufacturer to offer Silver 80 PLUS-certified power supplies and demonstrating significant progress in its global zero-carbon initiative.
“Our customers and stakeholders are inspiring us to lead a new era of environmental responsibility,” said Tod Arbogast, director of sustainable business for Dell. “We are at a historic point in time when the combined efforts of companies, customers, employees and suppliers will make the critical changes to protect our shared Earth.”
2007 Product Recycling Results
Dell reported recovery of 102 million pounds of IT equipment from customers during 2007, a 20 percent increase over 2006. The company has continued to enhance options for consumer recycling. In addition to its industry leading free home pick-up program, Dell continues to expand its Reconnect alliance with Goodwill. Consumers can now take advantage of free and convenient recycling at 370 attended drop-off Reconnect locations in 24 U.S. markets.
The company also continues to lead the industry in setting responsible recycling standards, including minimization of landfill globally, no export of waste and regular third-party audits of materials disposition. Dell remains the only major computer manufacturer to offer free recycling for consumers worldwide.
“Together”
Dell today also announced that it is partnering with The Climate Group’s “Together” initiative, a consumer-engagement campaign that brings together companies, cities and non-profit organizations to help Americans reduce their impact on the planet. In addition to expanding its Energy Smart and “Plant a Tree for Me” programs in the coming months, Dell will work with The Climate Group to provide consumers additional tools and resources to manage and reduce energy consumption.
Customer Savings Through Energy Efficiency
Dell remains focused on helping customers meet their own efficiency goals by working to provide products with the most performance per watt. Since 2005, the company’s client desktop systems alone have helped customers save more than $2.5 billion and avoid approximately 24 million tons of CO2.
The company today became the first major computer manufacturer to offer desktop customers Silver 80 PLUS-certified power supplies. The 80 PLUS specification aligns to the power-supply requirements in the EPA’s Energy Star 4.0 standard for computers and requires the use of 80 percent or more efficient power supplies. 80 PLUS Silver supplies are up to 8 percent more efficient than what’s required to meet Energy Star 4.0 compliance and meet the July 2009 qualifications of the Climate Savers Computing Initiative more than a year ahead of schedule.
Last month, Dell announced the company’s laptops and desktops, already among the industry’s most energy-efficient, are being designed to consume up to 25 percent less energy by 2010 relative to systems offered today. Dell recently announced the introduction of a Vostro Energy-Smart 410 desktop computer that can save customers up to 47 percent in annual energy costs¹ without sacrificing power and performance1.
Dell committed in September to make company operations carbon neutral by the end of 2008 and is ahead of plan in meeting that goal. Operational efficiency improvements in company facilities are saving the company approximately $2 million in operating costs per year.
In April, Dell announced that its corporate headquarters campus is powered with 100 percent ‘green’ energy. Increasing use of green power is locking in Dell’s energy prices as cost for traditional energy is expected to continue to rise.
The company’s carbon intensity (CO2 emissions/revenue) is among the lowest of the Fortune 50 and less than half that of its closest competitor.
In September 2007, Dell announced “Plant a Forest for Me,” a program that enables organizations worldwide to share best practices and, as partners, facilitate the planting of trees in sustainably managed reforestation projects. Partners include AMD, ABN AMRO, Ask.com, CGI, Staples, Salesforce.com, Targus and WellPoint.
For more information on Dell’s commitment to become the “greenest” technology company on the planet, visit www.dell.com/earth. To join with the company and thousands of others in lending a voice and saving the planet, visit www.regeneration.org.