A lot has changed at Dell Technologies over the last 20 years, but one thing that’s remained constant is our unwavering commitment to responsible electronic recycling. This year marks the 20th anniversary of Dell Reconnect — a revolutionary partnership with Goodwill® that makes recycling electronics easy for customers across the United States.
A Vision for a Sustainable Future
Dell Reconnect launched in 2004, designed to tackle the rapidly growing issue of electronic waste, or e-waste. Countless electronics are discarded each year. Too often, these devices end up in landfills where they can leak hazardous materials into soil and water, posing environmental risks.
The partnership with Goodwill created a sustainable solution, offering consumers and small businesses a convenient, cost-free way to recycle their electronics. With Dell managing responsible recycling and Goodwill providing more than 2,000 drop-off locations across the U.S., Dell Reconnect is a great example of how organizations can partner to drive meaningful, collective impact at scale.
To date, the program has successfully recovered and recycled more than 635 million pounds of electronics—the equivalent weight of nearly 3,441 fully-loaded 747 airplanes—significantly reducing e-waste and conserving valuable resources.
Making Recycling Simple for Everyone
We recognize the success of any recycling initiative hinges on its simplicity, convenience and value for the recycler. Goodwill’s role in the program has been instrumental.
People simply gather their old computers and accessories, securely erase their data, find the nearest Goodwill location and drop off their items with ease. The program accepts all computer electronics and accessories of any brand, in any condition, completely free of charge. Plus, customers are eligible for a tax deduction for their donations, making it environmentally responsible and financially beneficial to recycle through Dell Reconnect.
Driving the Circular Economy
Dell Reconnect does more than prevent electronics from reaching landfills; it fuels the circular economy by reclaiming and repurposing valuable materials.
Recycled components are extracted and reintroduced into other industries to make new products, creating a loop that extends the life cycle of electronic materials, conserves resources and reduces the demand for raw materials. By participating in Dell Reconnect, customers play a direct role in supporting this circular economy and in protecting our planet’s finite resources.
Creating Community Impact Through Goodwill
In addition to its environmental benefits, Dell Reconnect supports Goodwill’s mission to provide job training and essential life skills to individuals facing employment challenges. Goodwill team members working in the program receive hands-on training in electronics recycling and refurbishment, which equips them with valuable, transferable skills that open doors to other industries.
By choosing Dell Reconnect, customers aren’t just helping the planet; they’re contributing to community empowerment and job creation.
Advancing Towards 2030 Sustainability Goals
As Dell Reconnect celebrates its 20-year milestone, we’re already looking ahead to the future. We’re committed to continually improving and expanding the program as part of our 2030 sustainability goals, which include a bold target: for every metric ton of product a customer buys, we will recycle or reuse an equivalent amount.
As Cris Villanueva, Global Takeback Sr. Director at Dell Technologies, shares, “Everything we collect through Dell Reconnect directly supports our mission to give back to the environment and help our customers meet their own sustainability goals.”
Dell’s ongoing commitment to innovation in recycling includes plans to accept a broader range of technologies and optimize processes to meet future needs. By making recycling even easier and more inclusive, we’re taking strides towards a sustainable future where electronics never become waste.
Celebrate America Recycles Day with Dell Reconnect
This year, as we mark 20 years of Dell Reconnect, we’re not just celebrating a milestone — we’re reaffirming our commitment to environmental stewardship and community empowerment. Together, we can reduce e-waste, support the circular economy and make a meaningful difference for our planet.
Find your nearest participating Goodwill location and be a part of this positive change on America Recycles Day and beyond. Let’s make every day a step toward a cleaner, more sustainable world.
