Frequently Asked Questions

  • How do I qualify for Apple Free Recycling?

  • Purchase any Apple computer and/or Apple monitor and receive Free Recycling of your old computer and old monitor from an Apple Retail Store, through Apple Telesales or the Apple Online Store and receive free recycling of your old computer products.

  • Who qualifies for free Recycling?

  • Apple Free Recycling is offered to consumers, customers at the Apple Store for education individual purchasers, and small business customers. HTML capabilities are required to read the shipping authorization codes on the email. This offer is not valid for institutions, corporations, and enterprise customers. Apple offers a volume-recycling service for institutions, corporations, and enterprise customers through Apple Corporate Recycling. For more information, contact Apple Corporate Recycling at irecycle@apple.com

  • What products are eligible for recycling?

  • Free recycling is available with qualifying purchases of new or Apple certified refurbished computers and/or monitors. This offer is not valid with the purchase of used equipment. Apple will accept for recycling computers, monitors, and peripherals from any manufacturer, except products contaminated or suspected of being contaminated with chemicals, biological agents or other substances that are not integral to the original new equipment or otherwise associated with normal office or household environments. Apple will not accept hazardous waste. Apple will not accept batteries that are not an integral part of the system being recycled, UPS systems, CRTs that have been removed from their cases, or CRTs that are cracked or broken.

  • Do I still get charged the California Recycling Fee?

  • Yes, but only if you purchase a product that is subject to the California Recycling Fee, and not for any recycling in which you participate under this program. If you are a California end user and you purchase a product that includes a display measuring more than four inches diagonally, the State of California requires manufacturers such as Apple to collect a fee from you, so Apple will add that fee to your purchase price. This fee is entirely separate from Apple’s own recycling program, and Apple must collect this fee if you purchase products subject to this law, whether or not you choose to participate in Apple’s recycling program. There is no charge to participate in Apple’s recycling program.

  • How much can I recycle for free?

  • Qualified purchasers are eligible to recycle one computer, one monitor, and peripheral computer equipment with each qualifying purchase transaction. Purchasers should package CPUs and monitors in separate boxes.

  • What type of peripherals can be recycled?

  • Computer peripherals include: cables, mice, keyboards, computer speakers, printers, scanners, floppy drives, optical media, external hard drives.

  • How do I package my old computer and monitor?

  • Package each of your recycled computer and monitor in a box or carton appropriate for ground transportation. Must be packed to ensure product will not shift or break. You must place CPUs and monitors into two separate boxes. Securely seal each box. Weight limit per package is less than 70 lbs. For ground packaging guidelines, see www.fedex.com.

  • Where do I choose the option to recycle my computer and/or monitor?

  • Opt in to Free Recycling during the check out process. At an Apple Retail Store, the Mac Specialist will ask you if you’d like to recycle your old computer at check out. On the Apple Online Store, during the verification of the order page, an opt-in box will be available for you to choose the Free Recycling Program.

  • Where do I get the instructions on how to recycle?

  • Qualified purchasers will receive an email with two Shipping Authorization Codes — FedEx Return Material Authorization (RMA) numbers. One Shipping Authorization Code may be used per package from a FedEx location. The Shipping Authorization Code entitles the purchaser to free shipping of the package to the Apple Recycling Center. Bring your email to the FedEx location when you ship your packages. See www.fedex.com for a location near you.

  • What are the two Shipping Authorization Codes numbers and barcodes for on the email?

  • You will receive two Shipping Authorization Code numbers on the email. You must provide your own shipping boxes. Each of your old computer and monitor must be packed into a separate box that must weigh less than 70 lbs. These two Shipping Authorization Code numbers are required to get your shipping label from FedEx to send your package to Apple Recycling Center.

  • Do the email and the Shipping Authorization Code numbers and barcodes expire?

  • Shipping Authorization Code numbers and barcodes must be used within 90 days of receipt.

  • Where do I take my recycled computer or monitor?

  • Take the equipment, packaged for ground transportation, and a printed copy of your Apple Recycling email to a FedEx Return System Location. To find the nearest FedEx location, visit www.fedex.com.locatorreturns. Apple Recycling Program returns will only be accepted at select authorized Return System locations.

  • I purchased my computer and monitor through Apple Online Store and I am a reseller or institution, may I recycle my old computer through this program?

  • Free recycling is not available at Apple Online Stores that serve Resellers or Institutions. Visit www.irecycle.com to inquire about Apple’s other recycling programs.

  • I live in Hawaii or Alaska; can I participate in free recycling program?

  • The free recycling program only covers within the 48 contiguous United States or District of Columbia. Alaska and Hawaii are not eligible.

  • Can I recycle my old computer at an Apple Retail store?

  • No, Apple Retail Stores will not accept old computers, monitors, and peripherals for recycling.

  • Can I take my packaged recycled computer and monitor to a FedEx drop off box?

  • No, you must take it to a FedEx location. To find the nearest FedEx location, visit www.fedex.com/locatorreturns.

  • Can I have my packaged recycled computer and monitor picked up by FedEx?

  • No, FedEx delivery drivers cannot scan the shipping authorization barcodes provided in the email. You must take it to a FedEx location. To find the nearest location, visit www.fedex.com/locatorreturns

  • Do I have to clean off my data on my old computer?

  • Yes, before shipping equipment for recycling, you should (a) delete data on the hard-disk drives and any other storage devices in the products; (b) back up or transfer any data prior to deletion; and (c) remove any removable media, such as diskettes, CDs, or PC Cards. Apple has no responsibility for loss or confidentiality of customer data on recycled equipment.

  • I sent my old computer and monitor through the Apple Free Recycling Program, but now I need/want it back?

  • Once the hardware has been shipped, Apple cannot return it to you. Participation in this program constitutes a relinquishment of all rights to and in the hardware and other computer materials sent to Apple.

  • I received my email, but why are the shipping authorization code numbers and barcodes missing?

  • Your email program or computer does not recognize the HTML format in which the codes were created. You can try opening it on another computer or we can send you a new email to a different address. To provide your information, visit www.apple.com/environment/recycling/program/contact.html.

  • I took my packaged equipment to a FedEx location, but why can’t they scan my codes into their system?

  • Apple Recycling Program returns are only accepted at select locations that use the FedEx Return System. To find the nearest authorized FedEx location, visit www.fedex.com/locatorreturns.

  • Where do I send my recycled equipment?

  • You will not need an address. FedEx will scan your codes into their return system and generate your shipping labels. The address will be included.