Recycling an Apple product is as easy as it is good for the planet.

You may be done with your device, but chances are it still has more to give. We’ll help you recycle it for free.* So we can save precious materials and take less from the planet.

Return your device to be recycled in just a few simple steps.

1

Back up your device.

Don’t lose your data. Back up your Apple device so your content and settings stay with you, even after you return your device.

2

Erase the data from your device.

Before you return your device for recycling, remove your personal information. This data belongs to you and no-one else.

3

Ship your device.

Package your device and ship it with the label provided by our recycling partner.*

Who can qualify?

This program is offered to consumers, businesses and education institutions. To make a collection environmentally worthwhile, you must have at least one computer or monitor to recycle.

What products are eligible for recycling?

Apple will accept for recycling Apple devices and devices from Apple‑owned brands except products 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. Customers are eligible to recycle mobile devices, computers, monitors and peripheral equipment. A collection must include at least one computer or monitor. The maximum weight per collection is 25kg. For larger quantities, please contact TechCollect NZ to discuss. Accepting larger volumes is at the discretion of TechCollect NZ.

What products are not accepted through Apple’s Recycling Program?

Apple will not accept for recycling copiers; batteries that are not an integral part of the system being recycled; loose batteries or batteries that are corroded, leaking or otherwise damaged; UPS systems; CRTs that have been removed from their cases; or CRTs that are cracked or broken. Contaminated equipment of any kind — or any other hazardous or other type of waste prohibited or restricted by local, state or federal regulations — will not be accepted. Refer to the TechCollect NZ booking page for additional shipping and packaging requirements from New Zealand transporters.

What types of peripherals can be recycled?

Recyclable computer peripherals include cables, mice, keyboards, computer speakers, printers, scanners, floppy disk drives, optical media and external hard drives.

How do I arrange to recycle unwanted computer equipment or mobile devices?

To register your recycling request, fill out the online form. You will need to provide your estimated collection volume, collection location and contact details.

When will I be contacted?

You will be contacted by TechCollect NZ within 5 business days of registration to coordinate the collection.

How do I package the equipment?

When TechCollect NZ contacts you to discuss the best means of collection, it will advise you how to package your items. In some circumstances, you may be asked to provide your own packaging. 25kg per shipment and other Limits may also apply.

How does the collection work?

Apple and TechCollect seek to ensure that, where possible, the environmental cost of collection does not outweigh the benefits of recycling. As such, volume limits may apply.

Who pays for the pick-up and recycling?

Apple pays for products to be collected and recycled.

Who administers this service?

Apple has contracted TechCollect NZ to provide this service. TechCollect NZ contracts independent logistics and recycling services. Apple audits the practices of these recyclers to ensure they meet our standards.

Do I have to erase the data on my old computer?

Yes, before your equipment is returned for recycling, you should back up or transfer any data; delete data on the hard disk and any other storage devices in the products; and remove any removable media, such as disks, CDs or SD cards. Apple has no responsibility for the loss or confidentiality of customer data on recycled equipment.

I have sent products through the Apple Recycling Program, but now I want them back. Can Apple return them?

Once the hardware has been shipped or picked up, Apple and TechCollect NZ cannot return it to you. By participating in the program, you relinquish all rights to the hardware and other computer materials sent to TechCollect NZ.

How should I dispose of the batteries in my portable computer?

Your battery can ship inside the unit. Loose batteries are not accepted under this program.

How is the product recycled?

When you recycle with Apple, your used equipment is disassembled. Plastics, glass, cables and metals are separated so they can be further processed and refined, and ultimately reused in manufacturing processes. The hard drive is physically destroyed in the recycling process. Whole products are not refurbished, sold on or donated.

How long does the process take?

TechCollect NZ endeavours to pick up all products within one month of registration. However, we are mindful of the environmental cost of the transportation and logistics involved in this recycling effort. Where volumes are low, recycling pick-ups will be combined to coincide with nearby customers, which may result in longer collection times in some areas.

What areas will the program cover?

At this time, TechCollect NZ will only collect products from New Zealand cities and major regional centres. In remote locations, the environmental impact of vehicle emissions may outweigh the benefit of collection. In these instances, TechCollect NZ will keep your request on file and contact you to schedule a pick-up if other requests are received from your area that will make a pick-up environmentally worthwhile. In some instances, recycling volumes may not be large enough to justify a recycling collection, in which case no other service will be offered in lieu.

Program coverage

Apple will accept for recycling any Apple device, and devices from Apple‑owned brands, except products contaminated or suspected of being contaminated with chemicals, biological agents or other substances not integral to the original new equipment or otherwise associated with normal office or household environments. It will not accept hazardous waste; batteries that are not an integral part of the system being recycled; loose batteries or batteries that are corroded, leaking or otherwise damaged; UPS systems; CRTs that have been removed from their cases; or CRTs that are cracked or broken. It will also not accept any waste it is not legally permitted to collect or that the customer has a legal obligation to dispose of in a specified manner that would not be met by this program.

Recycling quantity and locations

Customers are eligible to recycle mobile devices, computers, monitors and peripheral equipment.

A collection must include at least one computer or monitor.

Service provision

Apple’s Recycling Program is operated by TechCollect NZ. For any queries, please contact the Apple Recycling support team by email at applerecyclingnz@techcollect.nz.

TechCollect NZ will endeavour to complete all scheduled recycling pick-ups within one month of registration from New Zealand cities and major regional centres, or as outlined in the FAQs. In remote locations, the environmental impact of vehicle emissions may outweigh the benefit of collection. In these instances, Apple’s recycling partner will keep your request on file and contact you to schedule a pick-up if other requests are received from your area that will make a pick-up environmentally worthwhile. In some instances, recycling volumes may not be large enough to justify a recycling collection, in which case no other service will be offered in lieu.

Apple has no responsibility for the loss or confidentiality of customer data on recycled equipment

Before providing equipment for recycling, the customer is responsible for backing up or transferring any data; deleting data on the hard disk and any other storage devices in the products; and removing any removable media, such as disks, CDs or SD cards.

By requesting recycling services from Apple, you agree to Apple providing your details to a third party to arrange for pick-up and recycling services.

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Once the hardware has been collected, it cannot be returned to the customer. Participation in this program constitutes a relinquishment of all rights to the hardware and other computer materials sent for recycling. Where the materials include waste not covered by this program, such waste remains the responsibility of the customer and may be returned to the customer.

Limitation of liability

Apple has arranged these third-party services as an accommodation and, to the extent permitted by law, accepts no liability to any person or institution for any services performed in connection with the recycling offered in these terms and specifically disclaims liability for lost profits, loss of business or other consequential, special, indirect or punitive damages (whether in contract, tort (including negligence) or otherwise), even if advised of the possibility of such damages. To the extent permitted by law, Apple‘s liability for failure to comply with a guarantee that applies under the New Zealand Consumer Guarantees Act to the supply of goods or services under these terms and conditions that are not of a kind ordinarily acquired for personal, domestic or household use or consumption is limited at Apple‘s sole discretion to: (i) in the case of services, resupply or the cost of resupply; and (ii) in the case of goods, resupply or repair or the cost of resupply or repair.

General

Apple is not responsible for printing errors. Apple reserves the right to change the terms and conditions, modify the offer or end the offer at any time without notice.

These terms and conditions are governed by the laws of New Zealand, and the customer irrevocably and unconditionally submits to the non-exclusive jurisdiction of the courts of New Zealand.

Apple and the Environment To ask less of the planet, we ask more of ourselves.