Dell and ABVI-Goodwill Launch Free Computer Recycling Service For Residents of the Greater Rochester Area

ROCHESTER, N.Y.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--

Reconnect, a free drop-off program to recycle unwanted computers, was introduced today by Dell and the Association for the Blind and Visually Impaired (ABVI)-Goodwill of Greater Rochester, Inc.

    --  Reconnect offers consumers in the greater Rochester area and
        surrounding counties free recycling for any brand of computer
        equipment in any condition. Consumers can find a drop-off
        location at www.reconnectpartnership.com or
        www.abvi-goodwill.org.

    --  Program goals are to divert over 300,000 pounds of used
        computers and computer equipment from area landfills over the
        next year; and provide consumer education on the importance of
        environmentally-responsible computer disposal. Reconnect can
        also help create job opportunities for individuals who are
        blind or visually impaired or who have other barriers to
        employment or independence.

    --  ABVI-Goodwill will accept and sort the donated computer
        equipment and Dell's product recovery partner will recycle and
        remarket the recycled materials. All proceeds support
        programs, services and job opportunities at ABVI-Goodwill for
        people who are blind or visually impaired. Consumers are
        responsible for removing data from hard drives and other
        storage media before donating to Goodwill. ABVI-Goodwill staff
        will provide donors with a donation receipt at the time of
        donation.

    --  Reconnect was also launched recently in Western New York
        State.

    --  Other Reconnect programs currently exist in Austin, Texas (15
        counties in Central Texas), San Francisco (Marin, San
        Francisco and San Mateo counties), San Antonio (23 counties in
        Central and South Texas), Houston (15 counties), North
        Carolina (49 counties), San Diego County, Pittsburgh, Northern
        New Jersey, Northwest Ohio and throughout the state of
        Michigan.

    --  Dell provides consumers worldwide free computer recycling. In
        2007 the company collected 102 million pounds of IT equipment
        from customers, a 20 percent increase over 2006.

"As a longtime advocate for developing strong electronic waste recycling programs, I applaud ABVI-Goodwill on their local efforts to move us towards smarter recycling policies," said Congresswoman Louise M. Slaughter. "By providing our community with the opportunity to recycle responsibly, this program will help to protect our environment while creating much-needed new jobs for our blind and visually impaired citizens."

"ABVI-Goodwill is pleased to begin the operational phase of our partnership with Dell," said A. Gidget Hopf, Ed.D., president and chief executive officer of ABVI-Goodwill. "This exciting new program is a reflection of our commitment to what we call the triple bottom line - people, profit and planet. The program will create jobs, add revenue, and contribute significantly and positively to our environment."

"Dell wants to make computer recycling easy, convenient and free for any consumer, and Reconnect is an important program that helps make that possible," said Joe Strathmann, head of product recycling services for Dell. "This program is a win on all fronts, it benefits the environment, the community and consumers in the greater Rochester area."

About ABVI-Goodwill of Greater Rochester

ABVI-Goodwill of Greater Rochester, Inc., founded in 1911, has a mission to prepare and empower people who are blind or visually impaired to be self-sufficient and contribute to their families and communities. Through a variety of entrepreneurial business initiatives, including manufacturing, call center, food service and Goodwill retail operations, the agency is able to support this mission and provide programs, services, career training, and employment opportunities to people who are blind or visually impaired or have other barriers to employment or independence.

About Dell

Dell Inc. (NASDAQ: DELL) listens to customers and delivers innovative technology and services they trust and value. Uniquely enabled by its direct business model, Dell is a leading global systems and services company and No. 34 on the Fortune 500. For more information, visit www.dell.com, or to communicate directly with Dell via a variety of online channels, go to www.dell.com/conversations. To get Dell news direct, visit www.dell.com/RSS.

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Dell disclaims any proprietary interest in the marks and names of others.

Source: Dell Inc.

Released July 3, 2008