PITTSFIELD, Mass. — In observance of Earth Day on Saturday, April 22, 2023, the Berkshire Athenaeum, Pittsfield's Public Library, is collaborating with Goodwill Industries of the Berkshires and Southern Vermont by hosting a computer recycling collection starting Tuesday, April 18, and continuing through Monday, April 24.

 

The event is made possible through a partnership with the Dell-Reconnect residential recycling program. Accepted items include monitors, scanners, computer mice, printers, keyboards, laptop batteries, ink and toner cartridges, computers, hard drives, speakers, cords, and cables.

 

No television sets will be accepted.

 

Data provided by Maryam Kamangar, Goodwill's Vice President of Executive Affairs & Territory Expansion, shows that since July 2018 the Dell-Reconnect partnership with four Berkshire County Goodwill stores has recycled 113,280 pounds of computer equipment.

 

"The Berkshire Athenaeum is excited to partner with Goodwill on this collection for another year. Participating in this program is a great way to support our community and celebrate the mission of Earth Day," said Technical Services Supervisor Autumn Mawhinney.

 

Recycled items will be accepted during regular library hours in the designated bins. Those bringing in computers and hard drives for recycling are advised to remove all personal data. Neither Dell nor the Berkshire Athenaeum is liable for data removal or protection.

 

The Dell-Reconnect program was created in 2004. Trained staff in 44 states sort and process collected equipment to be picked up and recycled by Dell. Revenue from the program gives back to Dell-Reconnect to support Goodwill's employment placement and job training services.