The company began its global recycling initiative in 1996, with efforts in the US, Canada, Japan and Europe, yet the campaign has not started in Australia.

Apple spokesperson John Marks said while it does not extend its PC recycling program to Australia, it is in talks with the Australian Information Industry Association (AIIA) to establish a program."Apple doesn't have a recycling program in Australia like we do in the U.S.; however, we are currently talking to the AIIA about creating a potential program," Marks said.

Meanwhile, HP said its New South Wales pilot recycling program with Domayne last weekend (July 8 and 9) collected 40 tons of IT equipment, part of a global 34 million kilograms since its programs began in 1987. The company is set to recycle globally nearly half a billion kilograms of IT equipment by the end of 2007 from its 40 countries, regions and territories of operation.

Dell, with partner Dell Financial Services, has provided PC recycling in 30 countries, and has operated in Australia since 2003. US Dell customers can use DellExchange, an online initiative where used equipment can be donated to charity, traded-in or auctioned.

Similarly, IBM has a Global Asset Recovery Service where its companies and consumers can recycle IT equipment to be donated to charity or resold as used technology.