Dell A/NZ managing director, Joe Kremer, said that by offering the free recycling service, the company hoped to set an example.

"Industry, retailers, government and consumers all have a role to play in reducing e-waste and we have actively supported the move towards a national recycling scheme led by the Australian Information Industry Association," Kremer said.

"We are also continually looking for ways to make it easier and more affordable for people to dispose of their old computers ... PCs contain materials like metal, glass and plastic which can and should be recycled and reused."

Earlier this month Dell held a "recycle day" at a Sydney public school and with the aid of 30 company volunteers, collected 9.6 tons of unwanted computer equipment including 312 obsolete CRT monitors.

Spokesperson for Dell, Paul McKeon said there was no cut-off date set for the free trial. He said that rolling it out to other areas was a possibility.