Apple launches iPod recycling programme

Customers who return an iPod to one of the company's stores in the US will get 10 percent off the price of a new one. Apple pledged to dispose of all the iPods brought in for free. To be eligible for the offer, people must bring in a standard iPod, an iPod Mini or the photo version, and use the discount the same day.

The move should appease critics of Apple's environmental record, who protested outside its headquarters during an annual shareholder's meeting in April. Inside the meeting, a representative of an environmentally orientated mutual fund questioned Apple CEO Steve Jobs specifically about the Mac maker's recycling programme.

The company promised to process returned iPods in the United States and not to export the hazardous materials they contain, which include lead.

On Friday, Apple's share price fell due to a report from Web Appleinsider.com that the company is overstocked and has tens of thousands of iPod models. Some analysts have put the stockpile down in part to slowing demand for the devices.

In the past, however, the company has seen its profits and stock price soar due to the popularity of the iPod portable music player, which it introduced in 2001. The company sells more digital music players than anyone, with consumers buying more than 5 million of them over the course of January, February and March alone.

Critics have chided Apple because the iPod's battery is difficult and expensive to replace, giving consumers an incentive to throw them away and buy new ones. Apple recently agreed to extend service warranties and replace batteries for free in certain cases. The agreement is part of Apple's settlement of several class action suits related to iPod battery complaints.

Green Century Capital Management, the investment firm that raised questions at Apple's annual meeting, praised the new recycling programme.

"We're very happy to see Apple take this step," Andrew Shalit, a shareholder advocate at Green Century said in a statement. "As shareholders, we see it as a way to increase foot traffic in Apple Stores and increase iPod sales. As environmentalists, we know that it will reduce the amount of toxic waste in our landfills and help consumers understand that electronics manufacturers can and should take responsibility for e-waste."

However, the investment group is urging the company to do more to combat waste. Specifically, it said it will press Apple to expand its free recycling programme to cover computers and monitors and accomodate consumers who don't live near an Apple Store.

Environmental groups have been sounding the alarm for some time over the volume of waste generated by the electronics industry. The issue is starting appear on the US legislative agenda, with several states passing electronics recycling laws and federal lawmakers forming a committee to study the issue at a national level.