Apple today has expanded its Reuse and Recycling program to include non-Apple devices such as PCs and Android, BlackBerry and Windows Phone smartphones from HTC, Nokia, LG and others. According to MacRumors, this new trade-in program is available in the United States, the UK and several other European countries.
The smartphone trade-in program has gone live in the United States, United Kingdom, Italy and France in partnership with third-party device buyback and trade-in company Brightstar Corporation. Apple is also accepting various PC models by certain manufacturers as part of its expanded Reuse and Recycling Program, which is also being handled by third-party vendor Dataserv.
Customers trading in these non-Apple devices will receive a Store gift card or a bank transfer credit for the value of the trade-in device. Trade-ins are accepted both online via a mail-in process and in Apple retail stores.
Our take on the news:
Apple has a strong commitment to the environment, so it is not surprising to see the company willingly accept competitors devices to ensure they are recycled properly. It may also attract new iPhone customers who want an easy way to get rid of their old phone and get a new one from Apple.
