Dell Computer is on pace to exceed its goal of recycling 275 million pounds of computer equipment by 2009. The company, which offers free recycling for any of its products, recovered 78 million pounds in 2006, up 93 percent from the previous year.

Dell has been leading the way for computer companies in recycling, and has several programs to keep used computers productive. The company has joined with the National Cristina Foundation (NCF) to facilitate the donation of working computers to non-profits.

Dell is setting a good example, but there may come a day when recycling and taking responsibility for electronics and other products becomes mandatory. The other party of the story is reducing the amount of hazardous metals and emissions in creating computing products, which companies are just now beginning to address.