By Claire Reilly

DHL Supply Chain has today announced that it has signed up Wesfarmers as a partner under the National Television and Computer Recycling Scheme – one of the largest retailers to partner with the logistics company.

As part of the agreement, DHL will now work with retailers including Kmart, Target and Officeworks to provide recycling services for end-of-life computers and televisions, as well as establishing a network of computer equipment collection points through Officeworks retailers nationally.

The service, which will be known as “Bring IT Back”, has already been established at 10 Officeworks shopfronts in the 5 mainland states, and will allow residential consumers and small businesses to drop off used products such as printers, laptops and monitors, free of charge.

“The Wesfarmers group will form an integral part of our collection strategy with the intent to have an initial 10 collection points at Officeworks available for computers and computer products, expanding over time,” said Terry Ryan, DHL Supply Chain CEO South Pacific. “DHL are pleased to be working with Wesfarmers and utilising retail stores for the convenience of consumers."

So far, the collection network includes Officeworks stores in Dee Why and Wetherill Park (NSW); Maroochydore and Windsor (QLD); Ballarat, Dandenong and Richmond (VIC); Trinity Gardens (SA); and Freemantle and Osborne Park (WA).

According to Cameron Schuster, sustainability manager for Wesfarmers Limited, the partnership with DHL will allow Wesfarmers to meet the goals set in its sustainability agenda to minimise waste.

“In June 2008, Officeworks became involved in Byteback, a computer take-back program to help Victorians dispose of unwanted computer equipment responsibly,” said Schuster. “The Officeworks Byteback locations in Victoria will now be transitioned into ‘Bring IT Back’ locations, in conjunction with DHL’s Drop Zones under the Scheme.

“Wesfarmers is excited about the implementation of our initial 10 Officeworks locations which will enable consumers to bring back up to 5 items of IT equipment per visit,” he said.