Apple has just reiterated that it is committed to its green initiative and recycling. The company announced that every Apple retail store around the world will take back Apple products for recycling. Apple also has a gift card program for used iPhones, iPads and Macs deemed good enough to be resold (as determined by the PowerOn reseller service) in the U.S.

Products that couldn't be re-used didn't get the gift cards, but were instead responsibly recycled for free. Apple also took in computers from other brands under this scheme.

Now, in the latest update, Apple has covered all its products under the free recycling option and globally. Apple says that they have also set up recycling programs in cities and college campuses in 95 percent of the countries where Apple products are sold, diverting more than 421 million pounds of equipment from landfills since 1994. The company from Cupertino takes its environmental responsibility seriously, considering the fact that electronic devices are one of the largest contributors to landfills around the world. Until last year, Apple had sold half-a-billion iOS devices alone.

An Apple FAQ says about the process:

Equipment may qualify for reuse if it has monetary value and can be resold in the secondary electronics market. Equipment qualifies for recycling if it does not have monetary value; it will be dismantled so that materials such as metals, plastics, and glass can be collected for use in the manufacturing of new products, reducing the need to mine raw materials.

Apple has 420 retail stores in the U.S. and many more globally. Find out more about Apple's recycling program and how you can go about it when it is time to send your device to the graveyard.

Source: Engadget