[Save] Fwd: FYI: Michael Dell responds to student organizing

[Manshi Low]

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>Date: Thu, 08 Apr 2004 13:41:37 -0400
>To: mslow at mit.edu
>From: Kara Reeve <kreeve at cleanwater.org>
>Subject: FYI: Michael Dell responds to student organizing
>Cc: jwadams at mit.edu
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>
>Hi,
>
>FYI:
>Dell is certainly responding to our campaign pressure, and Michael Dell 
>issued an open letter to college students earlier this week (attached).
>
>A campaign press release is pasted below--please circulate this info. to 
>those who may be interested.....
>
>-K
>
>
>
>
>FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
>
>April 6, 2004
>
>
>Michael Dell issues public reply to students take it back, make it clean, 
>recycle responsibly demand
>
>Dell and GRRN prepare April 26 national campus e-waste webcast teleconference
>
>Madison, WI Michael Dell, founder, Chairman and out-going CEO of Dell, 
>Inc. today responded to a full-page ad sponsored by GrassRoots Recycling 
>Network (GRRN, <http://www.grrn.org/>www.grrn.org) on behalf of over 150 
>college campus groups from all 50 states, stating his company s position 
>on the students demand to address the growing problem of e-waste discarded 
>computers and consumer electronics. The GRRN-organized student ad, 
>published in the December 18, 2003 Austin Chronicle called on Dell to lead 
>his industry by taking back all old equipment, phasing out the use of 
>hazardous materials, and supporting environmentally superior equipment 
>recycling systems.
>
>  The letter stated progress made by the company in each of the areas of 
> student concern, providing specific examples of policies implemented and 
> programs underway. Dell s emerging relationship with the environmental 
> community has offered his company the opportunity to make a positive 
> environmental impact in our global communities. The letter can be viewed 
> at 
> <http://www.dell.com/downloads/global/corporate/environ/Dell%20Open%20Letter.pdf>http://www.dell.com/downloads/global/corporate/environ/Dell%20Open%20Letter.pdf. 
>
>
>  We are encouraged by Michael Dell s statements, which indicate that his 
> company is taking action beyond what is visible to the general public, 
> said Clare Cragan, UW-Madison senior and lead GRRN intern on the Computer 
> TakeBack Campaign. We are impressed that the CEO of a Fortune 500 company 
> recognizes the importance of responding directly to public concerns. On 
> behalf of the thousands of students from all 50 states we have organized, 
> I say thank you for opening a dialog.
>
>  Moreover, and perhaps more significantly, Dell and GRRN have put in 
> motion plans for a national web-based video- and tele-conference for 
> Michael Dell to engage directly and personally with students from across 
> the country on their concerns and his company s plans. Scheduled for 
> April 26, 2004, this unprecedented event indicates the company s 
> willingness to be held publicly accountable and make progress toward 
> solutions rather than battle over the problem. Details on the event are 
> under development.
>
>  This is a watershed moment in the effort to promote corporate 
> accountability for waste and a clear indication that organized pressure 
> in the market can positively influence corporations and their management, 
> says David Wood, Executive Director of GRRN and organizing director of 
> the Computer TakeBack Campaign. Michael Dell deserves recognition for his 
> leadership in steering his company and it resources toward meaningful change.
>
>  Students involved with the Computer TakeBack Campaign have made 
> tremendous progress educating their communities about e-waste and the 
> producer responsibility solution, added Kara Reeve of Clean Water Fund in 
> New England.
>
>  Dell s open letter acknowledged the recent meeting he held with 
> co-coordinators of the Computer TakeBack Campaign, GRRN Executive 
> Director David Wood, Ted Smith of Silicon Valley Toxics Coalition, and 
> Robin Schneider of Texas Campaign for the Environment.
>
>  Since early 2002, Dell has been the target of organizing by the national 
> Computer TakeBack Campaign 
> (<http://www.computertakeback.com/>www.computertakeback.com). Dell was 
> selected not only for its significant market share but also because the 
> company s direct-to-consumer sales model uniquely positioned it, 
> campaigner leaders believed, to embrace producer responsibility and 
> transform that into a business strategy.
>
>  Michael Dell s recent statements about e-waste and his company s plans 
> indicate that our assessment was right, that for Dell the solution to 
> this growing environmental problem presents opportunities to grow market 
> share, diversify the bundle of services offered to consumers, and enhance 
> customer loyalty, continues GRRN s Wood. Market leaders Dell and HP will 
> likely enhance their relative positions by acting strategically on the 
> e-waste problem and creating competitive environmental pressures in the 
> marketplace.
>
>  The list of campus groups participating in the December open letter to 
> Dell can be found on the student campaign website, 
> <http://www.toxicdude.com/>www.toxicdude.com.
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
>
>Clean Water Action
>Computer TakeBack Campaign Organizer
>617.338.8131 phone
>617.338.6449 fax
>kreeve at cleanwater.org
>www.computertakeback.com
>www.dontbeDELLuded.com
>
>
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