Policies and Performance
Acer is dedicated to protecting and improving the environment in every aspect of our operations. We are committed to providing our customers with sound avenues to responsibly manage Acer’s branded products that have reached the end of their useful life.
Individual Producer Responsibility
Acer supports the concept of Individual Producer Responsibility and is committed to bringing reasonably convenient methods of electronic product recycling to its customers. Acer believes that it is also the responsibility of governments to enable the development of collection networks and customers to discard their end-of-life products appropriately. This collaborative effort enables Acer to effectively manage the reuse and recycling of its electronic products.
Acer is also committed to working with governments during the development of recycling legislation. Acer supports legislation and performance expectations that are based on the reasonably convenient collaborative methods described above.
Standard for Electronics Distribution
Acer requires that its recycling programs are operated in a manner that ensures the proper management of end-of-life electronic equipment, components and materials. Acer only works with recycling vendors that obtain environmental management systems certifications as well as recycling standard certifications such as Responsible Recycling (R2) or E-Stewards. All of Acer’s first tier vendors are certified to the R2 Standard, E-Stewards Standard, or both. Finally, Acer expects each of its end-of-life management vendors and sub-vendors to adhere to Acer’s Standard for Electronics Disposition.
In 2011, Acer began a third-party auditing program to provide additional validation of responsible recycling certifications and conformance to Acer’s Standard for Electronics Disposition. The Acer program consists of third-party auditing programs managed by both Acer and Acer’s recycling program administrators.
Data Security
Acer strongly recommends that you conduct a complete data wipe of your hard drive prior to shipment or delivery of your device for recycling. Although Acer directs its recycling partners to wipe and/or destroy the data on devices received for recycling, Acer still recommends that you take precautions to make sure your personal data is erased beforehand. These precautions will also protect your personal data during shipment to the recyclers. Please understand that simply deleting a file does not erase your personal data from your hard drive. Data wiping software that uses more effective methods for data removal can be purchased at most computer retailers or downloaded, often free of charge, from tech-media websites. Information on data wiping and software examples can be found at http://pcsupport.about.com/od/toolsofthetrade/tp/free-data-destruction-software.htm. Please understand that Acer has not tested or qualified any of this software and therefore cannot attest to the effectiveness of any particular product or of the software generally. Acer assumes no responsibility for the loss or confidentiality of data received for recycling or from the use of data wiping software.