Dell Technologies' Giant QR Code Highlights Growth in E-waste

Every year, 53.6 million tons of electronics become e-waste. That’s 16 pounds for every single person on the planet, every single year. It’s the fastest growing domestic waste stream and only 17.4% of it is being recycled globally. Dell Technologies is committed to protecting the environment and accelerating the circular economy through recycling e-waste.

To raise awareness of this critical need at SXSW – and to encourage and make it easier for more people to recycle their old technology –  Dell and VML created the first large-scale 3D QR code installation made from e-waste. When people scan the giant QR code, it will take them to Dell.com/Recycle where they can learn how to recycle their old technology and download a pre-paid shipping label to mail it back. 

The installation was installed at the corner of San Jacinto and 3rd Street (207 San Jacinto Blvd, Austin), a few blocks away from Dell’s SXSW event venue at the Riley Building from March 8-10th. Beyond SXSW, Dell will be running 'recycled' radio spots supporting the initiative, created from previous radio ads.

Dell provides convenient trade-in and recycling solutions that help reuse precious materials to make new Dell products. Anyone with old technology, regardless of brand and condition, can send in their devices to be responsibly recycled.

Niraj Zaveri and Justin Ebert, ECDs, VML New York, “All that old technology you’re not using doesn’t mean it can’t still be useful. When you e-cycle your old stuff, Dell can use the parts to turn it into new, better things. The QR code installation meant to make that easier for everyone. This first-of-its-kind piece is debuting at SXSW before Global Recycling Day on March 18th.”