Dell, AMD Partner for ’Plant A Tree for Me’

Technology Industry’s First Computer Carbon-Neutral Initiative Reaches Milestone.

Round Rock, Texas,Dell today announced that Advanced Micro Devices (AMD) will become the first corporate partner of its “Plant a Tree for Me” program through a $16,000 donation on behalf of the company’s 16,000 worldwide employees.

“We applaud AMD for its extraordinary leadership and commitment to building on the enthusiasm of the program,” said Tod Arbogast, director of Dell Sustainable Business. “The company’s generous contribution is a clear example of industry’s ability to join together, take proactive steps and make a difference for the environment.”

Dell’s non-profit partners, The Conservation Fund and Carbonfund.org, also reported that initial customer interest and donations have made possible the planting of more than 20,000 trees that over their lifetime will help sequester 38 million pounds of carbon dioxide from the atmosphere.

“Addressing global climate change is one of the great challenges of the 21st century,” said Larry Vertal, senior strategist, AMD Green. “AMD is committed to reducing impacts through leadership in energy-efficient computing, sustainable manufacturing, and industry and government partnerships like this one with Dell’s innovative ‘Plant a Tree for Me’ program. We share Dell’s commitment to partnering with businesses and consumers to protect the global environment for future generations.”

When launched in January, the program enabled Dell customers to offset the carbon impact of their notebook computer use for $2 and desktop system use for $6. Last month, Dell expanded the program to include U.S.-based consumers and businesses with no product purchase required and for an extended portfolio of IT products. Dell also recently introduced ‘Plant a Tree for Me’ in the virtual world Second Life to help raise awareness of the importance of climate stewardship and provide a way for participants to link back to the program’s Web site.

“Through ‘Plant a Tree for Me,’ Dell is harnessing and consolidating the enthusiasm of businesses and consumers who want to be a part of a solution-oriented process,” said Eric Carlson, executive director of Carbonfund.org. “We are delighted to welcome AMD and its employees as partners in this process.”

In addition to climate stewardship, Dell makes continual improvements to its design, manufacturing and administrative facilities around the globe, and partners with a number of stakeholders to help set environmental policies. The company remains the only computer manufacturer to offer consumers free and convenient product recycling around the world, irrespective of product purchase. Earlier this week, the company joined with the Environmental Protection Agency and the National Recycling Coalition to host a free recycling event for consumers in Washington, D.C.

The company hosts two Web sites, Dell IdeaStorm (www.ideastorm.com) and StudioDell (www.studiodell.com) to provide customers the opportunity to share their own ideas and feedback. Dell also recently launched Dell Earth, a comprehensive online resource that provides in-depth information about the company’s environmental programs and policies.