Recycle your iPod at Apple retailers

Apple introduced the iPod in October 2001. Since then, more than 15 million iPods have sold.

 Though they're great little devices -- also known as MP3 players for playing downloaded music -- they aren't going to last forever. iPods can endure only so many falls from the elliptical motion machine to the hard gym floor.

With that in mind (amid pressure from some environmental groups), Apple started a recycling program earlier this month.

Customers can bring any type of iPod, including the iPod Shuffle, to any of Apple's 100-plus retail stores in the United States for free environmentally friendly disposal.

Patrons who drop off an iPod, iPod mini or iPod photo will receive a 10 percent discount on the purchase of a new iPod that day. Shuffle players will be accepted for recycling for free but will not earn customers discounts.

Apple stores in the Seattle and Portland area are participating in the iPod recycling program:

Tukwila: Southcenter, 733 Southcenter Mall; 206-431-1521

Seattle: University Village, 2656 N.E. University Village St.; 206-524-8100

Bellevue Square: Bellevue Square, 106 Bellevue Square; 425-709-2555

Lynnwood: Alderwood Mall, 3000 184th St. S.W.; 425-670-3800

Tigard: Bridgeport Village, 7293 S.W. Bridgeport Road; 503-670-8400

Tigard: Washington Square, 9530 S.W. Washington Square Road; 503-603-9800
MP3 players and electronics from Apple as well as other manufacturers can be recycled through Apple online.