Today, Apple announced an upcoming recycling program for all Mac computers. So, in addition to running a reliable, simple and intelligent operating system, and in addition to being able to also run standard Windows PC applications on the latest, most beautiful hardware, Apple users will also be able to return their Mac computer for recycling at the end of its lifetime. Which means environmentally conscientious Apple users will also enjoy a little more peace of mind:

US customers who buy a new Mac® through the Apple Store® (www.apple.com) or Apple’s retail stores will receive free shipping and environmentally friendly disposal of their old computer as part of the Apple Recycling program. Equipment received by the program in the US is recycled domestically and no hazardous material is shipped overseas.

You may be aware that recycling is often not very cost efficient, so Apple is presenting a good model of corporate responsibility by effectively incorporating the cost of recycling into the retail price. This is really the only way to go for electronics (where improper disposal often results in copper, lead, zinc, cadmium and mercury contamination into the local ecology/water supply). And it makes life easier for consumers and municipal governments, who are often ill-equipped to handle consumer electronics recycling.

That said, it isn't just corporate responsibility that's guiding technology companies. There are also upcoming restrictions on sales of hazardous materials in California and the European Community:

Apple also announced that the fifth generation iPod®, iPod nano and iPod shuffle are 100 percent compliant with the upcoming restrictions of hazardous substances (RoHS) in California and Europe, which are recognized as the new global standard for environmental regulation. iPod’s RoHS compliance comes months ahead of the July 1 deadline set by the European Union, and most of the materials covered by the RoHS directive, including mercury, cadmium, chromium VI and brominated flame retardants, were voluntarily eliminated from all Apple products years ago.

So it looks like there is going to be some legal "encouragements" to make this sort of thing happen. This is a good thing; let's hope we see more of this in the coming months.

UPDATE: You may know that Netflix patented its business model (6,966,484; 7,024,381); in much the same way, Apple might be able to claim patent protection for this free send-back system. At first, patenting might seem like a bad idea, but Apple could always freely license the idea to other companies on the condition that they acknowledge Apple. That might earn Apple some clout in technology and environmental circles.