In addition to recycling your old computer, you can help the environment when you buy a new computer if you participate in Dell's Plant a Tree for Me Program.

Dell, in partnership with The Conservation Fund and Carbonfund.org, launched Plant a Tree for Me, a program that makes it easy and affordable for individuals, corporations or even entire communities to 'go zero' by measuring and then offsetting their carbon emissions associated with the electricity generated to power an extended portfolio of IT products—simply by planting trees. Additionally, participants can offset the estimated total one-year carbon impact of an average American citizen by donating $99 to the program.

Dell administers the collection of the donation and remits it to their partners, who use 100 percent of the donated funds to facilitate the planting of trees.

The company says it's committed to helping the environment in a variety of ways. Dell currently offers consumers no-charge recycling of any brand of used computer or printer with the purchase of a new Dell computer or printer. This service includes home pick-up of the used computer at no charge. They also provide consumers no-charge recycling of any Dell-branded product, regardless of whether a replacement product is purchased.

"We have a responsibility to our customers to recycle the products we make and sell," said Michael Dell, chairman of Dell. "Our direct relationships with consumers allow us to offer this easy and free service and we encourage others in our industry to do so as well."

For more information, check out the Dell Plant A Tree For Me site.