Equico, which has the Ministry of Education contract for the laptops for teachers scheme, launched its collection system in Dunedin yesterday.
It collected about 50 computers from Otago Boys High School and plans to offer the same service to schools in Auckland, Wellington and Christchurch in coming weeks.
Equico general manager Ross Fodie said yesterday the old computers would have their data erased in New Zealand and would then be shipped to South Korea.
He expected 99% of the computers' components would be recycled including the screens, which contained mercury and lead, and the hard drives, which contained cadmium.
"Nothing harmful goes into landfill."
Mr Fodie said about 30% of New Zealand schools sent their old equipment straight to landfill.
He declined to say how much the trial would cost but considered it was not a "revenue generating" exercise.
"One of the things we've talked about for a number of years is sustainability so this initiative simply complements that sustainability message."
If the trial proved successful for the company and the schools, the collection could become a twice-yearly service
