Dell customers looking to buy a computer in Sydney and Melbourne will from December be able to recycle their old PC for free under a new recycling service to be piloted by Dell.

The pilot is one of a number of initiatives by Dell to make today's PC models more environmentally friendly, said Joe Kremer, managing director, Dell Australia and New Zealand.

"First, we design our products with the environment in mind -- a focus on energy efficiency, eliminating or reducing the use of environmentally sensitive materials, designing products to use fewer materials, and improving recyclability," said Mr Kremer.

"Second, we're also continually looking for ways to make it easier and more affordable for people to dispose of their old computers too.  PCs contain materials like metal, glass and plastic which can and should be recycled and reused."