Apple Computer Inc. launched a recycling program Friday for its popular iPod, encouraging owners to bring their digital music players to Apple retail stores for free, environmentally friendly disposal. The company has been under siege from environmentalists, who say the company hasn’t done enough to promote recycling of its products, which often end up in landfills in the United States and in developing countries.

People who bring their iPods to one of about 100 stores nationwide will also receive a 10 percent discount toward the purchase of a new iPod. The discount is only good the day people drop off their older iPod, iPod mini or iPod photo.

Apple has been pushed into this move, but does it hurt them? Not likely! They can sit back and offer to take the 10% off their artficially high prices for returned iPods, then look saintly all the way to the bank.

Not to mention which, can you see people lining up to get a measley 10% off the price of a new unit when they can probably sell them like hotcakes on eBay for 5 times that much? So, after a little thought, Apple’s ‘altruistic’ move shows itself as mere lip service to any environmental concerns.

Oh, by the way, subject to budgetary limits, I’m perfectly willing to offer people AN ENTIRE 11% (of the original retail price) for a couploe of iPods. Somehow, I don’t think I’ll have to worry about too many takers :)