Mystery recycler dumps rare 1976 Apple 1

Recycling is good for the environment, and it always pays off.

In the specific case of an unidentified Silicon Valley resident, the payoff may be as high as $100,000, after a recycling center in Milpitas, CA, found itself in the possession of a $200,000 1976 Apple I computer.

The high-valued collectible item was part of the first batch assembled by Steve Jobs and Steve Wozniak, and was dropped off by a woman in her 60s, back in April, at a CleanBayArea recycling center. Only about a dozen units are known to exist, in working conditions.

The unit sat in a box, among a pile of other items, until recently, when the recycling firm inspected the boxes and found the hidden treasure.

CleanBayArea’s VP of Marketing Victor Gichun, commented that on a first glance, he almost didn’t believe that the unit was authentic, until his staff confirmed it. It’s not clear whether the unit is still in working conditions. Similar units that were working, have sold for as much as $300K.

CleanBayArea sold the unit for $200,000, and the policy regarding the sale of donated items, is to split the proceeds with the original donor. The identity of the buyer, most likely a collector, was not revealed.

The recycling center is still looking for the woman who donated the unit, with a check of $100,000. CleanBayArea’s VP said he has no information about the woman, but due to this event, he is likely to implement new policies in regard to taking contact information from customers.

To claim the check from the recycling center, the original owner of the unit will need to reach out directly, by showing up at the facility. Gichun is confident he will be able to identify the woman, in spite of a potential influx of customers donning grey wigs and sunglasses at CleanBayArea, this week.