Belfast’s Chris Martin has turned in excess of $4 million in donated computer equipment into completely reconditioned personal computer systems that provide access for approximately 3800 low-income Mainers for use in academic or career development goals - and in his mind he’s only just begun.
His non-profit group – The Information Technology Exchange (ITE) created the “PCs for MAINE Computer Access and Literacy Project” in 2002 (www.pcsformaine.org) which provides these systems, support and training statewide.
These resources are now available to Maine schools and non-profits. “Most of our program advocates are schools and other non-profit groups who have similar goals to our own. Helping them increase their social impact helps our cause as well,” says Chris.
Schools and non-profits can request tested non-reconditioned equipment for a recovery fee (the minimum cost required to glean reusable equipment) as low as $28 per computer, or can get fully reconditioned systems with XP Pro and Office 2003 licenses and a “restore” partition for $112. Internet filtering and desktop protection software is also available.
“Our beta for this new program is called the Computer Donation Network,” Chris relates. “This program makes our donated technology available to schools and non-profits through a web-based live inventory system. The only costs passed on to these groups are transportation costs to receive the donations and any labor/parts costs involved with reconditioning.”
Schools and non-profits can select equipment with PO’s from the school/non-profit shopping cart at www.computerdonationnetwork.org. The program goes from Beta to full release in October 2007.
Most recently ITE partnered with another non-profit group, Skills, Inc. in Waterville, to create a mechanism for attracting larger volumes of equipment donations to feed the huge demands for these programs. This new program by design recovers as much computer equipment as possible for reuse by providing some major cost-saving incentives. Aptly dubbed “eWaste Alternatives” (www.ewastealternatives.org), this initiative offers pickup service to businesses or schools who have surplus computer equipment. This equipment is fully documented, tested and functional
components are then processed by PCs for MAINE for reuse. Unsuitable equipment is properly recycled. “The biggest difference between us and outright recycling is that we reuse as much material as possible for our programs – which means we only ship about 20-50% of an average load to a recycler . Reusable items are “Fee Free” to donors, saving them a great deal of money – over 60% less than conventional methods in most cases.
“eWaste Alternatives is a management dream because generators (those with equipment surpluses) can have all their computer related surpluses collected on site, and only pay to recycle the portion that cannot be reused,” adds Chris.
The fees for this service are as follows:
State wide flat rate pickup fee - $88/trip – minimum pickup size 120 pieces;
Desktop computers, Laptops or servers – regardless of type or age – FEE FREE;
CRT monitors – non-functioning or manufactured prior to 2000 - $8/ea;
Desktop Peripherals such as inkjet printers, fax machines or older scanners - $4/ea;
Miscellaneous Materials - $.07/lb.
“Not only are donors saving money and time, but they provide the raw materials PCs for MAINE needs to help people right here in our state” Chris notes.
The program also provides two convenient drop-off locations for equipment donations - the PCs for MAINE tech center on Route 1 in E. Belfast and The Skills’ Recycling Center in the Waterville Industrial Park.
“I have been a reader of the ACTEM ListServe for over two years and can thank this BBS for some of the ideas that have led to development of these programs,” Chris notes.
Like ACTEM, ITE – the PCs MAINE project and Skills’, Inc. are 501(C) Non-Profits. PCs for MAINE has successfully partnered with both Adult Education departments throughout the state and the Maine Department of Labor’s vocational rehabilitation and career centers. Prerequisites for individual participants in the PCs for MAINE project are 1) low or average income and 2) the technology will be used for increasing job skills or education. If you are interested in more information about these initiatives call 207-338-4233 or email Chris Martin: cmartin@infotechexchange.org.
“I feel compelled to make these resources available to Maine schools—where the seeds for Maine’s future tech-savvy workforce are planted, Chris Martin says. “The quality of our programs is directly related to the quality of our partnerships. Propriety is about control; social program partnerships are about serving others”.
ACTEM applauds the e-recycling initiatives such as eWaste Alternatives, PCs for MAINE, Darrell Lee’s Computers for Schools and Libraries (Darrell.W.Lee@maine.gov), and Ruth's Reusable Resources (www.ruths.org).
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