talks! Creating a Successful Computer Refurbishing Program March 4, 2010 Audio is only available by calling this number: Conference Call: ; Access Code: Sponsored by

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talks! Creating a Successful Computer Refurbishing Program Sponsored by Presenters: Pat Furr, Computers for Classrooms (CFC) Bruce Buckelew, Oakland Technology Exchange West (OTX West)

Creating a Successful Computer Refurbishing Program Conference Call: Access Code: Today’s Speakers Bruce Buckelew Oakland Technology Exchange West (OTX West) Facilitating: Kami Griffiths, TechSoup Assisting with chat questions: Becky Wiegand & Jim Lynch, TechSoup Pat Furr Computers for Classrooms (CFC)

Creating a Successful Computer Refurbishing Program Conference Call: Access Code: Agenda Why start a reuse program? How to get started Funding suggestions Special regulations Manage a program on a small budget Removing the data How to receive donations Offering tech support Tracking Promotion Q&A

Creating a Successful Computer Refurbishing Program Conference Call: Access Code: Why do you want to create a reuse program? Are you looking to support: –a specific program? –Schools? –low-income families, veterans, the elderly, persons with disabilities, limited English speaking people? –job training and employment opportunities? –environmental concerns? –closing the digital divide? –teaching computer literacy?

Creating a Successful Computer Refurbishing Program Conference Call: Access Code: In other words, what is your mission? Be as specific as possible.

Creating a Successful Computer Refurbishing Program Conference Call: Access Code: What questions should I answer before I start? Are the specific recipients identified i.e. seniors, students, adults in job training programs? Can I start in a donated space? Can I do everything or do I have committed help? Will I refurbish MACs, PCs or both?

Creating a Successful Computer Refurbishing Program Conference Call: Access Code: What other questions should I answer before starting? How will I provide training and technical support? Will I provide transportation or shipping? How many computers do I anticipate refurbishing a year? Microsoft, through the MAR program, makes all of your operating systems legal. Tough with Macs.

Creating a Successful Computer Refurbishing Program Conference Call: Access Code: How will the program be funded? Determine your funding model. Bruce/OTX-West- grants (60%) and earned income (40%). $100 - $250 for schools and non-profits. Pat – Cost/Recovery basis - currently $90 to $135 for full systems with one year warranty.

Creating a Successful Computer Refurbishing Program Conference Call: Access Code: Are there special regulations that we need to know about? What is e-waste, hazardous materials or universal waste? What are the increasing problems with e-waste? Know the laws that will impact your operation Talk to your local Director of Waste Management

Creating a Successful Computer Refurbishing Program Conference Call: Access Code: Final thoughts before you start. Don’t accept donations unless you know how you will get rid of the parts you don’t want. Know where your discards will be going and who will handle them. Your donors want to know the final destination of your scrap.

Creating a Successful Computer Refurbishing Program Conference Call: Access Code: How can I manage this program on a small budget? Volunteers! Getting volunteers Senior centers A+ certification programs needing experience Opportunity to “earn” a free computer Apple/MAC users’ group College classes – instructors offer credit Read our manuals

Creating a Successful Computer Refurbishing Program Conference Call: Access Code: What are the key things to know about removing data? Have a secure facility. ALL hard drives must be completely wiped. Use software programs to wipe the drives. Drives that are too small or don’t wipe completely must be physically destroyed.

Creating a Successful Computer Refurbishing Program Conference Call: Access Code: How can you obtain donations? Build partnerships. Develop a brochure. Explain that reuse is 25 times better than just recycling. Talk to schools and governmental agencies. Don’t ask for more than you can handle. Publicize your successes.

Creating a Successful Computer Refurbishing Program Conference Call: Access Code: A Comparison of Reuse vs. Recycling 100 Computers Recycled100 Computers Reused Energy Savings Saves enough electricity to power 2.75 U.S. households in a year Saves enough electricity to power U.S. households in a year Greenhouse Gas Reduction** Same as removing 1.95 passenger cars from the road per year Same as removing 48 passenger cars from the road per year Air Emissions** Reduces air emissions by 129 metric tons (142.2 U.S. tons) Reduces air emissions by 3,183 metric tons (3,508.7 U.S. tons) Water emissions** Reduces water emissions by 0.27 metric tons (0.30 U.S. tons) Reduces water emissions by 6.66 metric tons (7.43 U.S. tons) Replacement Cost Savings $2,708$66,801 This example was prepared using the United States Electronics Environmental Benefits Calculator *. The environmental benefits of Reuse and Recycling are compared. 100 computers with CRT monitors are either Recycled or Reused. The savings are compared to disposing of the equipment in a landfill. * ** These may be proportionally greater than other metrics,as they include all material inputs, including those from upstream processes. These estimates do not account for impacts from product/material substitutions that might replace restricted materials. Prepared by Computers for Classrooms, Chico, CA March 2008http://eerc.ra.utk.edu/ccpct/eebc/eebc

Creating a Successful Computer Refurbishing Program Conference Call: Access Code: How about receiving software donations? Receive original media OTXWest uses: –Windows XP, MS Office (both from MAR) –Open-source programs (Openoffice, the Gimp, Audacity) – Some freeware, but never trial-ware or shareware –Increasingly use free web based programs such as aviary.com The MAR (Microsoft Authorized Refurbishers) program is VERY highly recommended. Pat uses Linux software on low end laptops that run too slowly using Windows. Standardize computer loads and provide a fixed number of standard “models”.

Creating a Successful Computer Refurbishing Program Conference Call: Access Code: Do you support equipment after it is distributed? Decide on your support model. Refurbished computer systems must be seen as being reliable. You can offer to replace the system after the year’s time for a reduced price. By setting a restore point prior to the release of the system, you may be able to simplify tech support.

Creating a Successful Computer Refurbishing Program Conference Call: Access Code: What information would you recommend to track? Tracking records must be maintained. Collect addresses of recipients to start a newsletter. Information gathered must include the date, name of the recipient, the recipient type, licenses distributed and level of computer such as Pentium III or Pentium IV. Another statistic that might be usable would be the approximate weight of the system.

Creating a Successful Computer Refurbishing Program Conference Call: Access Code: How can you promote your program? Develop a brochure about your program. Offer to speak before local organizations. Get free publicity from local newspapers, radio, TV spots, web links, bulletin boards. Develop a website and links with other websites. Do something special for Earth Day/Month. Create a video, see samples at

Creating a Successful Computer Refurbishing Program Conference Call: Access Code: Resource Page Microsoft Authorized Refurbisher (MAR): OTX-West (Bruce): –There is both a video at and a “Getting Started” manual at Computers for Classrooms (Pat): Microsoft sponsored Power Point Series with photos about Creating a Reuse Program.Power Point Series or come and visit beautiful West

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Creating a Successful Computer Refurbishing Program Conference Call: Access Code: Continue the Discussion… Additional questions can be answered by posting in the Technology Planning Forum: –tinyurl.com/yzpe9z8

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Creating a Successful Computer Refurbishing Program Conference Call: Access Code: Upcoming Webinars Get Started on Facebook –Thursday, March 11, 10:00 a.m. Pacific Finding the Perfect Donor Database in an Imperfect World –Thursday, April 15, 11:00 a.m. Pacific

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