Recycled Computer Initiative FAQs
What is the Recycled Computer Initiative?
The Recycled Computer Initiative (RCI) is a program developed by TechSoup with support from Redemtech. It is designed to increase nonprofits’ access to needed technology while reducing electronic waste. The program accomplishes this by creating an easy, secure process for corporations to donate surplus technology, which is then completely refurbished and made available to nonprofits through the TechSoup Web site.
Why do nonprofits need refurbished computers?
There are more than 1.6 million nonprofit organizations in the United States that employ approximately 10.6 million people. Sixty percent of these organizations have a total budget of under $100,000, making it difficult for them to acquire basic technology systems that could help them deliver services more efficiently. An estimated 40 percent of nonprofit workers don’t have Pentium-level computers available to do their work. (CompuMentor Islands in the Wastestream Report 2004).
How does the program benefit nonprofits?
The RCI program gives U.S. nonprofits access to surplus, business-grade, brand-name warranteed computer equipment that comes complete with a fully licensed Windows® operating system at the lowest possible cost. Prices range from $430 for a notebook computer to $280 for a desktop model. These systems are able to run standard office productivity tools and applications, whether used as a stand-alone machine or connected to a network, and are an excellent alternative to buying new equipment of the same quality for often double the price.
How does the program benefit corporate donors?
Large corporations routinely retire 3- to 4-year-old IT equipment as a result of upgrades, reorganizations, acquisitions and other business changes. These surplus systems can be resold, donated to charity or recycled. Many organizations prefer charitable donation to support corporate philanthropy programs, but lack an effective channel for getting their surplus technology to nonprofits. RCI provides an efficient, secure process and channel for computer donation, at a cost lower than the industry standard, according to Gartner estimates.
Companies who donate through the RCI program are helping the environment by giving new life to computers that may otherwise be destined for disposal. In addition, they can potentially avoid unnecessary depreciation, software and maintenance costs, reduce security liabilities associated with surplus equipment that is being stored but not used, and may be eligible for take a tax deduction on donation fulfillment services.
What makes this program different from other programs?
RCI is the first-ever nationwide refurbishing program geared strictly to nonprofits. In addition to offering donations of high-quality computer equipment at the lowest possible cost, RCI also provides corporations with an environmentally friendly, philanthropic alternative to used equipment disposal.
Why did Redemtech and TechSoup partner for this program?
Each organization brings unique services and capabilities to the program, and the program allows both organizations to better serve their customers and constituents.
As the largest independent provider of TCM (Technology Change Management) services in the U.S., Redemtech helps large corporations make better use of the technology they have, while effectively managing the disposition of surplus technology. Many of these organizations would like to donate surplus technology to nonprofits but have concerns about data privacy and don’t have an efficient way to get computers to the people who need them. Redemtech’s certified data security processes address the first issue while its relationship with TechSoup addresses the second.
TechSoup is a trusted technology resource for the nonprofit sector. Its website receives more than 350,000 unique monthly visitors and features hundreds of how-to articles, 15 community discussion forums, a technology news section, and its product donation service TechSoup Stock. TechSoup Stock provides access to donated and discounted technology products from over 25 leading providers such as Cisco, Symantec, Adobe, and Microsoft to qualified nonprofits. TechSoup recognized there was a major need among its constituents for desktop and laptop computers and partnered with Redemtech to develop RCI and meet that need.
What is Redemtech’s role in RCI?
Redemtech provides logistics, data security, refurbishing and imaging services for the RCI program. Redemtech provides these services through a national network of TCM Centers. Donated equipment is recovered by Redemtech, securely transported to the nearest regional TCM Center where it is evaluated, refurbished and imaged. Redemtech warranted data security services provide effective, proven sanitization of computer hard drives and include certified reporting for privacy compliance requirements. Redemtech is the first commercial Microsoft Authorized Refurbisher in North America, allowing the company to load select Windows® operating systems for a $5 administrative fee on computers being donated by corporate entities to eligible recipients. MAR significantly reduces the costs of donating user-ready computer systems.
Aren’t these computers going to end up as e-waste eventually anyway?
No. As part of the RCI program, Redemtech has agreed to offer free end-of-life services to nonprofits who acquire technology through RCI. This ensures every computer donated through the RCI program will be responsibly recycled at its end of life, no matter when that may be.
Redemtech adheres to a strict zero-export, zero-landfill, zero-incineration recycling policy for all of the computers it recycles. The company has established processes to ensure that none of the computers it recycles ever ends up in landfills, either in the U.S. or in developing countries. Its recycling program is ISO 14001 certified and approved by The Electronics Recyclers Pledge of True Stewardship.
Redemtech has continually lead the industry in adopting the highest standards for recycling, most recently implementing manual demanufacturing processes to capture any usable components from non-functioning computers prior to recycling.
What is TechSoup?
TechSoup is the technology Web site for nonprofits created by CompuMentor with more than 350,000 unique monthly visitors. TechSoup features more than 400 how-to articles on 17 technology topics, 15 community discussion forums, a technology news section, and the TechFinder service provider directory. Nonprofits also have access to TechSoup's technology product philanthropy service, TechSoup Stock. TechSoup Stock provides access to donated and discounted technology products from over 25 leading providers such as Cisco, Intuit and Microsoft for a small administrative fee. Since its inception in January 2002, the service has fulfilled over 83,000 requests from nonprofits in North America, Europe and Africa for technology products. More than 2.5 million products have been distributed, freeing up over $600 million for other uses.
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