Presentation Creating A Refurb Program

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Creating a Successful Computer Refurbishing Program March 4, 2010Audio is only available by calling this number:Conference Call: 866-740-1260; Access Code: 6339392

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Creating a Successful Computer Refurbishing Program

Sponsored byPresenters: Pat Furr, Computers for Classrooms (CFC)Bruce Buckelew, Oakland Technology Exchange West (OTX West)


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 FurrComputers for Classrooms

(CFC)


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


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?


In other words, what is your mission?

Be as specific as possible.


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?


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.


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.


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


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.


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


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.


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.


A Comparison of Reuse vs. Recycling

100 Computers Recycled 100 Computers Reused

Energy Savings

Saves enough electricity to power2.75 U.S. households in a year

Saves enough electricity to power68.00 U.S. households in a year

Greenhouse Gas

Reduction**

Same as removing1.95 passenger cars from the

road per year

Same as removing48 passenger cars from the road

per year

Air Emissions**

Reduces air emissions by129 metric tons (142.2 U.S.

tons)

Reduces air emissions by3,183 metric tons (3,508.7 U.S.

tons)

Water emissions**

Reduces water emissions by0.27 metric tons (0.30 U.S. tons)

Reduces water emissions by6.66 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.

* http://eerc.ra.utk.edu/ccpct/eebc/eebc ** 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 2008


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”.


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.


What information would you recommend to track?• Tracking records must be

maintained. • Collect email 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.


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

www.otxwest.org/gallery.html


Resource Page

• Microsoft Authorized Refurbisher (MAR): www.techsoup.org/MAR

• OTX-West (Bruce): www.otxwest .org – There is both a video at www.otxwest.org/gallery.html

and a “Getting Started” manual at www.otxwest.org/downloads.html

• Computers for Classrooms (Pat): www.computersforclassrooms.org

• Microsoft sponsored Power Point Series with photos about Creating a Reuse Program.

• Email [email protected] or come and visit beautiful West Oakland

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