Nonproft Struggles To Include Reuse In New Oregon Electronics Recycling Law

Dec. 20, 2008 - PRLog -- Oregon E-Cycles, established by Oregon’s Electronics Recycling Law (ORS 459A.300-.365), is a new statewide program that requires electronics manufacturers to provide responsible recycling for four types of electronic devices. The new statewide program provides free recycling of computers, laptops, monitors, and TVs. The program is financed by electronics manufacturers and jointly implemented with the Oregon Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ).

According to the Oregon DEQ, unwanted computers, monitors and TVs – referred to as electronic waste or “e-waste” – is the fastest growing waste stream in the U.S. With technology constantly changing, we replace our electronics every few years. In 2007 alone, Americans generated about 232 million units of computer and TV-related e-waste, only 18% of which was recycled. In addition, it’s estimated that 235 million more units are stored in our basements, closets, and garages.

Anyone can bring seven or fewer computers, laptops, monitors, and TVs at a time to participating Oregon E-Cycles collectors for free recycling. The program does not provide free recycling of keyboards, mice, speakers, printers, scanners, or other types of electronics or appliances; however, NextStep  http://www.nextsteprecycling.org will continue to accept these items. NextStep Recycling has three collection sites to meet our community’s needs located in Eugene, Springfield, and Florence.

“This law, though well intended, is focused only on recycling. Everything coming into the state program must go to a shredder. At NextStep, we see the value of REUSE BEFORE RECYCLING, and the importance of capturing technology and redistributing refurbished material to our community members. As more and more community members cannot afford technology, we need to ensure that the playing field is level-that ALL kids can research a class paper, that ALL seniors can log into the internet and check their status with Medicare, that ALL children in foster care can stay connected to their friends and loved ones, that ALL persons with disabilities can research their medical conditions, that ALL people who are bed or wheelchair bound can communicate with the wide world, that ALL family members leaving domestically violent relationships have access to a cell phone for 911 calls. We have designed a society that has a technology infrastructure-more and more community members are getting pushed out of the loop because they can’t afford to purchase a new computer or a new cell phone,” reports Lorraine Kerwood, Executive Director and Founder of NextStep Recycling.

The US Government Accounting Office estimates that over 100 million computers, monitors, and televisions become obsolete each year in the US. The US National Safety Council estimates that there may be 500 million obsolete computers in the US waiting to be discarded. Only 11% of computer discards in the US are recycled. The US EPA concludes that the disposal of these discards accounts for a significant amount of the heavy metals found in landfills, and is a threat to the environment and public health.

“Although there will be other collection points for the program, our volunteers and staff hope our community will see the greater value of redistribution of their obsolete electronics to our more marginalized community members and will continue to use NextStep as their “one stop electronics drop off” facility. Because we no longer will be charging to receive the four covered devices, our income will drop 30%. Since the scrap market has plummeted, we have lost an additional amount of our income. The only way NextStep can continue to run its well needed programs is if our volume increases,” reports Kerwood. NextStep has refurbished and redistributed over 17,000 computers and many more thousands of other electronic devices.

United Nations estimates that recycling computers consumes 20 times more energy than reuse. Refurbishing offers the most efficient alternative to dealing with the world's growing mountain of e-waste. By keeping valuable resources local, out of the shredder, offering job and social skills training, and relying on local workers, refurbishing also counters one of the prevailing problems in computer technology and distribution - rapid obsolescence. “NextStep believes the triple bottom line of people, environment, and economy is what will make our community sustainable. We believe, and our community demonstrates, that our services are an integral piece to move our community’s growth towards sustainability,” Kerwood stated.

The environmental benefits of reuse over recycling are staggering, according to US EPA officials. The use of refurbished computers by low-income individuals and agencies greatly contributes to education and skills training for future careers in small businesses, government agencies and industry. Computer refurbishing and redistribution are essential for social welfare and economic advancement.

NextStep has completely redesigned its intake procedures for the Oregon E-Cycles Program and spent thousands of dollars to further streamline its procedures. “We have to get smarter, faster, and even more efficient in every aspect of our service to the community,” says Kerwood. NextStep has been on the cutting edge of technology reuse from its inception.

“Although reuse is written into the new recycling law, it has been a struggle to keep it in the practice of the law. Everyone at NextStep is committed to finds ways to do more, with less income. In this day and age, when our resources are dwindling, it is increasingly important to note that recycling consumes 20 times more energy than reuse, and that demand for refurbished technology is on the rise,” reports Kerwood.

DONATION TIPS FROM NEXTSTEP:
1. Donate your old computer right after buying your new one. The effective reuse life of a computer is only two or three years, so the sooner you donate it into the refurbishing cycle, the more useful it will be. NextStep can refurbish and upgrade your machine so it is usable and functions with out present technological environment.

2. Working computers can be upgraded to do the six things most people do with computers: Internet browsing, e-mail, word processing, spreadsheets, presentations, and finances. NextStep will install bigger hard drives, more RAM, and Ethernet and modem cards. NextStep is a Microsoft Authorized Community Refurbisher, and follows the Microsoft standards for data wiping and reinstalling of the operating system.

3. If you donate your electronics to NextStep, you are eligible for a tax break. NextStep is a 501 (c) (3) nonprofit organization. The tax laws pertaining to this are Section 170 of the Federal Income Tax Code, the New Millennium Classrooms Act, and the 21st Century Classrooms Act. Business donors can deduct the un-depreciated value of the computer, and individuals can deduct the current market value of a computer.

4. NextStep will wipe your hard drive and remove your personal data, even if you have done this task already.

5. The Basel Action Network's "Exporting Harm " report estimates that 50 to 80 percent of U.S. e-waste ends up in Asia. Experts debate the exact number, but the practice is quite common in several countries and is creating some of the most concentrated lead pollution on the planet. NextStep works with local processors, who have been vetted to ensure they do not ship container loads of e-waste over seas.

“It is my hope that our community members will see the importance and value of working with NextStep, a nationally recognized computer refurbisher. We take all of our procedures and processes very seriously. We will continue to do our best to bridge the digital divide and offer technology to our most marginalized populations. We can only do this work with our community’s support. Donate your obsolete electronics and pass on education and opportunity. Technology is a terrible thing to waste.” Kerwood stated.

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NextStep educates and empowers marginalized populations by providing refurbished computers that allow access to technology and the Internet. NS recycles computer hardware and other electronics, keeping hazardous waste out of our soil and water.