TechSoup’s Refurbished Computer Initiative (RCI) takes responsibility for all unwanted IT equipment and turns used computer and office equipment into effective corporate “Green Philanthropy”.  Recognizing that Corporate Social Responsibility programs must align with business needs, this comprehensive IT asset management program accepts all unwanted IT equipment - working or not, transfers responsibility and liability, meets regulatory requirements, and provides complete program management. Donated equipment that still has a useful life is refurbished and made available to nonprofit organizations and low-income families. And, keeping unwanted equipment out of the waste stream delvers a meaningful carbon offset for the environment.

TechSoup, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, is the leader in helping other nonprofits get and use Information Technology. We have partnered with Redemtech, a leading IT asset management firm, to create a comprehensive program that address all of the corporate issues associated with disposing unwanted IT equipment, while delivering both social and environmental benefits. A triple win!

Highlights of the RCI program include:

Business Sense
Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) has become an extremely important consideration to employees, customers and investors. Participating companies gain a partnership that will efficiently get rid of their unwanted IT equipment while fulfilling CSR objectives in a way that becomes a visible proof point to their constituents. “Used-but-useful” computers and other equipment are upgraded and distributed to our nonprofit client organizations; remaining material is remarketed or recycled using fully environmentally responsible and legally compliant processes. Through Redemtech, the program handles the logistics, secures corporate data, transfers liability, recycles e-waste (with legal indemnification), and provides complete reporting for company records. Companies incur only normal disposition costs for these services.

Social Benefits
Donated equipment is made available to qualified nonprofit organizations and low income families at the lowest possible cost – a fraction of the price of new equipment and less than half the price of comparable used equipment. Technology Access Provider organizations, in turn, provide computers to low income families. Donations enable nonprofit organizations to allocate more of their budgets to their primary missions, while access to RCI PCs helps low-income families to cross the digital divide.

Environmental Benefits
Reuse provides the highest environmental benefit of all IT disposal alternatives. Keeping one computer and CRT out of the waste stream yields a carbon offset equal to taking ½ of a car off the road for a year (per the Environmental Benefits Calculator developed by the U.S EPA). At final end-of-life, the equipment is taken back by Redemtech and recycled at no additional cost to the donor or end-user.

TechSoup Leadership
TechSoup has been a thought leader and advocate for the reuse of electronic equipment for several years. We organize and host the annual International Computer Refurbishers Summit, consult to the U.S. EPA and other governmental agencies on policy formulation, and provide general advocacy to all sectors through our website, papers and speaking engagements. TechSoup administers the Community Microsoft Authorized Refurbishers (MAR) program for the 44 countries of the Americas. Community MAR supplies very low-cost Windows licensing to refurbishers of all types for computers that are provided to schools or charities anywhere in the world.

TechSoup Infrastructure
TechSoup has an established Web-based platform to distribute donated products to nonprofit organizations. It includes an industry leading process to validate qualifications, enforce giving restrictions, process orders and provide customer support. In 2007 fiscal year TechSoup distributed 846,000 technology products with a retail value of $251 million to 40,000 organizations.

Ready for Action
The RCI program is ready for large scale operation. Our challenge is supply. We would like companies and large organizations to donate their used, commercial-grade personal computers and other office equipment, and participate in the RCI program as recognized partners.

Learn more about the RCI program at www.techsoup.org/stock/rci/. Please contact Kris Sowolla (ksowolla@techsoup.org, 415-633-9476) for more information on participation in the Refurbished Computer Initiative.

Kris Sowolla

Sr. Business Development Manager

TechSoup

ofc: (415) 633-9476

mob: (408) 204-5687

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