Computers for schools/charities thing, please read
Discussion
Morning people, I'd like your opinion on something...
Like a lot of companies, we replace our IT kit and have to dispose of the old stuff. In the past we have donated it to our local playgroup which seems to work well for both parties.
We wondered if it would be useful to set up a register where companies could post what they were disposing of, and schools, playgroups could post what they wanted. Sort of like a very specific freecycle.
The delivery, set up etc will be the responsibility of the school/ company (we will encourage PTA's to do it), although we will pubish guidlines, links to edubuntu ISOs and the like..
Is this a good/bad idea?
Pitfalls?
Thanks
D
Like a lot of companies, we replace our IT kit and have to dispose of the old stuff. In the past we have donated it to our local playgroup which seems to work well for both parties.
We wondered if it would be useful to set up a register where companies could post what they were disposing of, and schools, playgroups could post what they wanted. Sort of like a very specific freecycle.
The delivery, set up etc will be the responsibility of the school/ company (we will encourage PTA's to do it), although we will pubish guidlines, links to edubuntu ISOs and the like..
Is this a good/bad idea?
Pitfalls?
Thanks
D
davidd said:
Morning people, I'd like your opinion on something...
Like a lot of companies, we replace our IT kit and have to dispose of the old stuff. In the past we have donated it to our local playgroup which seems to work well for both parties.
We wondered if it would be useful to set up a register where companies could post what they were disposing of, and schools, playgroups could post what they wanted. Sort of like a very specific freecycle.
The delivery, set up etc will be the responsibility of the school/ company (we will encourage PTA's to do it), although we will pubish guidlines, links to edubuntu ISOs and the like..
Is this a good/bad idea?
Pitfalls?
Thanks
D
Nice idea, especially for charity-run playgroups. I used to be on the committee of our local playgroup and we were always after bits and pieces like that.Like a lot of companies, we replace our IT kit and have to dispose of the old stuff. In the past we have donated it to our local playgroup which seems to work well for both parties.
We wondered if it would be useful to set up a register where companies could post what they were disposing of, and schools, playgroups could post what they wanted. Sort of like a very specific freecycle.
The delivery, set up etc will be the responsibility of the school/ company (we will encourage PTA's to do it), although we will pubish guidlines, links to edubuntu ISOs and the like..
Is this a good/bad idea?
Pitfalls?
Thanks
D
Within my local freecycle group there is a facility for charities to list things they need although its not very well adverstised - think its one of the databases in the Yahoo group. Not sure whether its freecycle-wide but as its a facility thats already there perhaps it could be utilised ?
I think it is a good idea as long as it complies with all the recycling laws that are now in place (WEE etc etc). We buy seconduser IT equipment but many organisations require the proper certificates to justifty if it will be destroyed or re used etc. We are not registered to do this so it is hard to convince many companies to part with their equipment even if we offer to pay for it.
In Germany they are trying to make it law (if it isnt already) that the supplier at the top of the chain has to label the equipment so that when it comes to the end of its life / use; the user (even if it has changed hands several times) can see where it came from. It is then the suppliers job to destroy / recycle said product. It is causing a few headaches.
I have a friend who works for the worlds biggest publisher and they donate their equipment to a recycling company who then sell it on for a profit. This doesnt make sense. I have offered them money but they belive it is more green to do what they are doing.
This game is like no other and there are always people looking to make a fast buck when they are trying to make out their intensions are good.
In Germany they are trying to make it law (if it isnt already) that the supplier at the top of the chain has to label the equipment so that when it comes to the end of its life / use; the user (even if it has changed hands several times) can see where it came from. It is then the suppliers job to destroy / recycle said product. It is causing a few headaches.
I have a friend who works for the worlds biggest publisher and they donate their equipment to a recycling company who then sell it on for a profit. This doesnt make sense. I have offered them money but they belive it is more green to do what they are doing.
This game is like no other and there are always people looking to make a fast buck when they are trying to make out their intensions are good.
Edited by 968CSReading on Tuesday 5th June 11:32
Working for a company that sells IT purely into Education - Years ago we used to sell second user laptops etc but these days everything Schools have is brand new. The money going into education is huge at present and they now have the ability to spend capital budgets not just IT budgets. I seriously doubt you get much joy from schools so you would be limited in terms of who takes this equipment pretty much just to charities so I would rule out schools if you're thinking along those lines. Many of them these days aren't even allowed to purchase second user IT equipment or even receive it for free. It does depend on the LEA though.
paul001 said:
Working for a company that sells IT purely into Education - Years ago we used to sell second user laptops etc but these days everything Schools have is brand new. The money going into education is huge at present and they now have the ability to spend capital budgets not just IT budgets. I seriously doubt you get much joy from schools so you would be limited in terms of who takes this equipment pretty much just to charities so I would rule out schools if you're thinking along those lines. Many of them these days aren't even allowed to purchase second user IT equipment or even receive it for free. It does depend on the LEA though.
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