Frequently asked questions about Computer Access and
refurbished computers
What equipment do you accept?
- We accept
surplus computers and computer peripherals from anyone. However there
may be small acceptance charges for one-off deliveries of older
equipment. Unfortunately
there is little or no demand for such equipment and it’s a net cost to
CANZ refurbishers to have it recycled in environmentally acceptable way.
Charges to receive and dispose of older equipment are: monitors $25,
desktop ‘boxes’ $5 and printers $10.
- We develop
longer-term relationships with organisations which donate a variety of
newer equipment through us. While much of this equipment can be
refurbished and resold, we accept that some may still need
environmentally acceptable recycling, at our cost. It’s the swings and
roundabouts principle.
-
CANZ
refurbishers may offer free pickup in their metropolitan areas for
larger quantities of equipment. Small lots should be dropped off at the
refurbisher’s premises or a pickup fee may apply if you are unable to
drop the computers off.
My gear is old and I don’t want to pay for its recycling. Is there an
environmentally acceptable alternative?
- Keep an eye
out for the next ‘eDay’ free computer recycling event in your area.
Who can donate?
Most donations come from government or
corporate sources, but refurbishing companies will accept computers from anyone.
Who do I
contact to donate computer equipment?
- You can either contact the CANZ office by
phone at 04-472 5518 or email to info@canz.org.nz;; or get in touch with your nearest refurbisher.
Do I have to deliver to the refurbishing company?
Refurbishers will arrange collection from
businesses and in some cases from individuals. However, if there are only one or two
computers involved, we encourage donors to drop them off at one of the recycling depots.
Too many uneconomic pickups could help put refurbishers out of business!
What is the refurbishing process?
First
refurbishers remove all software and data from hard drives, using US
Defence Department-approved data destruction processes, and then assess
whether the machines can be refurbished to marketable standards. If the
machines are re-marketable, they clean and test them, and replace
components as necessary. They can
install a fully licensed operating system and any other licensed
software which may be requested by a purchaser.
Machines which are below standard are upgraded or cannibalised for spare
parts. There is usually a surplus of some parts such as CD ROMs,
hard drives and these are sometimes
sold through other channels to help defray operating costs
or used to refurbish other computers. Remaining parts are
disposed of in the least environmentally damaging way available.
Can you guarantee data
security and transfer of liability?
-
Yes. Data security is of the
utmost importance.
Our accredited refurbishers take this
part of the process very seriously. From the moment refurbishers
collect equipment, they take full liability for destroying data,
licensing software, and appropriate destinations for the hardware.
-
One of the first things
refurbishers do with donated computers is to erase all software and data
from their drives. No attempt is made to examine the data. If a drive is
not to be re-used, it will be physically destroyed.
-
Refurbishers remove all markings identifying the donor before refurbished
machines are sold.
-
Refurbishers have established legal arrangements that transfer all
responsibility for machines to CANZ
refurbishers. When refurbishers pick up used equipment, they give
you a transfer note which describes the equipment. If you wish to
prepare your own inventory list with serial numbers of machines,
refurbishers will sign against it.
What’s in it for
donors?
- You get a disposal avenue for obsolete
equipment, with a tax write-off opportunity.
- You get rid of old equipment which is taking
up space.
- You help schools make best use of existing
technology and help train a new generation of computer users.
- (If desired) you get publicity for your
donation through this website and media publicity we generate.
- You get certification from CANZ which can be used to show your own public commitment to
recycling.
- You deal with only a single organisation – an accredited CANZ
refurbisher – instead of potentially many schools and community organisations which may want your
old equipment. Less hassles all round.
Why not give direct to schools?
Businesses sometimes give computer cast-offs to their local school, but that can be a
mixed blessing for both parties. Often the machines are in poor condition, and if they
play up, the school may expect the donor to sort them out. Problems with donations have
led some teachers to unfairly question the whole concept of refurbished computers. However,
older 486 and Pentium machines still have long and useful lives ahead of them if they are
professionally refurbished.
Refurbishers mix and match components from a variety of donors, but sometimes we do
arrange for organisations to sponsor refurbished PCs for specific schools.
Aren’t you just dumping outmoded technology on schools?
Not at all. We recognise that refurbished computers can’t do everything, but many
areas of student computing don’t need high performance machines.
Most CANZ branded computers at least Pentium 4 or, more usually, faster
machines that have been recently retired from businesses.
Such machines let schools browse the Internet, download learning
resources, use e-mail, and run word processing, spreadsheet and most
graphics software. They work particularly well in networks for ‘bulk’
school applications like word processing classes.
Buying cheaper CANZ-branded machines gives school boards of trustees more purchasing power,
which means that schools – particularly those in
low income communities – have more chance of achieving desirable
computer/student ratios.
Saving money on hardware also frees funds to be spent on software, professional
development for teachers in computer use, and alternative education activities. Money
saved can also be put toward new computers for high-end multi-media use.
The national computer refurbishing and
recycling project has the support and encouragement of the Ministry of Education through
its ICT strategy.
Can you refer me to schools
using CANZ refurbished PCs?
Click
here
to go directly to case studies of schools using refurbished computers, at the Learning Power
website. These case studies include contact details for the schools concerned.
What’s wrong with sending old PCs to the tip?
Dumping
PCs permanently removes an avenue of affordable computing for people in the community who
can least afford to buy new machines. Also, tossing old computers in the
landfill is not good environmental practice. You lose an ability to recycle components and
raw materials such as plastic and metals, including gold.
Some parts are toxic to the environment.
Examples are the monitor screen glass which contains lead, and batteries on mother boards.
Monitors can contain several kilograms of lead. A table showing the
environmental impacts of materials used in computer production is
here.
CANZ refurbishers issue certificates of
recycling, which may be used by donors to support their environmental policy. Certificates
state how many units were collected and how many are suitable for re-use.
Who qualifies for Computer Access machines?
- Schools have first call on all machines
- Not-for-profit organisations and approved school-based projects such as 'Computers in
Homes' have second call.
- Non-standard machines may also be sold to schools to meet clearly defined and understood
needs.
- Other machines may be donated to schools for fundraising purposes or to those with
special education needs which can be met by specific machines.
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