Success Story

Goodwills Recycle and Refurbish Computer Donations

Find Winning Solutions to E-Waste

Each year, tens of millions of computers, televisions and other electronic products are discarded. With an estimated 500 million computers becoming obsolete by 2007, and millions more microwave ovens, stereos and televisions finding their way to the trash heap, communities are seeking economically and environmentally sound ways to recycle and reuse these products.

Goodwills are proactively creating solutions for the mounting surplus of computers, monitors and other electronic items they receive - more than 200,000 computers alone are donated each year. Goodwills in Austin, TX; Orange County, CA; Pittsburgh, PA; Wilmington, DE; Tallahassee, FL; Charleston, SC; and other cities, are refurbishing reusable computers, de-manufacturing non-working equipment into recyclable components, and avoiding rising landfill disposal costs. And at the same time, they're expanding their job training and career services, and generating revenue through the resale of the computer equipment.

Goodwill Industries of Central Texas (Austin) operates a state-of-the-art used computer de-manufacturing and repair operation, and rebuilds over 3,000 computers each year for its computer resale store, ComputerWorks.

Goodwill Industries of Orange County, California (Santa Ana) also operates two computer stores. Employees at the Goodwill's 34 donation centers are trained to recognize acceptable equipment (Pentium II and higher), which is sent to the two computer stores for cleaning and upgrading. The Goodwill maintains a customer service department that assists the computer stores by soliciting computers and computer-like products from local businesses.

Goodwill Industries of Pittsburgh's dedicated computer store has been open for business since 1995. The agency recently began a computer hard-drive cleaning service for local businesses, and an in-house repair and upgrade service for the general public.

Most of these enterprises provide computer training opportunities and employment for persons with disabilities and disadvantages. Goodwill Industries of Lower South Carolina (Charleston) offers extensive IT training at its PC Recycle Center, which specializes in computer refurbishing, service and sales.

Donated computers are used to support a state-of-the-art A+ certification class at Goodwill Industries of Knoxville (TN). The certification is the industry standard for entry-level computer technicians. The agency receives computer donations from its collection centers, and a partnership with the City of Knoxville provides the Goodwill a portion of the proceeds of semi-annual citywide computer collection events.

In Tallahassee, FL, Goodwill Industries-Big Bend is collaborating with state government to deal with the overabundance of computers. The Goodwill refurbishes and sells computer equipment, 80 percent of which is donated by state agencies. And through a state grant, the Goodwill partners with Leon County to collect used computers.  

Source: Working! Spring 2004