Camera Transforming Education - Lab Report Example

Report: Free Geek and e-waste Contents Opportunity 1 Background 2 Over the last couple of decades, Intel has been a leader in technology, advancing not only technology, but the way the world interacts with it. Intel is at the forefront of the computer chip manufacturing industry and is possibly the most influential technology companies in the past century. Intel’s leadership and influence has set standards for similar companies for the betterment of the environment. 2 Opportunity This report was designed to enhance the understanding of the benefits of donating recycled electronics or “e-waste” through Free Geek. It seeks to answer the following questions: Why is it necessary to recycle e-waste? What is Free Geek and how does it promote environmental sustainability and education? How can Intel’s donations to Free Geek benefit the e-waste problem locally and globally? What benefits can Intel expect if they donate to Free Geek? Background Over the last couple of decades, Intel has been a leader in technology, advancing not only technology, but the way the world interacts with it. Intel is at the forefront of the computer chip manufacturing industry and is possibly the most influential technology companies in the past century. Intel’s leadership and influence has set standards for similar companies for the betterment of the environment. Free Geek, a local non-profit organization in Portland Oregon, describes itself in the company’s mission statement as an organization that firmly believes that recycling is best done through “reuse”. Owing to this philosophy, the company refurbishes whatever it can and gives it back to the community “with a new lease on life”. This way the stuff doesn’t get thrown into the garbage or used for landfills to filter toxins from the soil nor is it dumped to developing countries to be disassembled by young ones. The company makes sure that all electronic materials that are not reused are recycled in a responsible manner within the confines of North America. Imagine the possibilities if two forward thinking companies worked together with a common goal for the greater good of all humanity.  This report shall shed light on the downfalls of e-waste, the benefits of cooperation, and the positives of donation.  While e-waste is a global calamity, this report shall focus on a smaller scale, primarily the United States.   Discussion of Findings Hazards and Effects of E-waste E-waste has many negative effects on the livelihood of humans, animals and their natural habitats. Polybrominated diphenyl ethers are a component of e-waste that is used as flame retardants in plastics in high tech electronics. This chemical compound is synthetic and is not a product of nature. It mainly includes bromine with some amounts of chlorine, fluorine, iodine and astatine. This compound works by releasing bromine atoms that depletes the surrounding oxygen in the air. PBDEs are toxic in that they are responsible for the disruption of thyroid hormones, deficits in neurodevelopment and cancer (Hooper and McDonald). These PBDEs have been detected in marine mammals everywhere from the Baltic Sea to the Great Lakes and are found in humans in the United States at higher levels than anywhere else in the world (Grossman 113). Since only 15-20% of e-waste is recycled in the U.S. it is questionable where the rest goes (U.S Environmental Protection Agency). “On the outskirts of Ghana’s biggest city sits a smoldering wasteland, a slum carved into the banks of the Korle Lagoon, one of the most polluted bodies of water on earth” (WGBH Educational Foundation). Exported e-waste has a huge impact in a lot of developing countries. These developing countries offer a very inexpensive recycling service although most workers work in extremely unsafe environments. Tests revealed the presence of purely acidic soil near some of the work areas having a pH level of 0 (Grossman 187). Impact of Corporate Recycling of Electronics According to the United Nations Environmental Programme , “e-waste constitutes the largest and most rapidly growing manufacturing waste” (Grossman 145). Corporate recycling can affect both the environment and the technology market itself in a positive fashion. For instance, Darren Heiber, the Director of Public Services at Free Geek states: “Just from a purely financial perspective, if somebody is looking toward the future, you are limiting your access to the materials that are necessary to create these items in the future” (Heiber). Free Geek Missions and Goals Free Geek’s mission and goal is to recycle technology, provide education, Internet, computers and job skills to those who need them in exchange for community service.  Free Geek uses recycled computer parts to build computers from scratch. The organization accepts this waste since its primary goal is to reuse this material and refurbish it into a new computer which is given to volunteers or sold in their thrift stores. Since it is not always possible to reuse all the materials they get, they end up recycling those parts in a way that is both environmentally and socially friendly. Instead of throwing these toxins and chemical parts into the environment, Free Geek puts them to good use by building computers and donating them to those who are in need. The company also provides free classes to learn the basics as well as complex use of a computer.  They also support students from K-12 by providing them with free computers as long as they provide 24 hours of community service within schools, churches, or community oriented organizations.  This helps alleviate the problems pertaining to E-waste, lack of computer based knowledge and a shortage of computers to students who need them the most. Work and education programs enable the company to address these issues. For instance, volunteers work in programs where they gain skills on how to use, build and understand computers and, in this process, earn a free computer.  Therefore, Free Geek is a volunteer run, non-profit, grassroots organization that is committed to tackling with the digital divide through the provision of computers that are recycled along with the provision of technical assistance and guidance to the community. Furthermore, it responsibly recycles items that are no longer used. Services Offered Free Geek offers an adoption program and a building program which is accessible both online and at the retail store. The adoption group takes in donated computers and other electronics, breaks them down into component parts if necessary, and classifies them as reusable, recyclable, or trash. The components are boxed and then sent to the warehouse for the building program or for recycling/disposal. 25% of the parts are reused whereas the remaining 75% are recycled (Heiber).  After 24 hours of volunteer time in the adoption program, volunteers receive a free computer with pre-installed software called “Ubuntu” and a 2.5-3 hour class covering setup and basic usage of their new computer.  Instructions on installing additional software such as software for viewing and listening to media are also included.  The class is designed to be interactive enough to include people who have never used a computer before.  Also, recipients receive one year of technical support as long as the Ubuntu system is being used. Under the Building Program, volunteers begin with a 2.5-3 hour community-based IT class that introduces topics including: How to identify the basic components of a computer (e.g. motherboards, hard disks and hard disk controllers, video controllers, and power supplies) The current specs for Free Geek machines (e.g. minimum acceptable memory and hard disk size) The proper methods of handling and disposing the previous owner's data (e.g. destruction of hard disks, not starting computers that have not yet been erased, etc.) Volunteer builders then move on to system evaluations where they examine hardware which has been dropped off and determine if there are any salvageable parts suitable for refurbished computers. Volunteers then test computers built by other volunteers, making sure they're ready to go out into the world.  After performing quality control on five machines, they are ready to move into the actual building phase of the program. Free Geek’s Requirements 1. Recycling Outdated Computer Parts Free Geek’s mission is to recycle technology and provide access to computers, the Internet, education, and job skills in exchange for community service. There are many ways being implemented in order to achieve this, the first being recycling obsolete computers and computer components. Once these parts have been contributed, volunteers take them apart separating each material. These materials are sent to local industry recyclers that handle donations in a responsible way. This is a great technique for processing outdated computers, monitors and TVs. To apply this process, outdated technology that simply cannot be used again is needed. This includes computers, monitors, and TV models. Below is a complete list of what Free Geek is able to recycle: ·      Obsolete monitors and terminals ·      Aluminum, motors, wires and cables, printers, optical drives, speakers, and other copper bearing materials ·      Circuit boards and processors ·      Plastic ·      Steel 2. Reusable Computer Parts Another aim of Free Geek is to reuse technology that isn’t currently desirable. Free Geek’s Build Program transforms donated outdated computers and computer parts into working machines that run on the Linux system. Once these computers have been rebuilt they are then gifted to non-profit community change programs, sold in the gift shop, or given to hardworking volunteers. Free Geek can refurbish many types of equipment but mainly these products are typically required for refurbishing: ·      Desktops ·      Macs ·      Motherboards ·      Network devices ·      Optical drives ·      Cards ·      RAM 3. Unusable Materials for Recycling Toxins such as lead, mercury, cadmium, and beryllium are increasingly found it large quantities in computers (Greenpeace International). Because of this there are many components to computers that are simply too destructive to recycle. The best way to tackle this problem is to restore these computers so they can be brought back to the point of usability. The following objects cannot be recycled (Mercedes Martinez): Styrofoam Microwaves Smoke Detectors Alkaline Batteries Larger Appliances Works Cited Greenpeace International. What's in electronic devices? 27 June 2005. Web. 12 May 2013. Heiber. Free Geek 2013. Web. Hooper, K. and T.A. McDonald. "The PBDEs: an emerging environmental challenge and another reason for breast-milk monitoring programs." Environ Health Perspect (2000): 387–392. Print. Martinez, Mercedes. Which Parts of a Computer can be Recycled? 21 May 2010. Web. 12 May 2013. U.S Environmental Protection Agency. "FACT SHEET: MANAGEMENT OF ELECTRONIC WASTE IN THE UNITED STATES." Fact Sheet. 2008. Print. WGBH Educational Foundation. FRONTLINE/World Ghana: Digital Dumping Ground. 23 June 2009. Web. 13 May 2013. Benefits of reuse and recycled computers and components The increase of waste electronic products in modern houses and business has necessitated the reuse of the parts during attempts to improve educational technology. The practice of reusing computers has seen the maximum utilization of the unit components that constitute a computer before the disposal.  The fact that a computer or part of a computer has broken down does not indicate that the equipment or component is useless. Furthermore, the damaged computers and parts of a computer are reused for a number of purposes primarily educational uses. In addition, the parts of a computer are used to refurbish other working computers. These refurbished computers are then donated to low income schools which improves digital literacy among students. The Free Greek Company sells computer parts at a subsidized price which can be bought by computer training schools to ensure that students have practical concepts of all the parts of the computer. Consequently, the cost of running computer schools is reduced as they take advantage of these subsidized prices compared to what the cost would be if new computers or parts would be bought for the same purpose. For example, power adaptor are sold by Free Geek at $10-$25 whereas a new adapter would cost about 60$-$80 (Dickerson 1). Furthermore, low income schools lack the financial capability to impart efficient computer education to the students; hence, they buy parts of refurbished computers or laptops that are joined to build new products that are similar to the branded products, but incorporate parts from various damaged computers. Emerging technology encourages the use of previous parts of a computer or to develop new and more efficient products. Along with the parts, the Free Greek Company ensures that the developers are trained with the existing parts of the products provided at low prices by the company. This ensures that all study materials for the student studying computer developments are provided. The ICT classes depend mainly on the understanding of the computer components. Consequently, quality training of ICCT students is ensured by the reuse of the computer parts. Computer education has been transformed from not only theoretical perspective but also practical perspective ( repurposedPRODUCTS.com.au.) Personal computers are very useful for an individual’s higher education.  Reuse of computer parts improves the capability of individuals (who are previously not capable of acquiring a new computer) to get access to computers and laptops. This is because the refurbished computers are more affordable to almost all the students owing to low purchase price due to the reuse of the computer parts (repurposedPRODUCTS.com.au). Research has shown that the education system is changing towards the incorporation of digital assessment as opposed to the old use of hard copies resulting in an increased need to conduct internet research which is facilitated by computers or laptops. Through easy accessibility to the computers, the student is able advance his/her experiences of computers through adequate access to information. Furthermore, the process of building new products from operating parts of other damaged computers has seen increased number of students pursuing education and careers in ICT. Refurbished computer products have favorably contributed to the economical use of resources. Works cited Dickerson, Dina. Free Greek. Computer Parts and Accessories. 2011. Web. 12 May 2013. repurposedPRODUCTS.com.au. Camera transforming education: How We Reuse Your Computer. n.d. Web. 12 May 2013. repurposedPRODUCTS.com.au. How to Reuse Old Computers or Parts. n.d. Web. 16 May 2013. Sharing Costs Many at times, businesses are limited by financial costs.  Regardless of how motivated or benevolent the idea is, cost often imposes a major limitation on its execution. Whether it’s the cost of transportation or the expenses associated with recycling, the feasibility of business decisions comes down to financial costs.  This severely affects the amount of time and effort that a company is willing to invest. According to Darren Heiber, the Director of Public Services at Free geek, the company works with local firms, some being in the technology business and some being non-tech businesses. The company enjoys a good relationship with suppliers and other parties in the Portland city where it receives majority of the computers. These computers are given to the company on the condition that when it refurbishes them it will hand them back to the Portland residents in one way or another. Components are, therefore, picked up from respective organizations via Free Geek’s own trucks. The cost depends on the quality of material that is received by Free Geek from the respective organizations. Sometimes the company passes on those expenses to those organizations whereas at other times it absorbs those costs owing to the benefits it receives by virtue of its favorable terms with these organizations. Conclusions and Recommendations To conclude, the organization Free Geek offers substantial contribution towards the reuse and recycling of components and products that would otherwise negatively affect the environment when they are disposed of. The company must promote greater awareness by partnering with other NGOs, such as Greenpeace International, along with creating more aggressive marketing campaigns to attract suppliers to contribute computers and other components for reuse. That said; greater support from the local government will go a long way in promoting the cause which will ultimately attract similar firms to step in and indirectly promote computer illiteracy amongst those who cannot afford it through the provision of cheap computer equipment. Appendix Interview with Darren Heiber - Director of Public Services at Free Geek Q - What is Free Geek and how does it promote environmental sustainability and education? A - Free Geek is a Portland based non-profit whose mission is to recycle technology and provide access to computers, the Internet, education, and job skills in exchange for community service. And the way that plays out is people and businesses donate their used electronics including, and especially, computers. We train volunteers how to refurbish and rebuild those electronics so that we then are able to provide those to other non-profits schools, community change organizations, and churches. We are really subscribed to some of the highest standards in terms of environmental concerns. One of our goals over recycling is to reuse. We have been able to reuse, often, over 25% of the computer systems that come into our program. We’re often able to use an even higher percentage of the other electronics that come in. When we have to recycle things we make sure that we work with recyclers who are able to follow the entire process of the materials they recycle. So that we are sure they are not using either non-environmental friendly or unethical methods of recycling or working with other people who are looking at the financial bottom line not the environmental bottom line. That means that most of the recyclers we work with do their recycling within the United States and we’re able to follow the chain of control of those systems, right up until they’re reintroduced back into the manufacturing process again. Q - What is necessary to recycle e-waste and what kind of process do you go through to recycle it? A - We are not actually doing much to engage in recycling itself, so we subscribe to reuse philosophy and so we try to reuse as much as possible. Then when items do need to be recycled we will do the advance processing for those items to make it easier for our recyclers to work with them. That’s the advantage of providing some workplace skills to people who are otherwise not able to handle advanced or ultra complex work place tasks or haven’t had experience working alongside others and in a public environment. They will be involved in taking apart materials so we send them to downstream recyclers that are one less step that they have to take when working with them. Then in regards to the items that are recycled, how hazardous it can be to humans. There are some items that people are able to take apart themselves there are others where it makes much more sense to have machines shred the and take those apart. Some things like CRT monitors that have incredibly hazardous materials where it’s best to take these apart in hermetically sealed robots that are responsible for initial phases of the process until you’re able to release some of the hazardous chemicals. Q - Are there any types of e-waste that you don’t accept, like CRT monitors, before you send them off to third party recyclers? A - Yes that is exactly correct. We don’t do any processing of things that could possibly be hazardous to humans on our premises. Q - But is there anything that you don’t accept? A - There are a few things we don’t accept. We don’t accept Styrofoam, we don’t accept major appliances we just don’t have the facilities to hand large things coming in. We don’t accept smoke detectors because those do have some radioactive material in them and we’re not prepared to handle that. Q - But pretty much all electronics waste you accept? A - Pretty much, I mean excluding microwaves, larger appliances, and alkaline batteries. Generally other than that we try to take as much as we can because we want to make it easy as possible for our community to be ethical, environmental, and responsible with their e-waste.   Q - Do you need for any specific components at this time? A - Absolutely, we have a huge need for laptops. The more consistent laptops can be the be the better they are for us and even computer desktop systems the more consistent and modern they are the better they are for us. Those tend to be easier for reuse, [and are] of value to the people we either sell or give them to. A lot of people don’t realize that we are very happy to accept that we are very happy to accept smartphones, tablets, [and] e-readers. The more of those we receive the better chance we have of developing a program where we can train volunteers to refurbish those items and to make them available again to the community. Q - Do you accept any large donations from any local tech companies? A - We do work with some local companies some are in the tech industry and some are not. We also have an excellent relationship with the city of Portland where we receive pretty much all of their computers on the stipulations that when we refurbish them we return those back to the Portland residents in one fashion or another. We do have a truck we send out for pickups from organizations. Q - So you make transportation very easy for those people then? A - We try to. Yep, we try to make it possible. There are associated costs and depending on the quality material we receive from organizations. There are times we have to pass on those costs to the organizations or there are times where we are able to eat those costs because of the other benefits we get from that relationships with them. Q - What kind of benefits, on a local and global scale, will recycling have? A - There are so many great benefits. Taking part in this is really going to have a long term impact on the price of commodities within these systems. Just from a purely financial perspective, if somebody is looking toward the future, you are limiting your access to the materials that are necessary to create these items in the future. That is one issue. For local organizations to recycle with free geek over some other recycler you know you’re creating jobs in the area, the opportunity for people to learn job skills in technology fields and gain access technology. Through that access to technology they are able to develop skills that are going to make them valuable to those businesses in the workplace when they’re looking to hire people. Not only do we teach people how to refurbish computers, but because we’re able to be self supporting through the people’s donations we are also able to offer 25 unique free courses a month that focus on all sorts of tech skills and computer and internet skills that help people become ready and valuable for the workplace. Also we’re 501c3 non-profit and so lots of companies a return donating those items to us does count as a tax deductible donation. Not just financial donations that help them with their bottom line. A - I don’t know if this is beneficial to you, but through our hardware grants program we have supported Intel workers who have teamed up with local schools or libraries to teach about computer components to teenagers and through our hardware grants program they’ve been able to receive all the materials necessary so they have actual computers to work those youths. If we were receiving systems from Intel their employees would be able to benefit from them as well. A - Another thing that may be helpful for you too is, we care about data security. That’s primary concern even before recycling and reuse. If we’re not able to ensure that we’re securely wiping people’s data then we will not reuse those items. We will ensure that other people cannot access that data. Read More