Recycling Technology

The GCF Community Foundation®, through its computer-recycling program, has enabled numerous community service organizations and educational establishments to pursue their automation projects using computers donated by the Foundation. With these donations, the Angier County Head Start program can now offer computer time to its preschoolers and their parents; more freshmen can get computer time in college at North Carolina Central University; high school students can learn to build and repair both servers and computers; a community arts center can keep better records and box office information. There is a long list of the recipients who are enjoying the over 1600 computers donated since 1999.

All of the computers that were distributed by the GCF Community Foundation®, without any cost to the recipients, were donated by companies that had upgraded their computer capabilities and needed a suitable method of disposing of their old computers. There are many reasons a company should consider donating used computers to the GCF Community Foundation®. Some of the most compelling are:

These computers employ older technology. Out-of-date computers are quickly becoming the bane of the cutting-edge corporation's life. Computer technology is developing so fast that a computer can be outdated in less than a year. For many businesses, this can be a serious problem. The Research Triangle area of North Carolina is a high-technological area, which means that the competitive businesses located here must constantly update their technology and face the problem of what to do with their older equipment.

Disposal of computers and components is becoming more difficult as states enforce regulations on landfills and hazardous waste. Computer components contain metals and elements that are harmful to the environment and putting them in landfills is clearly not the best solution. Many companies find that disposal is not even an option.

Companies now are finding themselves forced to pay warehousing costs for computers they can't use. This is both expensive and completely non-productive. In fact, experts estimate that most corporations store old computer equipment for up to three years at a cost of about $360 per machine, and then pay an additional $218 for its disposal. (Info World magazine, April 10, 2000.)

The GCF Community Foundation® offers a solution to some of these costly problems. Our Recycling Technology program can be the perfect way to get more use out of slightly outdated computers. We accept older computers (Pentium models and above IN GOOD WORKING CONDITION) and redistribute them to community service organizations. The computers are then used to provide services to people in the community who may not ever have had access to the technology. Some of the recipients of our computers are highlighted in the brochure that can be accessed by the link at the top of this screen. Recipients include the Durham Literacy Council, Envisionary Technology, Virtual Buddies (an on-line communication group for people who are housebound) and many others.

The benefits of using computers in this manner are endless. First, there is the huge benefit to the community. Second, there is a massive cost savings to the company with excess computers. And third, there is a tax break for the company that donates the computers. Adding all these components together, there are only winners in the GCF Community Foundation™ program.

The GCF Community Foundation® would like to thank Glaxo Smith Kline for its initial contribution of 55 computer systems to start the Recycling Technology program. This strong start was invaluable to the success of the program. GSK has generously continued to suppport this program.

A special thank you goes out to Central Carolina Bank (CCB), which has, to date, donated more than 1,500 computer systems. These computers are an incredible resource in the effort to address the Digital Divide and enable people with disabilities and disadvantaging conditions to increase their technological experiences.