[FreeGeek] Technotrash and CRS

[Alec Smecher]

Hi all,

I will lurk no longer --

One of part of Technotrash's mandate that I'm not sure is a good thing 
-- shipping old computers to Africa. It's a warm fuzzy idea but I'm not 
sure if it's justifiable. Countries like Ghana have enough trouble 
keeping the lights lit, never mind powering and maintaining mismatched 
and end-of-lifespan hardware. Also, when I was there, I saw a lot of new 
branded equipment e.g. Dell computer labs. Recycling aside, this 
probably makes more sense for their situation. If we're talking about 
aid, I have a suspicion that Technotrash's shipping costs might be 
better put to some other use, but I'd love to be corrected on that point.

Plus, once the hardware is in Africa, the possibility of clean disposal 
pretty much goes out the window.

Anyone know more about this than me? I wonder, in a year's time, where 
these computers end up, and how many saw their intended use.

Alec

Steve Kisby wrote:
> Hi All,
>
> Technotrash had a well stocked and busy booth at the Sustainable Living Expo (http://www.epicvancouver.com) this weekend at the Vancouver Convention & Exhibition Centre.
>
> I'm not sure if this is new to anyone or not, but as part of Technotrash's booth was a big "Computer Recycling Society -- A Non-Profit Society dedicated to promoting Computer Literacy" sign and they were handing out CRS brochures. CRS (a society) is apparently an "arms length organization" from Technotrash Recycling (a company) with Rober Hazel (who was at the booth) as booth a principle in Technotrash and a director of CRS.
>
> Websites:
> http://www.technotrashrecycling.com
> http://www.computerrecyclingsociety.org
>
> Steve
>
> At 14:11 04/02/07 -0800, Terry Lowe wrote:
>   
>> (Hope I got everyone's name right...)
>>
>> Free Geek General Meeting 4.0
>> Feb 3, 2007, 1 - 3 PM
>> Spartacus Books
>>     
> <snip>
>
>   
>> 1) Initial meeting with Techno Trash in Port Coquitlam. FG delegation was 
>> well-received, and Techno Trash is interested in having FG as an additional 
>> revenue source, and as a drop-off point for items destined to Techno Trash. 
>> FG, in turn, was impressed with Techno Trash's methods and motivations. 
>> Future meeting TBA.
>>     
> <snip>
>
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