Computers for Charity, based in Cornwall, UK, is a non-profit-making voluntary organisation that recycles computers. These machines are donated by companies who are upgrading, for use in the community and by charities.
Computers for Charity was founded in 1993 by members of voluntary
organisations, who noted that companies regularly threw away old systems after updating their computers.
'Prices range from £20 for a 286 machine
to £500 for a full multimedia Pentium'
To incur minimum cost and provide maximum security for donating firms, Computers for Charity guarantees not to extract data and software that are left on machines, and covers removal charges. They are able to supply new high specification machines (but not
Apple Macs) at low prices to charities and community groups. Prices range from £20 for a 286 machine to £500 for a full multimedia Pentium. Prices are calculated just to cover their costs, with no VAT charged if the machine is going to a charity.
Computers for Charity, 26 Hollabury Rd, Bude, Cornwall EX23 8JA, UK (tel 01288 356045; e-mail: graham.pitt@ukonline.co.uk; web: web.ukonline.co.uk/graham.pitt/cfc).
See also Recycling city computers to charity
Summarised from an item in Greenline magazine (published by Catalyst, PO Box 5, Lostwithiel, Cornwall PL22 OYT, tel 01726 815649; fax 01726 852349; e-mail:greenline@gexpress.gn.apc.org ) and from the web.
Computers for the developing worldFrom an article entitled 'Second life for your old computer' by Stuart Miles in The Times (date unknown).
Computer Resale, a company based in Welwyn Garden City, Hertfordshire, has launched Operation PC with the charity Computer Aid International, setting up 25 drop-off centres around the country where people can leave unwanted computers, whether they are broken or in running order. The charity then distributes them to countries such as Zimbabwe and Ghana. For more information visit their website at www.computerresale.co.uk
Cybercycle, The Print House, 18 Ashwin Street, London E8 3DL (tel 020 7 582 8800; fax 020 7 582 8859; e-mail: 100450.1564@compuserve.com).
In the US
There are a number of US organisations offering to channel computer equipment to the less fortunate. These include:
National Cristina Foundation, Stamford, Conn. e-mail: ncf@cristina.org; web: www.cristina.org.
East West Foundation, Roxbury, Mass., e-mail: ewf@eastwest.org; web: www.eastwest.org.
Computer Recycling Corp., Mountain View, Calif., e-mail: info@crc.org; web: www.crc.org.
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