Redemtech Offers Free Asset Recovery, Recycling of Donated Computers

Redemtech introduces its TakeBack Program.

Redemtech, a Columbus, Ohio-based provider of “Technology Change Management” (TCM) services, has announced that it is offering free asset recovery and recycling services to charitable organizations that receive donated technology from the company’s clients.

 

“The Redemtech TakeBack Program allows corporations to donate unneeded computers and other surplus technology to nonprofits with confidence, knowing that equipment will be responsibly and safely disposed of at end of life,” according to a press release from the company.

 

A corporation’s disposal liability is not transferred completely to the recipient when a company donates technology to nonprofits. With Redemtech’s TakeBack Program, nonprofits that receive donated equipment can contact Redemtech when that equipment has reached end of life to arrange for free pickup of assets, which are then recycled in compliance with the highest environmental standards, according to the company.

 

“Corporations considering donating technology have to ensure they are not exposing themselves to data security breaches or downstream environmental liability through the donation process,” Robert Houghton, president of Redemtech, says. “Redemtech has pioneered certified data destruction to verify data security on donated equipment and now has closed the gap on environmental concerns by providing free asset recovery service to charitable organizations that receive donated technology through Redemtech.”

 

To use the TakeBack Program, the charitable organizations must be located in Redemtech’s service area, Houghton says, which includes the United States, Canada and countries within Europe, the Middle East and Asia.

 

When it comes to the cost of the program to Redemtech, Houghton says, “Honestly, it was something we didn’t consider,” as the program is driven largely by the company’s corporate mission, not by economics. The primary cost to Redemtech will come in the form of logistics services, which Houghton says will be fairly variable, making them difficult to estimate.

 

Wyeth, a pharmaceutical and health care products company, is the first Redemtech client to use the TakeBack Program with its donation of more than 2,000 laptop computers to YouthBuild Philadelphia Charter School, an affiliate of YouthBuild USA, which directs a network of more than 220 programs designed for low-income youth.

 

Diana Blankman, Wyeth director of corporate contributions and community outreach, says, “Working in partnership with Redemtech, we hope that this donation will provide YouthBuild and its students with a broader range of tools, adding to the outstanding support and opportunities that this organization currently provides to out-of-school youth in Philadelphia."

 

The free recycling service covers technology systems meeting minimum requirements donated by Redemtech clients to a 501(c) (3) organization or educational institution either directly or through the Recycled Computer Initiative (RCI).

 

RCI is a joint venture between Redemtech and TechSoup.org that was launched in September 2006 and is designed to increase nonprofits’ access to technology. As a Microsoft Authorized Refurbisher (MAR), Redemtech can install Windows® 98 Second Edition, Windows 2000 and Microsoft® Works 7.0 for a $5 administrative fee on computers being donated by corporate entities to eligible recipients.

 

Donated computers are issued a unique tracking number and labeled with Redemtech’s contact information. When the nonprofit is ready to replace the donated equipment, it may contact Redemtech to arrange for free pickup and recycling.

 

Redemtech says it has a strict zero-export, zero-landfill recycling policy designed to keep hazardous wastes out of landfills. The company also encourages clients to reuse, rather than replace, technology systems where possible to further reduce waste and increase the return on investment in IT assets.

 

“Nonprofits are experiencing a technology gap, and we want to help bridge that gap,” Houghton says. “But we also understand that many nonprofits will not have processes in place to deal with technology at end of life. We want to make it easy and safe for these organizations to dispose of the technology they receive from our corporate clients.”

 

Redemtech is a wholly owned subsidiary of Micro Electronics, one of the largest privately held technology companies in the United States. More information on the company is available at www.redemtech.com.