[freegeek-startup] question on recyclers - first roadblock

Wed Aug 23 03:11:27 PDT 2006

Thank John...And we are working on collecting proper state data that I am sure that many residents are not aware of, especially the new law coming next year in Jan. about CRT's. Once the flyer is done, we would be happy to share as an example for others.

One other idea that we are looking into is offering on-site training (our site once up and running, or theirs) that can be a revenue generator. I am already going to be doing this at the public library, and may even be able to generate some revenue from them (another non-profit).

Thanks again for all the feedback and encouragement.

Here's to the triumph of FG's everywhere!!! :o)

Shawn

Billings John <jgbillings at gmail.com> wrote: Even if we do not do business with this company, we will find a way to be triumphiant and help set the standards of not only good and proper ewaste management in the state of TN, but also have a great  time spreading the gospel of technology. If we get community involvement, maybe recycling will help pay the bills, but may not be the only source of revenue.

Your correct, don't count on recycling as your only source of revenue, I know FGP is very good about asking for a suggested donation for every item that is donated.   I suggested to FREE GEEK Michiana recently that if they are having trouble covering recycling fees, that you make that suggested donation a mandatory donation.  Sure you will get less equipment, but I think you will still get enough.  People are more willing to pay for electronics recycling these days, especially if they are aware of the issues surrounding ewaste.  Might be a good idea for little FREE GEEKs to have an awarness initiative, and make sure you have brochures or flyers that explain these issues.  Anyway just a thought.   

In South Bend they are seriously thinking about other revenue streams, it's apparent that recycling is not going to be a major one.  One idea is to take sort of a staffing agency model, help volunteers find work and charge a fee to the hiring company, similar to a staffing agency.  Another idea is offering wireless Internet service, although that can be tricky, and of course selling surplus equipment is always a good revenue getter.      

Just creating a situation where people can volunteer, learn and work together is a good thing, the whole point for me, next to not wasting perfectly good neat gizmos.  

Geekishly,
John 

 matteo <  matteo at freegeek.org> wrote: On Tue, Aug 22, 2006 at 11:11:18AM -0700, Shawn Campbell said:
> Have any of the other FG's dealt with a contractor / "recycler" known as 5r processors Ltd.? They have two of them here in TN and that was one of the contractors that we were planning to work with and still may.  
> 
> Here is part of the problem...
> 
> When I was talking to one of the purchasing agents about what we are trying to do and why, we were on the same common ground. Then she said it sounds like we might be a competitor, and I explained to her that not only were we trying to keep ewaste out of the landfills, but to also reuse the technology. She was fine with that, and then went on to say that she serves on the  TN board of solid waste, and that they were going to put 5 containers in our county for ewaste once some new laws go into effect next year. 
> I said great, but what are you going to do with all that equipment? 
  > 
> She said that they are an end of life processor and their goal is to keep it out of the landfill. I asked, what about the still good functioning equipment though?

Its true that alot of the equipment is probabley still functioning. It's 
also true that what is practical for reuse is a moving target. We (here
in portland) are often upping the specks on what we give away to
volunteers based on the amount of systems that we are recieving. 

 > They really did seem to care about that, just as long as they were keeping the environment clean and get paid. 

My Question are they breaking down the materials or do they send there
products to places like china. (there websight may say this but im not
sure.) 

>  I guess some people just don't get it...

I beleave that even thow we do all this great recycling work, the most
inportant thing we do is get people comfortable with computers. 

> I hope that we can still find a way to do business with them as they will buy our plastics, wire, processors, circuit boards, etc. and hopefully still leave us an avenue to even run a business. I mean there is enough room for us both, now it is just time to hunker down and show the public why they need to recycle their equipment with us. 
> 
> (end venting) and the update...

It's great to be getting all the questions, and updates.

Matteo

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