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VOLUNTEER How to Volunteer Cómo Voluntario Adopt a Computer Build Computers DONATE What We Take How We Recycle Donate Money PROGRAMS Thrift Store Hardware Grants Internet Access ABOUT US Overview News/Events Media Coverage Contact Us Directions LINKS Recycling Free Software Friends Family |
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Washington E-Waste MeetingFOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: contact "ali AT freegeek DOT org" Cleaning up dirty metals and murky laws, Free Geek seeks to learn and share at Washington e-waste meeting.The Oregon legislature will soon begin work on newly adopted e-waste laws that will decide how the state will deal with this growing issue. The Portland non-profit, Free Geek supports regulation of electronic waste disposal, emphasizing reuse and accountability. Free Geek Volunteer Coordinator, Alison Briggs is traveling to Bellevue to listen in on Washington's e-waste legislation development scheduled Thursday August 23rd, 2007. This is the 2nd of two phases that will decide how Electronic Product Recycling Program will work. "What is at stake is our business of helping people," said volunteer Rev. Phil Sano. "For example, in California they passed laws making it illegal for volunteers to handle monitors. That was done to help guarantee their safety, but what it also means is that similar organizations must use their limited staff to deal with monitors." Specifically Free Geek is going up to learn the process and to encourage transparency in recycling. Liane Kocka, Free Geek's Recycling Coordinator says, "E-waste is our nation's third largest export. That is astounding. We can't just export this problem away. People who care about dumping toxic materials want to know that their children won't be drinking computer-flavored water." Also important is prioritizing reuse over recycling. "It is so easy to just look at all the tons of unwanted technology and just see trash," said Alison Briggs. "We are able to reuse about a third of the computers donated to us. Moreover, for every savvy computer user there is someone else on the other side of the digital divide that knows almost nothing about computers. These people want to learn, but they aren't going to pay two thousand dollars for a new system. Free Geek as a model has been replicated in many other locations around the world. But it started right here in Portland. I hope the Northwest sees the value in what we have created."
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