EWA in Detail

To fully understand how powerful and unique this service is, you should know of some important environmental and industry terms...

Many states have regulations that treat all surplus/unwanted technology as a Universal Hazardous Waste. This does not always make clear legal allowances for the donation of technology to a school or non profit without liability and instead forces many to choose more expensive and destructive end-of-life services such as conventional recycling.

In 2005, a Maine based non profit technology access program (The Information Technology Exchange or ITE), realized that these expanding regulations would put its social mission in jeopardy because it depended on donations of technology to help people in its programs overcome cost barriers.

Shortly after this revelation, a philanthropic foundation introduced ITEs' founder to SKILLS' Inc (another Maine non profit). 

SKILLS' at the time was looking for new program ideas that would create gainful, sustainable employment for people with disabilities.  ITE, while very proficient in refurbishing computers and teaching people how to use them, did not have the capacity to build and operate a technology recovery operation. 

Shortly after the two groups were introduced, a natural gravitation formed between them and with significant help from that foundation, began to work together on what is now known as the SKILLS' Inc eWaste Alternatives Program.

The program is currently Maine's only in state DEP licensed and operating electronics de-manufacturing facility, and the only non profit technology reuse program of its kind in the Eastern US.

EWA provides on site material collection services, documentation, materials handling, reuse and recycling services to an environmental and security standard unmatched by any similar service in the USA as well.

Our clients enjoy tremendus savings because unlike conventional recycling services, this service reduces disposal costs by REUSING more than 40% of what it receives - the savings is passed on to the client. In addition, EWA's included documentation, data destruction, pickup and handling services cuts client costs even further.

Reusables and how we use them to make a difference:

Technology recovered by this program are reused in ways that maximize social value first.  Computers are completely reconditioned, rebuilt, reloaded with operating systems and licensing.  They are then made available through special channels at a low cost to people who need an alternative to the mainstream expensive low service quality big box store option for a variety of reasons...

Typical beneficiaries of EWA reusable technology:

Public Community Libraries - use these computers to provide public Internet Access;

The PCs for MAINE project (Low income families who need computers for school or to learn new job skills);

Non Profit Technology Resources - No/Low cost computers, servers, networking, training and professional/volunteer IT consulting that improves social service impact, service quality and sustainability;

Hands on Technical Training - in partnership with Maine's Department of Labor, Vocational Rehabilitation, local high schools and technical schools, learners volunteer and work-study with out staff to test and refurbish technology for use;

PC MEDIX - an ongoing non-profit fundraiser that provides retail services to the general public.  Proceeds generated fund the PCs for MAINE project and reduce participation costs for low income families (click "PC MEDIX" tab above to learn more);

Skills Inc Thrift Stores - operated by people served by Skills Inc, these stores make low cost technology available to the general public.  Proceeds fund thirft operations, EWAs workforce and development (visit www.skillsinc.net).

EWA is designed to handle ALL of your surplus electronic materials - the good, the bad and the ugly.

Every business has surplus electronics and computers.  If your organization is interested in complying with environmental regulations while reducing costs and providing a benefit to the local community - Click "Step 1 - Get Started!" in the right column! 

DEFINITIONS

E-Waste - Electronic Waste: Refers to unwanted or surplus electronic devices; Also referred to as 'Universal Hazardous Waste' by regulatory agencies.  Definitions vary from state to state but largely most electronic devices that are not new in original packaging, are unwanted, in storage (not in use) or considered obsolete or surplus are classified as Universal Electronic Hazardous Wastes and must be managed using practices mandated by state and federal guidelines.*

Generator - Referred to by State and Federal regulatory agencies as commercial entities who accumulate/generate E-Waste in any quantity(see above) are classified as Generators (in Maine specifically - Universal Electronic Waste Generators).  Generators can fall in one of two categories - Large Volume Generators (generators of more than 2000 lbs of surplus electronics per year*) and Small Volume Generators (those who generate less than large generators).  Entities in the large category are required to register the facility where these materials are stored with the E.P.A. and must meet specific materials documentation, reporting and storage requirements.*

The "3 R's" Rule - best practices of solid waste management and environmental stewardship: Stands for "Reduce" consumption, "Reuse" until no longer useful and lastly "Recycle" what cannot be reused - each step to be considered in order to minimize or delay materials entering the waste stream.**

Reduce – First step of the “3 R’s” Rule - reduce consumption, which in turn minimizes the volume of what will eventually become waste.**

Reuse – Second step of the “3 R’s” Rule - reusing materials for as long as is practical.  With regard to electronics -this usually requires an investment of labor and parts for reconditioning and redistribution of goods.  Reuse extends the lifespan of these materials and greatly "Reduces" consumption of new manufactured goods.**

Recycling - Last step of the “3 R’s” Rule - and is supposed to be the last resort when an items' reuse in its original intended purpose is no longer an option.  Recycling processes destroy materials for scrap materials which are sold to processing facilities who in turn add new material to the reclaimed and then sell the material to new product manufacturers.  

Recycler – In the truest sense, this is an organization with facilities that accumulate and de-manufacture materials into their base materials to be sold to processors to use in new goods manufacturing.  Occasionally an out-of-state recycler, might have an in-state consolidation facility (see below).

Consolidator – Often thought of as recyclers (incorrectly), these organizations only collect and transport materials to Recyclers but do not actually process the materials. Data security and materials accountability are a consolidators largest weaknesses and vulnerabilities.

Materials Accountability – One of the largest problems facing the industry, this term refers to the tracking of materials throughout their entire lifespan (from initial manufacture to scrap disposal).  Absolute materials accountability requires “Closed Loop” record keeping and documentation of individual materials from beginning to end.  Requirements for materials accountability vary from state to state as each is allowed to set its own environmental standards.  Many recyclers establish themselves in states with the lowest environmental standards to avoid high environmental standards & licensing requirements.***

*These terms and standards vary from state to state. EWA in its effort to educate makes Maine's D.E.P. Universal Hazardous Waste Handbook available for $3.70 S/H.  This and other state regulatory agency information and helpful resources are available in the FAQs & Links area of this website.

**The "Three R's" rule according to the US E.P.A - visit http://www.epa.gov/epawaste/conserve/rrr/reduce.htm

***Materials Accountability and what happens when there is no accountability according to the US Government Accountability Office (GAO) - visit http://www.gao.gov/new.items/d081166t.pdf