Mission The
mission of Bureau of Correctional Enterprise’s Computer
Recycling Program serves two purposes:
1)
to keep computers, electronic scrap and
other related items that may contain hazardous materials out
of local landfills and dump-sites
2) re-introduce and provide usable
computers, computer equipment as well as related electronics
to various individuals
and organizations that are not-so-fortunate.
Bureau of Correctional Enterprise’s Computer Recycling Program
receives it’s donations from various organizations, local/ state
municipalities as well as individuals. To further achieve the mission,
Bureau of Correctional
Enterprise (BCE) has provided donation boxes throughout the state of
Wisconsin at various locations. All donations
received are sent to various institutions where offenders test the products
to determine if usable or not. If this type of equipment is not usable,
then it is de-manufactured into smaller recyclable parts, and sold to
various recyclers. If it is usable, then offenders rebuild the computer
systems
as well as other equipment which is then placed back into communities
for various non-profit organizations and less-fortunate citizens for
educational/
rehabilitive purposes. This process keeps the materials out of landfills/
dump-sites thus serving both purposes of the mission- 1) keep these items
out of landfills and dump-sites 2) re-introduce usable equipment to the
community and individuals.
Community Recycling Program and Department of Corrections
Computer Recycling Program offers an opportunity for incarcerated
individuals to learn a trade/ employability skills as well as an
opportunity to give
back to the community. In cooperation with Department of Corrections
Education Department and Bureau of Correctional Enterprise, the program
offers certification
training on computer hardware and software. These trained individuals
will be able to get donated computers up to industry standards and
back into
the community; furthermore, the offender now has a marketable skill
that will assist in successful re-integration back into his/ her
community.
The following correctional facilities are involved with the recycling
program: Taycheedah Correctional Facility (employs approximately
25 female offenders),
Racine Youthful Offender Correctional Facility (employs approximately
40 male offenders) and Red Granite Correctional Institution (employs
approximately 40 male offenders).
All facilities test the equipment and de-manufacture with the exception
of Taycheedah Correctional Institution in which that shop cleans,
tests and rebuilds the computer system for re-use in the community
(please
note: all disk drives used for the refurbished computers are
erased, formatted
and wiped a minimum of two (2) times. This process is accepted
by the Department of Defense (DoD) as approved manner to erase
sensitive data
without fear
of someone being able to recover data later.)
Who Can Donate
The program is here to offer marketable skills/ employment experience
for offenders, keep hazardous materials out of landfills and
allow these items
to be obtained by various non-profit organizations/ less-fortunate
individuals. The program is NOT to be in competition with other
private industries.
In order to assure this, the program has guidelines as to who
may donate. The guidelines are as follows:
Non- profits
Government
agencies
Schools
Households, Private citizens (only through the state donation boxes)
If you do not fit under the above categories, Department
of Natural Resources has a list of recyclers in your area to assure proper
disposal
of equipment.
How to Donate
The program offers several ways to donate:
Donation boxes throughout the state
Private citizens may donate at these locations up to five pieces
per individual with no charge. Example, monitor/ keyboard/
printer/ computer would be considered four items.
Local “Clean
Sweeps”
Local municipalities can arrange these type of events to have a computer/
electronic drop off day or
weekend scheduled. The computer recycling program will provide a
trailer and
supplies
for collecting
equipment.
BCE will
pickup the trailer at a certain
day and time. The only fee charged will be monitor/ TV disposal fee.
Schedule Pickups/ Drop-offs
Non-profit organizations who wish to donate equipment to this program
may do so by completing the PICKUP
QUESTIONNAIRE each time a pickup/ drop-off
is desired.
This form needs
to
be filled
out whether pickup is needed
or dropping off at either our Waupan warehouse or Racine warehouse.
ELECTRONIC
ITEMS ACCEPTED
All cords
Copy Machines
CPU’s
Digital cameras
External Hard, CD or DVD drives
Fax machines
Keyboards and mice
Mainframes
Monitors
Printers
Servers
Routers
Scanners
Switches and Hubs
Telephones
Televisions
Terminals
Other peripherals
ITEMS NOT ACCEPTED
Air Conditioners
Appliances
Bio-Medical equipment
Dehumidifiers
Furniture
Microwaves
Collection Fees
Bureau of Correctional Enterprise’s Computer Recycling Program
currently charges $10
for monitor fee which includes
CRT’s, LCD’s and televisions up to 27” diagonally.
Televisions exceeding 27” diagonally will be charged
$20.00 per unit, due to additional disposal fees
regardless if they are being picked up by computer recycling or being
dropped off by you, the customer. No payment is expected at time
of collection; all fees
will be invoiced at a later date. All disputes of fees can be resolved
by calling the number
associated
with PROBLEM
RESOLUTION
Who
Qualifies to Purchase a Recycled Computer System? The intent of this Prison Industries’ program is to
provide recycled computer systems to organizations, agencies, and individuals
who will
use the computers for training or educational purposes and who may
otherwise may not be able to afford a comparable system.
Qualification
Guidelines for Purchasing a Recycled Computer System:
WHO:
Non-profit
organizations, usually a 501(c) 3, 4, 6, or 7 status,
Educational
and training institutions including public and private schools,
State
and federal agencies, and
Local
governments and municipalities.
Individuals
of all ages are eligible,
The
program has proven to be particularly helpful for individuals with
disabilities
WHY: Recipients must use the equipment for training and/or educational
purposes.
HELPFUL HINTS:
Individuals with disabilities should be registered with an agency
that will acknowledge their disability or have a Social Worker
or Case Worker
advocate on their behalf
Individuals must have a qualifying organization request and purchase
the computer system for them. The qualifying organization may
require you to purchase the computer from them or the qualifying
organization
may donate the equipment to you.
Agencies such as DVR, DHFS, DWD, DHCF, DDDS, etc. may have
the ability to purchase computer systems for their distribution
to
agencies and
individuals for training or educational purposes.
EXAMPLES OF ELIGIBLE CUSTOMERS
Autism Services and the Children’s Waivers
Wisconsin’s early intervention program for infants and toddlers
with developmental delays and disabilities and their families
Developmentally Disabled organizations
Agencies such as homeless shelters
Emergency response agencies that would help train and educate responders
as well as general population
Although
the State of
Wisconsin Bureau of Correctional
Enterprise
funds most of this
program, the
program
still needs funds to cover
costs
of
shipping, rebuilding,
remanufacturing as well as certain
commodities
that
we
pay to dispose
of- such as batteries,
monitor
tubes,
glass, etc. To off set costs,
the
program sells
recyclable items
such
as copper, aluminum, plastic,
steel,
toner
cartridges, circuit boards,
and
the like, to various
vendors;
charge a fee per
computer
system to non-profit
organizations;
and,
selling surplus through the
University
of Wisconsin Surplus
system.
Bureau
of
Correctional Enterprise’s
Computer
Recycling
Program
has been
in existence
for
over
eight
years
and
with
continual
support
from
the community
(whether
giving
donations
and/or
receiving
donations)
and Department
of Corrections,
the program
can continue
to grow.
This
will
offer
an excellent
opportunity
for computers
to continue
their
usefulness
instead
of ending
up
in landfills
and for
offenders
to gain
marketable
work
experience
and skills.
Bureau of
Correctional Enterprise
Computer Recycling Program
Frank Frankowski
510 Industrial Drive
Waupun, WI 53963
Phone: 920.324.6880 docomputerrecycling@wi.gov
