Project Description
Kern County used their grant funds to establish an electronics reuse
program for commercial businesses and residents in Kern County.
Businesses and residents participate by donating dated electronics to the
local, nonprofit thrift store network, including Goodwill and the Salvation
Army. Collected electronic waste is transported to and processed by
the Bakersfield Association of Retarded Citizens (BARC). Material that is in
good working order, refurbishable, or marketable is managed by BARC
technical staff and eventually sold or donated through the thrift store
network. Unmarketable material is demanufactured by BARC staff
with component parts used for the refurbishing program or responsibly
recycled.
The steps required to accomplish their project are as follows:
Task 1: Pay Consultant to Provide Expertise in Setting up the Electronics
Area, Work with Nonprofits on Documentation, Transportation, Packaging, and
Program Procedures, Market Development, Program Development, and Public
Relations/Advertising.
BARC's consultant has been working with BARC to establish all aspects of the
e-waste refurbishing program, including but not limited to: 1) developing
operational facilities and procedures, 2) hiring personnel, 3) spearheading an
electronics materials collection event, 4) training, 5) establishing contracts,
6) establishing a retail marketing channel for refurbished items at Goodwill
Industries, and 7) marketing the program. Task 1 is ongoing and is 70 percent complete.
Task 2: BARC Staff Time in Converting a Wood Shop to an Electronics
Refurbishing Area.
BARC staff has completed the conversion of a portion of the woodshop into an
e-waste disassembly and sorting area and a computer refurbishing shop. Equipment
and inventory previously in the disassembly area was removed, the room was
cleaned and painted. Compressed air lines were installed to power the tools. A
storage room was converted into a computer refurbishing shop. Equipment and
inventory previously in the room was removed, the room was cleaned and
painted. A small air conditioner and a rollup door were installed. Workbenches,
storage shelves, and tools purchased under Task 8 were also installed in the
computer workshop. Task 2 is 100 percent complete.
Task 2.1: Pay Manager for Supervising and Directing Staff in Converting
Wood Shop to an Electronics Refurbishing Area.
Task 3: Pay Consultant Specializing in Computer Refurbishing to Train
Technician, add Market Expertise, and Enhance Program.
Due to the high qualifications and experience level of the Computer
Technician required, BARC has been unable to recruit at this time, thus this
task has been placed on hold. It may not be necessary to hire a consultant
for this task. It may be possible to complete this task in-house and
redirect this funding to another task.
Certified technicians have started work that have proven to be adequate
at this time. Task 3 has not yet been started.
Task 4: Pay Facility Costs (2,000 Square Feet, Utilities, and Insurance)
Facility costs from April 1, 2003 through July 2003 were $3,200 (matching
funds). Task 4 is 36 percent complete.
Task 5: Purchase Supplies Including Software, Memory Chips, Modem
Upgrades, and Other Supplies that are Needed to Standardize and/or Improve
Machines.
Supplies purchased thus far has been software specifically Windows
operating systems. Much of the hardware including modems and video cards
have been salvaged from the supply of received machines. Task 5 is 36 percent complete.
Task 6: Pay Technician.
BARC hired a Computer Technician in early April 2003. This technician was
been dismissed and replaced by a new technician in August 2003. The replacement
is working well and BARC expects the program to operate more consistently. Task 6 is 15 percent complete.
Task 7: Inventory, Store, Prepare, and Package Computers Targeted for
Resale or Donation.
Workers in the disassembly area have been sorting whole units into streams
that will be: 1) disassembled and recycled for scrap, 2) disassembled to
scavenge usable components, and 3) those units that will be refurbished. Units
waiting to be refurbished and reusable components are stored in both the
disassembly area and in the computer refurbishing shop. Task 7 is 36 percent complete.
Task 7.1: Documentation and Packaging Supplies, Including Office
Supplies, Foam, Cardboard, and Plastic.
Task 8: Purchase Materials and Tools for the Electronics Refurbishing
Workstation.
Task 8.1: Purchase Cable Testers.
For the time being, this has been placed on hold. BARC has developed
procedures that may make a cable tester unnecessary. Task 8.1 has not yet been started.
Task 8.2: Purchase Digital Multimeter.
A multi-meter has been purchased. Task 8.2 is 100 percent complete.
Task 8.3: Purchase Tool Kit.
A tool kit has been purchased. Task 8.3 is 100 percent complete.
Task 8.4: Purchase Heavy Duty Shelf Trucks.
Shelf trucks have been purchased. Task 8.4 is 100 percent complete.
Task 8.5: Purchase Shop Vacuum.
A shop vacuum has been purchased. Task 8.5 is 100 percent complete.
Task 8.6: Purchase Swivel Seat Stools.
Stools have been purchased. Task 8.6 is 100 percent complete.
Task 8.7: Air Hose Reel.
It was determined that air hose reels (complete with air hoses) would not
be needed. Instead, BARC purchased air hoses without the reels. This also
saved installation costs and allowed for a shorter run of fixed air lines. Task 8.7 is 100 percent complete.
Task 8.8: Purchase Electronic Work Station.
A work station for the computer refurbishing shop has been purchased and
installed. Task 8.8 is 100 percent complete.
Task 8.9: Purchase Air Tools.
Air tools have been purchased. Task 8.9 is 100 percent complete.
Task 8.10: Purchase Bin Cabinets.
A large bin cabinet has been purchased and installed. Task 8.10 is 100 percent complete
Task 8.11: Purchase Miscellaneous Supplies.
Miscellaneous supplies have been purchased and additional items may be
required in the future. Task 8.11 is 70 percent complete.
Task 9: Collect Information and Write Progress Reports.
Task 9 is 100 percent complete.
Task 9.1: Collect Information and Write Progress Reports.
Task 9.1 is 100 percent complete.
Task 9.2: Collect Information and Write Progress Reports.
Task 9.2 has not yet been started.
Task 9.3: Collect Information and Write Progress Reports.
Task 9.3 has not yet been started.
Accomplishments:
Two dozen complete computer systems have been refurbished through the
program and sold at prices ranging from $100 to $150 per machine by Goodwill
through their thrift stores. Machines are standardized according to
performance and monitor size and BARC is offering a 30 day money back
guarantee on all machines sold.
BARC and Goodwill are also developing a advertising campaign to "brand"
their machines. The great success thus far is not the number of machines
processed but the percentage of those sold by Goodwill. Ninety-six percent
of the machines refurbished have been sold. There is a market for
refurbished machines and our task will be to increase the product flow.
The commercial sector is increasing its participation in the program. Typically machines from commercial business are of higher value and some
exclusive supplies have been secured by BARC.
Goodwill National is highlighting this program to possibly "franchise"
the program to Goodwill stores in other states.
Problems Encountered:
Finding the right personnel for the program has been the most difficult
task to accomplish thus far. The original manager and computer technician
have been replaced due to unsatisfactory performance. A new cross functional
team has been formed to add program efficiencies and increase production.
Expectations for the Final Progress Period:
They expect a dramatic increase in production due to a stockpile of
available machines and a new productive crew. The target is to standardize
and ship at least three machines per day. They expect the program to
continue to operate after funding has stopped. Revenues from commercial
business and sales are projected to keep the program viable. In addition to
processing computers, BARC will be expanding to handle other electronic
waste such as computer peripherals in anticipation of new requirements in
handling electronic waste per the Universal Waste Rules and SB 20 passage.
On September 19, 2003, the lead at the BARC Electronics Reuse Program and
Anthony Bonanno will present the reuse program to the Central California
Chapter of SWANA.
*Permission was obtained from grant recipient to publish project profile.
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