What happens to your OISE computer when you get a new one?

Have you ever wondered what happens to your OISE computer when you return it to Education Commons for a new one? We know that our community cares about the impact of electronic waste on the environment, and so do we. 

As part of our strategic initiative to mobilize Green IT practices and minimize our environmental footprint in support of our sustainability goals, Education Commons works with the OISE community and industry partners to find new uses and purposes for used computers and divert your computer from the landfill through recycling, reusing and re-purposing.

Donations

When an OISE device is returned near the end of its warranty period it may become available for our donation program. Education Commons works with OISE leadership, the Indigenous Education Network, and faculty members to identify members of the OISE student community that are in most need for a working computing device. So far, Education Commons has donated 76 devices this year to OISE students in need, Free for all Foundation, and vulnerable women in Sudan identified by an OISE faculty member and researcher.

Recycling

Electronic waste, also known as e-waste, contains a mixture of valuable materials that can be recycled, and toxic materials such as lead, mercury and cadmium which can be hazardous to our health and to the environment. Since data was first collected in 2014, an estimated total of 420.3 Million Metric Tons of electronic waste has been produced worldwide, with 59 million metric tons in 2022. That’s 178 Empire State Buildings of e-waste this year.

Education Commons began working with Quantum this year to recycle your computer and other electronic assets. Quantum is a fully audited electronics recycling company that uses state-of-the-art reuse and recycling systems to break down old equipment safely, securely, and transparently, into its reusable components and recycled commodities.

Since Education Commons began working with Quantum, we have diverted 852 assets, which is equal to 4187 pounds of waste diverted from landfill through reuse and e-waste recycling. Of the amount diverted, 650 assets were recycled, equal to 2581 pounds of materials, and 202 were reused.

Return your used OISE computer to Education Commons so it can be responsibly recycled or donated.

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If you have questions about Education Commons’ electronic waste recycling or donations programs, contact IT Service Management Coordinator, Daniel Marinos.

Sources

E-waste statistics from https://theroundup.org/global-e-waste-statistics/

Data on diverted assets reported from Quantum.