One of this weeks lectures had to be with donating computers. This topic came from "HW4- Potpourri." I thought this was a very interesting topic and a topic that, for many of us, was interesting to learn more about.
You always think that by donating your computer, you are doing the right thing. Perhaps you are. There are all of these non-profit organzations who are actively seeking people to donate computers, cell phones and other technological equipment for the greater good. I have listed afew below:
- Computers With Causes: http://www.computerswithcauses.org/
- Cell Phones For Soldiers: http://www.cellphonesforsoldiers.com/
- 911 Cell Phone Bank: http://www.911cellphonebank.org/
However, what I found really interesting from the lecture was that people are donating "junk" items, and it is costing these non-profit organiaztions and various donation centers money to properly get rid of them. It's amazing how you think you are doing something for the greater good, but come to find out you may be costing them money in the long run.
It's what the power point presentation called, "charitable donation." And it's a topic I thought was definitely worth mentioning.
I found an article from the New York Times that was intersting about this topic. Regarding Africa, and the amount of donated computers, using the words, "Digital Dump". I think this article speaks for itself, and I think the picture found on the site speaks justice enough.
So what is this article ultimately getting at? Donation centers in the United States are getting so cluttered up with computers they cannot afford to properly recycle, that they are shipping them to third world countries, in hopes they are making a difference.
Instead, these countries are getting bombarded with computers, that the article says, "means that the imported equipment often ends up in landfills, where toxins in the equipment can pollute the groundwater and create unhealthy conditions."
No comments:
Post a Comment