One person’s trash is another person’s treasure

[img_inline align=”right” src=”http://padnws01.mcmaster.ca/images/IT-day-photos-printer.jpg” caption=”Used IT equipment was collected, reused and recycled at McMaster’s first IT equipment collection day, held April 30 as part of University Earth Day activities. File photo.”]Printers, laptops, keyboards and hard drives were just some of the many pieces of IT equipment reused or recycled by the more than 200 people who took part in McMaster's collection of outdated technological equipment, held on April 30 in front of the Burke Science Building.

Initiated as part of the University's Earth Day activities, by all accounts the equipment collection was a great success.

“I saved more than $200 on my research budget,” said one student, happy to find free, usable computer equipment. “I would have had to purchase all of these parts from retail.”

The collection did more than just save money, however, as a number of computers were also donated to local charities, benefiting children in the community.

Approximately 65 computer monitors were brought to the collection site, with about half taken for re-use, along with eight laptops, all of which found new owners. Other pieces of equipment included RAM, disk burners, computer mice, printers and power cords.

“The event was so successful because of the hard work done by a number of departments,” said Kate Whalen, manager of University sustainability. “Facility Services handled the collection of equipment from campus offices, provided the tent and tables and moved everything to the event site, and UTS provided hard drive sanitation, free of charge, and useful information prior to and during the event.”

Whalen hopes to make the IT equipment collection day an annual event, coinciding with Earth Day.

For more information on the event contact Kate Whalen at 905-525-9140, ext. 21575 or at whalenk@mcmaster.ca.