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Westpac joins eco-friendly computer scheme
1 Jan 2009
A new partnership between Computer Access New Zealand Trust (CANZ) and Westpac has produced an ecologically friendly solution for disposal of the company’s old computers.
Westpac is now donating its unwanted computer equipment to CANZ, a group that recycles PCs for use in the community by schools and other not-for-profit organisations at a significantly lower cost than new machines.
BTSS Procurement Contract Manager Annette Cullen believes the scheme is a valuable one for both Westpac and the community.
“Donating computer equipment to CANZ helps keep old PCs out of landfills and makes it possible for community organisations to have access to technology they otherwise couldn’t afford.
“The scheme also helps Westpac demonstrate that it is an environmentally and socially responsible organisation,” she says.
The decision to give the computers to CANZ came about last year when Westpac received a letter from the Ministry of Education encouraging large corporations to be environmentally friendly by supporting CANZ.
“At about that time a lot of people were coming to us direct asking for our old equipment. Unfortunately donating direct would have caused all sorts of administration issues, as well as issues to do with security and lack of back-up if anything went wrong with the computers,” Annette says.
The scheme was discussed with IT department staff, who were keen to support it.
As a result, Westpac donated its first batch of computers to CANZ in October 2002, once security issues had been addressed.
“One concern that companies may have is that of branding and identification on their computer discs. CANZ assured us that all this information could be removed and would be wiped before the computers were recycled.”
“This is a great initiative - it would be fantastic for other New Zealand companies to get involved and donate any surplus equipment they might have.”
CANZ Trust Chairperson Laurence Swimpfer says donations from corporations are extremely valuable to schools.
The ultimate aim of CANZ is to give all New Zealand children an equal opportunity to gain skills with hands-on technology, he explains.
“The scheme enables schools to buy computers for as little as $200 each, a huge saving for cash-strapped schools.”
CANZ was set up in early 1999 as an initiative of the 2020 Communications Trust, supported by the Ministry of Education. The recycled computers run modern fully licensed software, access the Internet and connect to local area networks (LANs).
To date Westpac has donated over 3,500 monitors, 1,000 PCs and 1,000 laptops to CANZ.
“The equipment Westpac has donated has provided schools with a great boost,” Laurence says.
More information is available on CANZ web site
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