Craig,
Craig it's not clear to me what you are asking. Are asking is this done, or who is doing it?
The answer comes in multiple flavors, you see.
- There are nonprofit "computer recycling" organizations. They take donated equipment and recycle it, sending refurbished equipment out to charitable organizations or, many times, overseas.
- There are nonprofits that receive computer equipment directly from for profits organizations that are doing a refresh
- There are even nonprofit organizations that, in turn, donate their used equipment to other nonprofits (us for example, as well as a number of other foundations.) This is done, however, slightly informally and usually to a "techie-type" nonprofit that understands the really meaning of "free" (as in kittens - not beer).
The problems are many, by the way.
The cost of prep - wiping the drives, shipping, etc - usually tend to outweigh the value of the equipment. When we do it, we eat the (not insubstantial) costs. But, for us, the whole thing is a charitable exercise.
Then there are the philosophical debates about the real value of shipping what could be thought of as "garbage" or at least well used, equipment off to the third-world or the third sector.
Finally, there are the environmental impacts.
Here are some possible leads for you, if you are actually looking for such "recycling" entities. These two I know of; there are other, regional entities. One in Philly but the name slips my mind right now.
http://www.cristina.org/
Web blurb: Welcome to the Cristina Foundation!
Linking Life to its Promise. The National Cristina Foundation is a not-for-profit foundation dedicated to the support of training through donated technology. For more than two decades we have encouraged companies and individuals to donate computers and other technology, which is then matched to charities, schools and public agencies in all 50 states, Canada, and in many countries around the world.
http://www.pcsforschools.org/
Web blurb:
Computer for Schools offers certified refurbished computers to schools and non-profits at about 1/3 of the cost of new. Our Goal: To bridge the digital divide, the economic gap that prohibits access to technology. The Solution: Retired computer equipment are refurbished for educational use and placed in schools. In some states, non-profit organizations are also eligible for equipment.
Regards
Gavin
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>>Does anyone know of nonprofits anywhere in the country that have partnered with for-profit companies to collect and/or distribute computers donated from said for-profit company? For example, all PC's that are being replaced from ABC for-profit after their 3-5 year life-cycle are wiped clean and then donated to XYZ nonprofit?>>
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