Reuse and Recycling of computers through overseas export markets will be studied by non-profit groups involved in Digital Divide, Recycling, and Mining standards.

Middlebury, Vermont (PRWEB) October 17, 2005 -- Facing confused questions by donors about the export of used electronics for reuse, repair and recycling, several non-profit organizations are working together to promote "Fair Trade" standards for computer exports. The effort will include World Computer Exchange (Hull, MA), World Reuse Repair and Recycling Assoc. (Middlebury, VT), and representatives of Earthworks, which already has organized discussions about Fair Trade standards for gold mining.

Robin Ingenthron, president of WR3A, also manages Vermont's Good Point Recycling recovery operation. "One donor of a Pentium III computer, nicer than mine on my desk, insisted that we completely destroy it," he explained. "They are overwhelmed with guilt that it might be recycled improperly overseas. But then another donor refuses to pay a recycling fee, stating that his Apple Macintosh worked as well as the day he bought it in 1992, saying we should donate it to a school or something."

Timothy Anderson, founder of World Computer Exchange, proposed the idea of a "Fair Trade" summit, after answering survey questions from an anti-exporting group.

QUOTE:

Ingenthron was already participating on a Fair Trade Mining discussion, organized by Earthworks of Washington, DC. WR3A has been proposing that gold extracted from recycling should share the highest approval, along with the clean and fair trade mining standards Earthworks is trying to promote. They have invited Earthworks to join the discussion.

Other governmental, international, and established Fair Trade standard authors (like those accepted for coffee) will be invited to join the listserve.