Grand Rapids, MI – Comprenew, a certified nonprofit electronics recycler, is part of a new e-Stewards initiative to address digital inequities in low-income communities. The Digital Equity Program incentivizes large corporate partners to donate working or repairable electronics to e-Stewards certified facilities. The devices are then refurbished and distributed at discounted rates to people in need. The e-Stewards program was launched this month and Comprenew is proud to be a founding partner organization.
Established by the Basel Action Network (BAN) in 2009, e-Stewards is an electronic waste recycling standard inspired by the 1989 United Nations Basel Convention banning the exportation of electronic waste to developing countries. Comprenew was first certified to the e-Stewards standard in 2013 and has been ever since. Comprenew is the only nonprofit in the world, and the only electronics recycler headquartered in Michigan, certified to both e-Stewards and R2 standards.
Comprenew has a long history of bridging the digital divide with programs like Comprenew Connect. Comprenew Connect is a basic computer literacy class for low-income persons. It is free to participants and builds confidence and technical skills. Participants who complete the training receive a voucher to purchase a fully-loaded, warrantied, refurbished computer from a Comprenew store for a significantly discounted rate.
About Comprenew:
Comprenew is a nonprofit organization under section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code. Our mission is to protect people, businesses and the environment from the threat of improperly disposed electronic devices through best practice technology management, asset recovery and recycling services, while fostering job readiness and computer literacy among at-risk populations in our community. Comprenew has 18 recycling drop-off locations throughout Michigan, including 3 retail stores that help fund Comprenew’s mission.
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