Recycle computers by giving them to senior citizens

Wednesday, August 31, 2005

For many people, home computers are must-have items -- no different than stoves, refrigerators, microwave ovens and VCRs or DVD players.

The thought of going without a PC or an Apple -- maybe both -- would be laughable to most members of the computer generation.

Then there are those people, usually older folks, for whom computers remain the stuff of science fiction. Or at least the stuff of fantasy when it comes to their chances of getting one.

An innovative program in Somerset County seeks to narrow the divide that separates senior citizens from computers, the Internet and e-mail.

Spearheaded by Rick Bonneau, deputy chief of the Skowhegan Police Department, the initiative asks businesses to recycle their older computers by giving them to senior citizens for whom such technology is unaffordable.

This is an excellent way of reducing the amount of electronic waste, or e-waste, which has become the fastest-growing category of trash in Maine and across the country.

Old computers, televisions, appliances and other electronic devices have become dangerous sources of toxins that lead to ground, air and water pollution. There are obvious benefits if older computers and printers can be passed along for others to use rather than be tossed out.

Sappi Fine Paper Co., Redington-Fairview General Hospital and Skowhegan Savings Bank are already on board with Bonneau's idea, and other businesses -- and perhaps municipalities and schools -- are expected to join the effort to bring older residents into the information age.

It is a terrific program that other people, businesses and organizations should be implementing in their own communities.

As a volunteer for Senior Spectrum, which provides programs and services for senior citizens across central Maine, Bonneau said he was surprised to learn that many older residents cannot afford computers and, therefore, are denied the benefits provided by the Web and e-mail.

This inspired Bonneau to create a program that would help older Mainers get wired.

He pitched his idea to businesses, many of which are left with older computers when they upgrade their technology, and they got behind the idea right away.

Sappi has already begun delivering hard drives, which store data in the computer, to the Skowhegan Police Station. The drives will be used to upgrade computers.

Each senior citizen who is interested in acquiring one of the older computers might have to provide his or her own monitor, keyboard and mouse, if the equipment is not furnished by businesses that donate computers.

Anyone who has old, unused computers or computer parts sitting around might think about donating them to the program to make it even easier for seniors to get up and running technologically.

Or you might help start in your community a program like what Bonneau has created in Somerset County.

While many of us take computers and all they offer for granted, many older Mainers have little or no idea what they are missing. And even if they do, many cannot afford the cost of getting there.

As Bonneau said: "Computers could help with loneliness. Seniors could converse with family members out of the area, chat with relatives out of state. They could check the weather or play solitaire or (other) games. It could pass the time away."

What better reasons could anyone need to recycle computers that still have plenty of life in them.