The Colorado Materials Exchange, or COMEx, will kick off a statewide series of workshops on Wednesday, July 10, from 10 a.m. to noon at Pueblo Community College in the Fortune Ballroom.
Operated by the University of Colorado at Boulder, COMEx posts an online bulletin board for exchanging computers and electronics between businesses that have a surplus of equipment and community groups in Colorado that can use it.
In the first workshop, Pueblo businesses and institutions will learn how to make the most of their old computers and electronics by providing them to community groups in their area or in other areas throughout Colorado.
"By donating working equipment that still has practical applications, participating companies and organizations help to bridge the 'digital divide' by providing community groups with technology they would not be able to afford otherwise," said Jack DeBell, director of COMEx.
COMEx was created in July 2000 to combat the growing computer waste problem, according to DeBell, who also is director of CU Recycling. It is estimated that 333,000 computers in Colorado become obsolete each year, while 315 million computers worldwide will become obsolete by 2004, he said. By reusing computers and keeping them out of the waste stream, those who participate in the program also will keep toxic metals such as lead, cadmium and mercury from going to a landfill or incinerator.
In addition to being a community service, donating usable equipment may be tax deductible and will help businesses and institutions comply with state laws for disposal of electronic equipment, according to DeBell. Colorado is among a growing number of states that are regulating the disposal of electronic waste.
COMEx program coordinators will visit cities and towns throughout Colorado over the summer. The schedule of visits will be posted on the COMEx Web site when it is complete.
The Pueblo workshop is co-sponsored by the Colorado Small Business Development Center. COMEx is sponsored by CU-Boulder with funding from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.
A full-time Volunteers in Service to America, or VISTA, volunteer has been assigned to the project. VISTA is a national service program that places volunteers in community-based agencies across the nation.Ìý
For more information on reuse, recycling and state regulations regarding computers, or to learn about the schedule of workshops, call (303) 492-4330, send an e-mail to compex@stripe.colorado.edu or visit the Web site at .