Talk:E-Waste

Links

I'd suggest putting links to the Chicago city e-waste dropoff schedule in here, as well as possibly other groups that take/recycle e-waste if there are any. Possibly FreeGeek Chicago? I don't want to flood them with crap either. --Knit Me A Pony (talk) 12:19, 30 January 2014 (CST)

We can get money for nearly all the metal, batteries, ballasts, and electronics in limbo, rather than simply giving it to the city so it can do the same thing.

Add to the list below that if you bring in a CRT, <insert my standard threat of violence>. Jason (talk) 17:30, 30 January 2014 (CST)

The stuff already in limbo is a totally different animal, IMO. I believe this is for people who say "I have a truckload of stuff, can I leave it with you". Once it's in the space, other policies may apply (like recycling it ourselves). Unless we have someone committed to sorting and carrying off things within a day or two of dropping off, I don't think we should even consider taking things from the outside just to sell them for parts. --Knit Me A Pony (talk) 01:58, 31 January 2014 (CST)

Absolutely right. I didn't see that gigantic pile of totally worthless shit until yesterday. While I took the last load with Derek's help loading it up, we're not going to get into the business of selling people's garbage. Limbo is for stuff people more or less abandon in good faith, after they brought it into the space to be used in the space, because they're lazy or whatever, but it's not a dump for stuff that requires non-trivial disposal. $60 wasn't enough to haul off the last load if the purpose is to make money. I could panhandle more in a few hours. Jason (talk) 14:29, 2 February 2014 (CST)

Someone needs to state "I will use that"

"Pumping Station: One cannot accept unsolicited donations of hardware." Perhaps unsolicited isn't quite the right word, since many people bring in useful items without PS1 requesting the hardware from them in advance. I think the point that you are trying to make is that someone needs to state "I will use that" before something get's dropped off. It seems like there are two classes things would fall into:

1. special use items like tools or one-off components. These should require a specific member to say "I will use that." We should avoid/prohibit cases where members say " someone will use that"
2. general use components (like Derek's example of sorted resistors and whatnot). These should require the area host to accept them.

here's what I'd send out to people: When considering a donation of electronics to Pumping Station: One, please consider the following guidelines: Disposing of nonfunctional electronics is difficult and burdensome for a volunteer-run organization. There is little value in the SMT electronics on modern multi-layer PCBs, as re-using them is extraordinarily difficult. Consequently we'd like you to see if your donation will be useful BEFORE you drop it off.

Consider which of the following best describes your donation:

1. Complete devices or specialty components. Examples of this type of donation would be old cell phones, old printers, networking hardware, or any equipment that is not immediately ready to function.
2. Parts or Raw components: Examples of this would be Sorted resistors, wire spools etc.
3. Gray area items: Things that may be useful as-is but don't have an immediate user. Examples would be Functioning computer systems, computer monitors, Keyboards, Mice etc.

If your donation falls into the first category you will need to find a member or members who will claim the parts for their projects before the parts are brought to the space. The item is then the member's responsibility to part out, take home or store properly.

If your donation falls into the second category you will need to contact the appropriate area host, usually the electronics shop host for this type of donation, and get their permission for the donation may be interested in: functional computers of a modern vintage (Intel Core 2 or newer architectures, please), fully functional accessories like modern LCD monitors, mice and keyboards.

If your donation falls into the third category, you can check with an area host, or the CTO to see if the donation would be useful for PS1's infrastructure. In general the space will only be interested in modern systems: ie a 386 with a CRT will not be welcome even if it works, and the space may not have a use for a system even if it is modern. If the system is not useful to the organization, you must find a specific member who wants the item before bringing it to PS1.

Clear and descriptive

I like the text Tucker put down. I also strongly agree that someone wants has to say "I will use that" before stuff comes into the space. --Hef (talk) 13:08, 30 January 2014 (CST)