Comments on: Computer recycler threatened by bureaucratic nightmare http://boingboing.net/2007/09/16/computer-recycler-th.html Brain candy for Happy Mutants Sat, 18 May 2013 23:18:00 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.4.1 By: OM http://boingboing.net/2007/09/16/computer-recycler-th.html#comment-17705 OM Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-17705 ...This sudden switch by the regulatory commission doing the screwing, and the way it's being handled brings this question to mind: are there any major used computer shops in the nearby area? Anyone with an owner devious enough to file complaints in an attempt to have the ACRCC shut down to eliminate competition? Food for thought, kids. …This sudden switch by the regulatory commission doing the screwing, and the way it’s being handled brings this question to mind: are there any major used computer shops in the nearby area? Anyone with an owner devious enough to file complaints in an attempt to have the ACRCC shut down to eliminate competition?

Food for thought, kids.

]]> By: Robert H. Goretsky http://boingboing.net/2007/09/16/computer-recycler-th.html#comment-22569 Robert H. Goretsky Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-22569 No good deed goes unpunished. The unfortunate fact is that some very environmentally-friendly operations are considered criminal activity. (I remember reading about a person who was charged with a crime for manufacturing his own fuel from corn). Hopefully this case will be escalated to a high enough authority so that some of the laws can be reviewed and possibly revised. <b>Comment by Robert H. Goretsky of Hoboken, NJ. </b> No good deed goes unpunished. The unfortunate fact is that some very environmentally-friendly operations are considered criminal activity. (I remember reading about a person who was charged with a crime for manufacturing his own fuel from corn). Hopefully this case will be escalated to a high enough authority so that some of the laws can be reviewed and possibly revised. Comment by Robert H. Goretsky of Hoboken, NJ.

]]> By: Anonymous http://boingboing.net/2007/09/16/computer-recycler-th.html#comment-25134 Anonymous Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-25134 I will be contacting the Director of the California EPA's DTSC, Maureen F. Gorsen, at MGorsen@dtsc.ca.gov. I will be contacting the Director of the California EPA’s DTSC, Maureen F. Gorsen, at MGorsen@dtsc.ca.gov.

]]> By: Jack http://boingboing.net/2007/09/16/computer-recycler-th.html#comment-17468 Jack Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-17468 Utterly disturbing. I live in Brooklyn, NY and when I was discouraged by the quality of recyclers here I made it a point to pack boxes and ship stuff to the ACCRC. They really seem great and honest and I think they set an amazing example. Now this? Where are the inspectors for people who simply toss computers out on the street? Utterly disturbing. I live in Brooklyn, NY and when I was discouraged by the quality of recyclers here I made it a point to pack boxes and ship stuff to the ACCRC. They really seem great and honest and I think they set an amazing example. Now this?

Where are the inspectors for people who simply toss computers out on the street?

]]> By: Anonymous http://boingboing.net/2007/09/16/computer-recycler-th.html#comment-544346 Anonymous Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-544346 You look for ways to refurbish these components and possibly recombine them into functional computers that go out to areas and institutions that have difficulty obtaining computers. You look for ways to refurbish these components and possibly recombine them into functional computers that go out to areas and institutions that have difficulty obtaining computers.

]]> By: PT http://boingboing.net/2007/09/16/computer-recycler-th.html#comment-17256 PT Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-17256 Relocate to Nevada! Relocate to Nevada!

]]> By: David Pescovitz http://boingboing.net/2007/09/16/computer-recycler-th.html#comment-23402 David Pescovitz Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-23402 Thanks for the comments, everyone. Turns out I actually had the organization's name wrong in the original post. It's the Alameda County Computer Resource Center. Thanks for the comments, everyone. Turns out I actually had the organization’s name wrong in the original post. It’s the Alameda County Computer Resource Center.

]]> By: Walter_E_Wallis http://boingboing.net/2007/09/16/computer-recycler-th.html#comment-18030 Walter_E_Wallis Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-18030 Time to require a showing of peril, such as a probable mechanism for the toxics to get into the humans threatened before the regs kick in. Thaty would kill most of the ababtements right theere. Time to require a showing of peril, such as a probable mechanism for the toxics to get into the humans threatened before the regs kick in.
Thaty would kill most of the ababtements right theere.

]]> By: devoinregress http://boingboing.net/2007/09/16/computer-recycler-th.html#comment-17267 devoinregress Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-17267 Damn thats really sad. I just made someones day today by giving him a refurbished computer now running Ubuntu 7.04. There are a lot of people who don't have a computer and a lot of people who throw away perfectly good ones. Damn thats really sad. I just made someones day today by giving him a refurbished computer now running Ubuntu 7.04. There are a lot of people who don’t have a computer and a lot of people who throw away perfectly good ones.

]]> By: gollux http://boingboing.net/2007/09/16/computer-recycler-th.html#comment-17270 gollux Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-17270 The major problem with California is that every manufactured product causes cancer. Is there ever a product that isn't required to have that statement on it sold in that state? They're acting like the ACCRC is dumping PCB contaminated transformer oil into the local storm drains, maintaining a tire mosquito nesting farm or some of the more egregious things that happen in recycling? Did these people really inspect them or was there some sort of anti-Berkley Birkenstock axe to grind here? The major problem with California is that every manufactured product causes cancer. Is there ever a product that isn’t required to have that statement on it sold in that state?

They’re acting like the ACCRC is dumping PCB contaminated transformer oil into the local storm drains, maintaining a tire mosquito nesting farm or some of the more egregious things that happen in recycling? Did these people really inspect them or was there some sort of anti-Berkley Birkenstock axe to grind here?

]]> By: Anonymous http://boingboing.net/2007/09/16/computer-recycler-th.html#comment-22390 Anonymous Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-22390 I have to say this is an utter shame if this does go through! As a computer enthuaist and general geek I to collect old computer parts, after all as long as the damn thing still works I can use it for some sorta project :-) Especially as I've now got quite into Ubuntu (and the light weight sibling Xubuntu) I can usually make a usable machine out of most of the stuff I've got my hand on! I've recenlty managed to salvage 3 laptops (the "fastest" being a PIII 900Mhz)from various sites I've worked on as they had been consigned to the scrap heap! I really don't understand why all parts over 1 year old have to be dumped, after all isn't that a bit of an opposing view to the environmental efforts by making companies such as this create more waste!! I have to say this is an utter shame if this does go through! As a computer enthuaist and general geek I to collect old computer parts, after all as long as the damn thing still works I can use it for some sorta project :-) Especially as I’ve now got quite into Ubuntu (and the light weight sibling Xubuntu) I can usually make a usable machine out of most of the stuff I’ve got my hand on! I’ve recenlty managed to salvage 3 laptops (the “fastest” being a PIII 900Mhz)from various sites I’ve worked on as they had been consigned to the scrap heap!

I really don’t understand why all parts over 1 year old have to be dumped, after all isn’t that a bit of an opposing view to the environmental efforts by making companies such as this create more waste!!

]]> By: Anonymous http://boingboing.net/2007/09/16/computer-recycler-th.html#comment-17277 Anonymous Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-17277 Question: Under this state code wouldn't all of the server farms, computer parts warehouses and other collections of computers also have to throw out their equipment every year? Just a question... Also if it is the fact that the equipment is sitting unused; why not arrange the collection part as a tourist/museum? At the same time you could set the "pile" (what else to call it?) as a souvenir 'shop'? Just a couple ideas of the top of my head... Question:

Under this state code wouldn’t all of the server farms, computer parts warehouses and other collections of computers also have to throw out their equipment every year? Just a question…

Also if it is the fact that the equipment is sitting unused; why not arrange the collection part as a tourist/museum? At the same time you could set the “pile” (what else to call it?) as a souvenir ‘shop’?

Just a couple ideas of the top of my head…

]]> By: Anonymous http://boingboing.net/2007/09/16/computer-recycler-th.html#comment-22155 Anonymous Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-22155 Environmental legislation is going after the small frys in this case. We have cars which pollute and get far worse fuel economy than they did 15 years ago. We are more dependent on oil than ever before. And when some company is trying to do their part to keep it green, they are always shut down. (This company is doing more than just keeping it green, they also were helping those who are less fortunate.) Another thing....if our government is going to go after companies like this, and tell us how important our environment is.....STFU until they shut down and /or halt the production of the coal based power plants, which do more harm to the environment in 1 month...than the whole state of California's cars in 1 year. Environmental legislation is going after the small frys in this case. We have cars which pollute and get far worse fuel economy than they did 15 years ago. We are more dependent on oil than ever before. And when some company is trying to do their part to keep it green, they are always shut down. (This company is doing more than just keeping it green, they also were helping those who are less fortunate.)

Another thing….if our government is going to go after companies like this, and tell us how important our environment is…..STFU until they shut down and /or halt the production of the coal based power plants, which do more harm to the environment in 1 month…than the whole state of California’s cars in 1 year.

]]> By: dculberson http://boingboing.net/2007/09/16/computer-recycler-th.html#comment-17294 dculberson Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-17294 I hate to say it, but this is a downside to legislating environmentalism. All laws can be a two-edged sword, and unfortunately, California has a lot of those. Sharp ones. A lot of businesses and local governments now refuse to send their computers where they might be reused for fear of falling foul of environmental laws. They send them all, even p4's, directly to a shredder. It's shut a lot of small businesses out of the equation. I hate to say it, but this is a downside to legislating environmentalism. All laws can be a two-edged sword, and unfortunately, California has a lot of those. Sharp ones.

A lot of businesses and local governments now refuse to send their computers where they might be reused for fear of falling foul of environmental laws. They send them all, even p4′s, directly to a shredder. It’s shut a lot of small businesses out of the equation.

]]> By: Death2Web2 http://boingboing.net/2007/09/16/computer-recycler-th.html#comment-17299 Death2Web2 Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-17299 As usual, it is the soft target that falls most certainly under the regulator's scrutiny. See, big, efficiently polluting entities tend to have large legal departments. What regulator wants to risk status and job going up against one of those? Yet, the appearance of doing something must be projected... hence a natural tropism toward the soft target. As usual, it is the soft target that falls most certainly under the regulator’s scrutiny. See, big, efficiently polluting entities tend to have large legal departments. What regulator wants to risk status and job going up against one of those? Yet, the appearance of doing something must be projected… hence a natural tropism toward the soft target.

]]> By: Anonymous http://boingboing.net/2007/09/16/computer-recycler-th.html#comment-17304 Anonymous Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-17304 DCULBERSON: I agree, to an extent. Ideally, we should make all companies handle their own products, and any purchaser of those companies handle the previously sold products, a la Cradle to Cradle design. Companies would start to be able to measure their value based on install base, because there would be raw materials in the wild that a future owner would get back. You'd design toxics out of products because nobody would be willing to sell what they couldn't reuse. The key is to make garbage illegal for businesses to produce, and eventually for consumers. We just have to make things that can be upcycled (recycled indefinitely) or food for another process. DCULBERSON:

I agree, to an extent. Ideally, we should make all companies handle their own products, and any purchaser of those companies handle the previously sold products, a la Cradle to Cradle design. Companies would start to be able to measure their value based on install base, because there would be raw materials in the wild that a future owner would get back. You’d design toxics out of products because nobody would be willing to sell what they couldn’t reuse. The key is to make garbage illegal for businesses to produce, and eventually for consumers. We just have to make things that can be upcycled (recycled indefinitely) or food for another process.

]]> By: stinkingpig http://boingboing.net/2007/09/16/computer-recycler-th.html#comment-17306 stinkingpig Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-17306 I can't help but wonder if their neighbors haven't caused the problem. That site is quite near a rather large steel plant, which has come under a lot of scrutiny for its emissions. I can’t help but wonder if their neighbors haven’t caused the problem. That site is quite near a rather large steel plant, which has come under a lot of scrutiny for its emissions.

]]> By: AskTheAdmin http://boingboing.net/2007/09/16/computer-recycler-th.html#comment-22432 AskTheAdmin Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-22432 This is so wrong! I would like to volunteer to help out any way we can. The guys over @ http://www.askTheAdmin.com are willing to help as well. Let us know if there are petitions we can work on, or any other tasks you can delegate. We are dedicated to help people fixing their computers for free and you are dedicated to breathing new life into dead machines. What a country where the good guys get bullied out of doing good!!!! Karl L. Gechlik of AskTheAdmin This is so wrong! I would like to volunteer to help out any way we can. The guys over @ http://www.askTheAdmin.com are willing to help as well.

Let us know if there are petitions we can work on, or any other tasks you can delegate. We are dedicated to help people fixing their computers for free and you are dedicated to breathing new life into dead machines.

What a country where the good guys get bullied out of doing good!!!!

Karl L. Gechlik of AskTheAdmin

]]> By: Anonymous http://boingboing.net/2007/09/16/computer-recycler-th.html#comment-18083 Anonymous Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-18083 Clfrn sn't ntrstd n llwng nyn t kp n ld cmptr, thy wnt t shrddd s ppl wll hv t by nw ns. Mst nvrnmntl rgltns r shm, thy r smply thr s th stt cn xrcs mr cntrl vr th cnmy. nvrnmntlly, t's mch clnr t jst kp ths ld cmptrs n shlf thn t rcycl t. Clfrn sn’t ntrstd n llwng nyn t kp n ld cmptr, thy wnt t shrddd s ppl wll hv t by nw ns. Mst nvrnmntl rgltns r shm, thy r smply thr s th stt cn xrcs mr cntrl vr th cnmy.

nvrnmntlly, t’s mch clnr t jst kp ths ld cmptrs n shlf thn t rcycl t.

]]> By: tempus http://boingboing.net/2007/09/16/computer-recycler-th.html#comment-22699 tempus Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-22699 AMEN to death2web2's post. No good deed EVER goes unpunished here in fascist America, where the worst, most egregious corporate Huns are immune from all laws. the anonymous 'inspector' post is obviously from a mindless drone incapable of complex thought or the ability to see in color, LOL. Perhaps they should apply for work at the TSA? AMEN to death2web2′s post. No good deed EVER goes unpunished here in fascist America, where the worst, most egregious corporate Huns are immune from all laws. the anonymous ‘inspector’ post is obviously from a mindless drone incapable of complex thought or the ability to see in color, LOL. Perhaps they should apply for work at the TSA?

]]> By: rocklifter http://boingboing.net/2007/09/16/computer-recycler-th.html#comment-17327 rocklifter Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-17327 Arrgh. I used to be the Tech. Coordinator for a small school district. This was the only place we could afford to legally get rid of old computers, and when I took over we had an entire portable building crammed full of them. No one knew what to do with them. If the ACCRC goes away lots of people will lose a valuable resource, on both ends of the stream. Arrgh. I used to be the Tech. Coordinator for a small school district. This was the only place we could afford to legally get rid of old computers, and when I took over we had an entire portable building crammed full of them. No one knew what to do with them. If the ACCRC goes away lots of people will lose a valuable resource, on both ends of the stream.

]]> By: publiceggo http://boingboing.net/2007/09/16/computer-recycler-th.html#comment-17336 publiceggo Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-17336 Am I being naive? It's okay; I probably am. At the end of Dwell Magazine's <a href="http://www.dwell.com/daily/blog/9814652.html>blogpost about San Francisco mayor Gavin Newsom's visit to their office</a>, they give <a href="gavin.newsom@sfgov.org">his email address</a> and suggest that "if you have an idea (or a complaint) about San Francisco's recycling program, green spaces, or building regulations, [you should] contact him". Separate levels of government/state agency vs. city government/whatever...but why not write "just in case"? Am I being naive? It’s okay; I probably am. At the end of Dwell Magazine’s his email address and suggest that “if you have an idea (or a complaint) about San Francisco’s recycling program, green spaces, or building regulations, [you should] contact him”.

Separate levels of government/state agency vs. city government/whatever…but why not write “just in case”?

]]> By: Anonymous http://boingboing.net/2007/09/16/computer-recycler-th.html#comment-17612 Anonymous Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-17612 This behavior sounds like some official throwing his "authority" around for something that even the most cursory look at the big picture is counter to the general public good. Hopefully if the public backlash is negative and loud enough, the persons with direct involvement will find themselves looking for another job soon. This behavior sounds like some official throwing his “authority” around for something that even the most cursory look at the big picture is counter to the general public good. Hopefully if the public backlash is negative and loud enough, the persons with direct involvement will find themselves looking for another job soon.

]]> By: stinkingpig http://boingboing.net/2007/09/16/computer-recycler-th.html#comment-17362 stinkingpig Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-17362 @PUBLICEGGO San Francisco is not Berkeley. @PUBLICEGGO

San Francisco is not Berkeley.

]]> By: PrintWithStyle http://boingboing.net/2007/09/16/computer-recycler-th.html#comment-22484 PrintWithStyle Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-22484 @AskTheAdmin - that sounds like a great idea. We would like to help as well. BTW: Asktheadmin.com is a very cool site! @AskTheAdmin – that sounds like a great idea. We would like to help as well. BTW: Asktheadmin.com is a very cool site!

]]> By: Philip http://boingboing.net/2007/09/16/computer-recycler-th.html#comment-22232 Philip Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-22232 Download youtube videos direct to your PC, iPod, PSP, iPhone, Mobile, Mac..etc for free.. Its fast Check http://converttube.com/ Convert to more popular format like .WMV .MOV, .MP4, .3GP, .MP3 etc Download youtube videos direct to your PC, iPod, PSP, iPhone, Mobile, Mac..etc for free.. Its fast

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]]> By: Anonymous http://boingboing.net/2007/09/16/computer-recycler-th.html#comment-20188 Anonymous Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-20188 WHO wrote the Regs? WHO wrote the Regs?

]]> By: ResponsibleCitizen http://boingboing.net/2007/09/16/computer-recycler-th.html#comment-22753 ResponsibleCitizen Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-22753 You are in the right, they are in the wrong. Sometimes even with a large matter such as this, conscience informs you that it does in fact come down to something that simple. However, they are both wholly wrong and wholly in power, which means you are morally authorized to wholly deceive them. Draw up a full inventory as best you can, and make up the rest. Move things around; tape off sections of the floor; print and post clear and important-looking signs; spend a day reorganizing in such a fashion that it it obvious you have cleaned the place up--which will have the secondhand benefit of actually cleaning the place up. Take any items which might raise red flags--such as your legitimate memorabilia--and move them offsite or to a $300 shed (from any big-box hardware store) with "Marked for Recycling and Disposal" on it, and a posted timesheet labeling dates and times of recent disposal runs and projected ones. Take half an hour and draw up official waste-disposal schedules and plans, have the board of directors sign it (or at least yourself), using documents from the Internet as guides to making official-sounding language. This foolish inspector does not need to be fought or petitioned; he needs to believe he has made his mark. Allow him to believe it. You are in the right, they are in the wrong. Sometimes even with a large matter such as this, conscience informs you that it does in fact come down to something that simple. However, they are both wholly wrong and wholly in power, which means you are morally authorized to wholly deceive them. Draw up a full inventory as best you can, and make up the rest. Move things around; tape off sections of the floor; print and post clear and important-looking signs; spend a day reorganizing in such a fashion that it it obvious you have cleaned the place up–which will have the secondhand benefit of actually cleaning the place up. Take any items which might raise red flags–such as your legitimate memorabilia–and move them offsite or to a $300 shed (from any big-box hardware store) with “Marked for Recycling and Disposal” on it, and a posted timesheet labeling dates and times of recent disposal runs and projected ones. Take half an hour and draw up official waste-disposal schedules and plans, have the board of directors sign it (or at least yourself), using documents from the Internet as guides to making official-sounding language. This foolish inspector does not need to be fought or petitioned; he needs to believe he has made his mark. Allow him to believe it.

]]> By: publiceggo http://boingboing.net/2007/09/16/computer-recycler-th.html#comment-17383 publiceggo Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-17383 Meh, same general area. ahem. Meh, same general area.

ahem.

]]> By: Anonymous http://boingboing.net/2007/09/16/computer-recycler-th.html#comment-17388 Anonymous Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-17388 Would it be over-simplyfing things to suggest opening another charity with another name at the same address and transfer all assets to the new business? This time next year, rinse, later and repeat ... Would it be over-simplyfing things to suggest opening another charity with another name at the same address and transfer all assets to the new business?

This time next year, rinse, later and repeat …

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