News & Media

Local charities benefit from UOW e-waste clean up

UOW’s first e-waste event, held in April, wasn’t just a trash and treasure event for staff and students, it also put unused computer equipment to good use to benefit two local charities - the Wollongong Shepherd Centre and Strategic Community Assistance to Refugee Families (SCARF).

At the event more than 300 pieces of equipment, including computers, monitors, keyboards, external hard drives, printers, scanners and data projectors were handed in.

The Shepherd Centre runs a range of programs for children who are deaf and hearing-impaired to develop spoken language so they may fully participate in the hearing world. The Wollongong office was given five computers and monitors, a laptop and audiovisual equipment.

CEO of the Shepherd Centre Anthea Green sent a letter of thanks to the University, saying that the “significant contribution will be of great assistance to the staff and children at the centre”

Refugee advocacy agency SCARF was given computers and a range of other equipment.

The e-waste event was part of a move by UOW to focus on the environment, and specifically recycling. The event was a top priority for the Environmental and Sustainability Initiatives Unit because it provided a three-fold benefit to staff, students and the community

Given the success of this event, it may become an annual fixture on the University calendar.

Last reviewed: 11 May, 2009