Comprenew’s Commitment to Community

As the only nonprofit organization in the world certified by both e-Stewards and R2, Comprenew, a nonprofit electronics recycler and refurbisher, is a steward of best-in-class circular economy operations and programs that reduce waste and give back to the west Michigan community.

The latter (R2) provides a common set of processes, safety measures and documentation requirements for businesses that repair and recycle used electronics and is rigorously and independently audited. The former (e-Stewards) is an electronics waste recycling standard created by the Basel Action Network because of concerns about the ways electronic waste were being disposed of in poor countries, often by underage workers.

Sarah Laman, director of marketing and development for Comprenew, says both designations are meaningful to the company.

“The certifications are important for ensuring safe and proper recycling practices,” she noted. “Many recyclers choose to be certified by either e-Stewards or R2, but we believe that by adhering to both standards, we are showing a commitment to environmental responsibility, to worker health and safety, and to secure data elimination.”

Comprenew Connect is a computer literacy class aimed to help low-income members of the community learn to operate computer technology and acquire a home computer. The goal is to close the digital divide while setting up families for success.

Comprenew got its start in 1986 as a computer refurbishing company but transitioned to a nonprofit organization in 2004 when it shifted its focus from for-profit to social enterprise. It sells back affordable refurbished products at three retail locations in west Michigan and have 23 e-waste collection sites throughout the Midwest. Additionally, Comprenew has its own logistics fleet to serve corporate customers.

With the exception of large kitchen appliances, it accepts virtually any item with a cord or battery. Taking in about 4 million pounds of electronic devices a year, Comprenew saves an estimated 850,000 electronic items annually from improper disposal. It tries to refurbish as many electronic devices as possible, which is usually a quarter of total electronic intake. What is left that cannot be refurbished gets taken apart, securely cleared of data at three check points, and sent to downstream to certified partners to be recycled.

Taking in about 4 million pounds of electronic devices a year, Comprenew saves an estimated 850,000 electronic items annually from improper disposal.

Comprenew’s mission includes fostering job readiness and computer literacy among at-risk populations in their community. Comprenew Connect is a basic computer literacy course for low-income people without computer skills or access, often elderly folks or first-generation citizens. Comprenew provides a voucher to participants upon competition of the class to receive a discounted computer at one of their retail stores. The classes are held on-site at Comprenew as well as at partnering organization sites such as public libraries and community centers. Since the class was started in 2015, over 600 community members have graduated from this program.

Through a new program launched in May 2019, community members can receive a free computer voucher in exchange for 40 hours of volunteer work disassembling electronics at Comprenew. Additionally, the

service-learning program hosts thousands of volunteers each year who want to learn more about the electronic recycling process in a hands-on experience, and last year alone they delivered nearly 20,000 hours of job readiness training to people experiencing barriers to employment.

Comprenew also believes in supporting other nonprofits and does so by offering discounted computer equipment to organizations that provide assistance and training to at-risk populations. These community partners receive deep discounts on equipment for their computer labs, with Comprenew underwriting 60 percent of the cost. Beneficiaries include Bates Place, Baxter Community Center, Green Michigan, Inner City Christian Federation, Roosevelt Park Ministries, Tent Schools International, United Methodist Community House and more. Comprenew also makes equipment donations to organizations that offer other services to low-income people.

“Comprenew is proud to be part of a corporate community that recognizes its role and responsibility to ensure a safer and cleaner planet.” – President Scott VanderKooy

This suite of services is in Comprenew’s sweet spot as a nonprofit says Laman, and it also is an intentional effort on the organization’s part to bridge the digital divide.

“In the United States approximately 150,000 computers are disposed of every day while, at the same time, an estimated 48 million people in the U.S. do not have access to a home computer,” Laman said. “Research has shown that lack of access to home technology can hinder education and socio-economic status, further widening the digital divide in our community. Our objective is to use our position in the recycling and refurbishing industry to provide low-income members of the community access to technology.”

These community programs, secure electronic recycling and refurbishing practices make Comprenew a global leader in circular economy initiatives and president Scott VanderKooy would have it no other way.

Of his company’s work he said simply: “Comprenew is proud to be part of a corporate community that recognizes its role and responsibility to ensure a safer and cleaner planet.”

Comprenew strives to protect businesses, people and the environment from the threat of improperly disposed electronic devices through best practice technology data management, asset recovery and recycling services, while fostering job readiness and computer literacy among at-risk populations within the community. Learn more at https://comprenew.org/about/.