Retail Orphan Initiative announces computer recycling program for retailers

Nashville, Tenn. -- The Retail Orphan Initiative (RetailROI) announced that it has created a computer recycling program in partnership with the GEAR Foundation. The program, which recycles retailers’ computers that are less than four years old and have expired warranties, will immediately create jobs for physically and mentally challenged young adults as the computers are erased, refurbished, and resold.



“This is a win-win-win program,” said Greg Buzek, president of IHL Group and donor trustee for RetailROI. “It immediately saves retailers money on recycling costs, creates immediate jobs for physically challenged kids and young adults, and provides the funding for a future program that will allow for the donation of overstocked clothing for foster kids and families at risk.”



“Retailers often pay a recycling company $8 to $10 each to remove old computer equipment and send to recyclers,” Buzek continued. “Now they can take a charitable deduction by donating these items to the GEAR Foundation. GEAR will clean up the old computers, erase and re-install the hard drives, and resell the computers for a nominal cost to those in the community who may not otherwise be able to afford a new one.”



This is the first step in a process to create an opportunity for retailers to get a tax deduction for their overstocked merchandise that can be donated to children’s charities and at-risk families. The donated computers will generate the income to staff this subsequent effort.



RetailROI highly encourages retailers to get involved, as it will give jobs to vulnerable young adults, save retailers $5 to $40,000 a year in recycling costs, and provide affordable computers to the community.



For more information, go to http://www.retailroi.org/businesses/.