More than 75 percent of the 40 million computers American businesses replaced last year are four or fewer years old, which make them ideal for donation to nonprofits and to Habitat families. Three Habitat for Humanity of Franklin County partner families received refurbished computers through a partnership between Habitat for Humanity International and Redemtech. The David Bethae family, Bret Oshel family and Kristen Riley family each received a computer at the Riley family Habitat home dedication on Sunday.
Redemtech is a world leader in refurbishing large volumes of PCs from businesses. Electronic waste, or e-waste, is the fastest growing categoryof trash, and it includes 
computers, cellphones, game consoles and some of the hardest-to-recycle materials. Reusing 50 computers (CPU and monitor) createsthe following green benefits: Energy savings equal to the electricity that ittakes to power 34 houses/yr; Greenhouse Gas reduction equal to the removing of 24 cars from roads/yr; Hazardous Waste reduction equal to the weight of 360 bricks. Redemtech has committed to providing computers for 10,000 Habitat for Humanity partner families, through its Microsoft approves refurbishing (MAR)computer program including genuine Microsoft software and other initiatives.
To be eligible, all three families completed the required computer classes, which included basic computer knowledge and internet safety. These classes were made possible through the City of Ottawa, the ORC and the Franklin County Sherriff’s Department.
Habitat for Humanity of Franklin County is alocally run affiliate of Habitat for Humanity International, a nonprofit, ecumenical Christian housing organization. Habitat for Humanity works in partnership with people in need to build and renovate decent, affordable housing. The houses then are sold to those in need at no profit and with no interest charged. To learn more about Habitat for Humanity of Franklin County pleasevisit: habitatfranklincounty.org.
