SAN FRANCISCO, April 23 (AScribe Newswire) -- U.S. nonprofits are increasingly considering "green" technology options such as refurbished computers and eco-printing software. According to a survey of nonprofits conducted by San Francisco-based technology resource and assistance provider TechSoup (http://www.techsoup.org), nonprofits list environmental impact, cost, and the availability of credible information as major considerations when making purchasing decisions.
The survey, conducted in anticipation of the Earth Day launch of TechSoup's Green Tech Initiative (http://www.techsoup.org/greentech/), assessed the availability of green technology information and services, current knowledge of green practices, and interest in green technology and services among nonprofits. Green Tech will provide a community, tools, and services that engage people, corporations, and the government to reduce the environmental footprint of nonprofits and NGOs. The initiative will increase awareness around the benefits of green technology, provide guidance and opportunities to adopt green technology practices, and develop additional tools and services related to green technology.
The most common challenge for nonprofits considering green technology alternatives was a perceived lack of information about the available options. Over half of respondents reported that they found out about green technology via word-of-mouth. Over 70 percent of respondents reported that information about the following would be valuable or very valuable to them: reducing paper use, reducing electricity or power use for office equipment, proper electronics recycling, and green IT purchasing.
According to Anna Jaeger, co-director of TechSoup's Green Tech, "The survey revealed a clear need for accurate information about what is available to nonprofits that wish to take advantage of green technology products and services. Our goal is to put that information in front of the organizations that seek it."
For organizations that have purchased green IT equipment, such as refurbished computers that reduce the impact of e-waste by extending the usable life of PCs, more than 80 percent reported that they were somewhat satisfied or very satisfied with their hardware products but identified issues with technical support and system reliability.
TechSoup's Jim Lynch, Computer Recycling and Reuse Director noted, "Perceptions of refurbished/recycled computers have traditionally been that this equipment lags in reliability and proper technical support. At TechSoup we're working to address these obstacles both in our own Refurbished Computer Initiative (RCI) and in the area of refurbishment standards for the computer refurbishing field."
To view the full survey results visit, http://tinyurl.com/6bndl6 .
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CONTACT: Rochelle Williams, 415-633-9321, rwilliams@techsoup.org
About TechSoup
Founded in 1987 as CompuMentor, TechSoup is one of the most comprehensive nonprofit technology assistance providers in the world, employing a staff of 150 and deploying a budget of over $18 million in FY 2008. It conducts a range of major programs on the international, national, and local level, including the operation of its nonprofit technology Web site TechSoup (http://www.techsoup.org) and its distribution service for technology product donations, TechSoup Stock (http://www.techsoup.org/stock). As part of TechSoup Stock, the Refurbished Computer Initiative (RCI) distributes unwanted corporate IT equipment to nonprofits and low-income families, turning used computers and office equipment into effective corporate green philanthropy. Other TechSoup programs include the NetSquared (http://www.netsquared.org) initiative to help nonprofits worldwide use new Internet-based tools such as blogging, podcasting and social networking to extend their reach and impact, and TechSoup Global, its program aimed at building NGO capacity worldwide.
Media Contact: See above.
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