Computer Recycling

London has a population of over 1.9 million people aged 50 and over who play many different roles in the capital. Age Concern London acknowledges the enormous contribution older people make to life in the capital and works with and for older people to promote their rights and status as citizens and to build an inclusive capital for all.

The charity's key objective is to advance the interests and well-being of the capital's older population. Working together locally and regionally across the capital with key decision makers and partners plays a crucial part in striving to meet this goal.

British Airways has joined forces with Age Concern in London and Slough and not-for-profit computer recycling company Maxitech.biz in a new initiative that aims to open up the online world to London and Slough's older citizens.

The company has pledged to donate computers it no longer needs as a result of upgrading, which will be safely wiped and refurbished by Maxitech.biz, and then donated to Age Concern Slough to support older people.

The computers will not only be used to benefit older people who access the Advocacy Service run by Age Concern Slough, but will also allow older people to gain access to the Internet and training at Age Concern Slough's drop-in centre in the town centre.

"These computers will give the older people who use them the opportunity to communicate with friends and relatives, develop new interests, and will enable them to have access to health and advice," says Age Concern Slough Chief Executive, Tracey Morgan. "This will make such a difference to the lives of many older people who find it hard to cpe due to illness, disability or mobility problems, and find everyday tasks such as shopping and banking and even socialising difficult. Helping them to improve their computer skills and giving them free access to the Internet will give older people, who would otherwise be excluded, the same opportunity to make use of the benefits that communicating via the Internet provides for millions of people everyday."

Maxitech is a multi-award-winning not-for-profit organisation dedicated to reusing and recycling redundant IT and electronic equipment. Maxitech is based in North London, but can arrange for the nationwide collection of IT and electronic equipment at low cost. Maxitech's preference is to reuse equipment received, thus prolonging its lifespan, minimising waste and benefiting charities and community groups who receive low-cost or free IT equipment. Maxitech provides more than 100 training opportunities each year for refugees and long-term unemployed people, to help them get into full-time employment.

"Society is becoming ever-more dependent on computerised technologies, but that creates the problem of outdated equipment," explains Maxitech Managing Director Peter Paduh, voted Young Entrepreneur of the Year by the London Chamber of Commerce and ITV at the London Business Awards 2005.

"An estimated two million working Pentium or equivalent PCs are dumped in landfill sites in the UK every year, creating a massive environmental hazard. Our priority is to prevent old computers from becoming an environmental liability, and instead turn them into a valuable resource for charities and community groups. We're delighted to be working with British Airways and Age Concern Slough on this exciting project which I'm sure will engage the enthusiasm of people responsible for IT in companies and organisations across the region."

Maxitech require any unwanted PCs your company may not be currently using and Age Concern London would be grateful for offers of assistant from volunteers with IT skills to help with setting-up the PCs in older peoples' homes.

Frank Fruzza, from British Airways Information Management team, adds, "Working with Maxitech is a win-win scenario, as not only does it benefit the end-users of the refurbished computers, it allows the airline to recycle the equipment in a cost-effective, environmentally friendly manner. We are working closely with our information management team to ensure the appropriate distribution of computers."

For more information about the Computers for Older People initiative visit: www.maxitech.biz

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