# Presentation: 741536

## BITS ‘N’ BYTES II

**BITS ‘N’ BYTES II**
- Sharon Ricketts Williams, Recycling CoordinatorPatricia Edington, Supply Technician
- VA ILLIANA HEALTH CARE SYSTEM
- DANVILLE, IL  61832
- June 4, 2008

## Electronics Recycling Program

- Computers for Kids Program
- Scrap Electronics Recycling
- De-installation, Sanitization
- Tracking Equipment
- Cost Avoidances
- Affirmative Procurement

## Electronics Addressed

- Monitors  (computers and TV)
- CPUs
- Cell phones
- Copiers
- Laptops
- Keyboards
- LCD screens
- Printers
- Other

## Our Challenges

- Donate reusable equipment to local schools-E.O. 12999
- Develop process for community outreach and education through equipment donation
- Develop (and write) staff procedure to sanitize usable equipment prior to donation/reuse
- Reusing usable electronics within the medical center
- Manage scrap electronic equipment in an environmentally sound manner-locating/utilizing a vendor who recycles scrap computer equipment and components in an environmentally safe manner.
- Do all of the above at no cost to medical center
- Develop reduced paperwork accountability system
- Develop seamless, integrated working relationship with Property Management for equipment disposition
- Educating Acquisition, Contracting and Purchasing staff regarding Green Purchasing and Energy Star products

## Benefits

**Education Contribution, community recognition**
**Cost Avoidance-Effective Disposition Strategies**
**Development of Data Security Strategies **
**Reduced liabilities**
**Energy Star equipment purchases resulting in lower energy used**

## Computers for Kids Program

- Dedication, an abundance of re-usable technology otherwise destined for scrap recycling, and permission granted by E.O. 12999, Educational Technology, Ensuring Opportunity for All Children in the Next Century was instrumental in implementing our **Computers for Kids** program. This partnership enabled schools to increase the ratio of computers to students by eliminating the financial burden incurred for equipment purchase.
- In FY’07, VAIHCS **donated** a total of **157** systems and 19 laptops providing **$5280 to $21,120** in cost avoidances from our local schools.  Equipment transportation is provided by the receiving schools picking up donated computer systems at our medical center.  We  provide disposition information to participating schools prior to them signing a release form, assuring their responsibility for proper equipment disposition.

## Scrap Electronics Recycling

- During **FY’07**, VAIHCS recycled **215 **scrap** **computer equipment systems and components totaling approximately **6450 pounds**.  Scrap electronics disposition costs are avoided by utilizing local scrap sales or recycling vendor.

## De-installation, Sanitization

- De-installation and sanitization activities are scheduled and accomplished during staff daily duties.  Outdated, though usable condition equipment is sanitized and donated. Non-operational equipment unable to be sanitized requires hard drive removal.  Hard drives are securely stored until final disposition is arranged.  The remaining scrap equipment is stored in secured area until picked up by our electronics recycling vendor.

## Tracking Equipment

- Compliance with VA Information Technology’s Directive and Handbook 6210, Chapter 6, and VA Information Technology’s Directive and handbook 6214 Security Certification and Accreditation, and HIPAA compliance is ensured through documentation during decommissioning and sanitization phases of computer excessing process.  A concise, one-page form containing all the required information tracking each computer system from medical center user desk to recipients ensuring compliance with VA and HIPAA regulations is utilized.

## Cost Avoidances

- Our electronics vendor provides free pick up and transportation of scrap electronics which are refurbished for reuse by lower income families or dismantled, recycled or resold within the U.S. borders, depending on specs and condition.  Nothing recycled will reach a landfill.
- Cost avoidances realized are due to de-installation, sanitization and asset tracking services performed by our employees, scheduled and accomplished during daily operations.  Outdated, though usable condition equipment is sanitized and reused by BioMed Shop where needed.  Inter-service coordination and cooperation is the biggest successful component of our “recycle through station reuse program”.

## Cost Avoidances

- The Computers for Kids Program equipment transportation is provided by the receiving schools, who pick up donated computer systems at our medical center.
- From 1999 to present we have achieved cost avoidances totaling **$42,030 to $162,600** and diversion of **79,862 pounds or 39.931 ton** of equipment, maintaining VAIHCS 100% computer electronics reuse and recycling  rate.

## Procurement

**Affirmative procurement (MCM 00ESS-63) policy has been included in our GEMS (Greening Environmental Management System) program.  This policy encompasses purchase of environmentally friendly products including those with source reduction (reduced packaging).   Contracting Officers, Purchasing Agents, and Purchase Card Holders and IRM Staff are identified as key persons responsible for ensuring incorporation of green procurement principles and life cycle assessments of computer equipment. Using EPEAT criteria, IRM purchased (1) HP LCD monitor rated Silver, and (8) laptops also rated Silver during FY’07.  There were no VISN 11 desktop PC purchases for FY’07.**

## Establishment and measurement of progress toward APP and Disposition Objectives Achievement are included in GEMS program.  Progress reports are provided on an annual basis GEMS Annual Program Effectiveness Review and Report and the annual Waste Minimization Report. 

## Contact Us

- Sharon Ricketts Williams, Dept. Veterans Affairs, OIT
-      VA Illiana Health Care System
- _[Sharon.Williams3@va.gov](mailto:Sharon.Williams3@va.gov)_
**Phone 217.554.5667**
- Patricia Edington, Dept. Veterans Affairs
- Patricia.Edington@va.gov
- Phone 217.554.5896