19 May 2006
CPR Teams Up with ERA to Provide Computers for Not-For-Profits
Thousands of Albertans in need will benefit from a very environmentally-friendly
agreement between Canadian Pacific Railway and the Electronic Recycling Association.
Canadian Pacific Railway (CPR) has entered into an agreement with the Electronic Recycling Association (ERA) that will see the donation
of thousands of computers that no longer fit CPR's operating specifications.
"These computers do not fit with our day-to-day rail operations anymore, so, we are very pleased to donate them to
charities and non-profits who can still benefit from them," says Allen Borak, vice president of CPR's business
information and technology services. "CPR expects to supply the ERA with more than 2,000 desktops and 1,800 laptops in the next
two years."
"Thousands of computers are routinely sent to landfills or to be smelted in Canada and the US, while thousands upon thousands of
people wish they could afford a computer or a laptop," says ERA managing director, Bojan Paduh. "ERA ensures nobody is
socially excluded by providing refurbished computers collected all across Canada."
ERA is able to meet CPR's security standards as it will wipe the hard drives of all computers, ensure the removal of all data from
equipment, up to the U.S Department of Defense standards and RCMP Standards, and issue certificates of certified drive wiping.
"As well, ERA's policy also ensures that everything is dealt with environmentally and recycles the obsolete with certified
recyclers, which means no harmful components are sent to landfill," Borak added.
CPR plans to donate computers from its offices in Calgary, Edmonton, Vancouver, Montreal and Toronto and coordinate
pick-ups with the ERA throughout the U.S. Equipment will be donated to charities, not-for-profit groups,
libraries, community access centres, daycares and elderly establishments in North America and potentially overseas.
Electronic Recycling Association ( www.era.ca ), collects computers and electronics for donation and recycling in Canada. Established
and headquartered in Calgary, Alberta, ERA has grown to offer services in Edmonton, Vancouver, Toronto, Montreal and entire Canada. ERA
donates large amounts of refurbished computers to many charitable and non profit causes in Canada, ensuring access to technology for
everyone.
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