How Federal Partners can Donate to the Program

Federal departments and agencies should be aware that all surplus information technology (IT) equipment is to be made available to Industry Canada's Computers for Schools Program. Existing Treasury Board policy and directive on Management of Material and Disposal of Surplus Material, stipulate that: departments must offer right of first refusal of all surplus personal computers, laptops, servers, monitors, keyboards, mice, printers, modems, hubs, network cards, hard drives, etc., to the Industry Canada Computers for Schools Program.

Individuals interested in learning more on the implemented policy and directive can take a look at the following Treasury Board web sites: Policy on Management of Material and Directive on Disposal of Surplus Material.

Equipment donation by federal departments and agencies can be made online, by completing the donation form.

Minimum Requirements

Computer hardware offered to the Computers for Schools Program must meet the established program minimum standards listed below. The minimum requirements1 are agreed on in collaboration with all provincial/territorial recipients, to ensure that the equipment donated to schools, libraries, not-for-profit organizations and Aboriginal communities is consistent with our clients needs.

The program minimum requirements are:

  • Pentium IV 1.4 MHz
  • 512 Megs of RAM
  • 20 Gig Hard Drive
  • CD-Rom
  • Sound Card
  • Network Card
  • Mouse
  • Keyboard
  • 15" LCD Monitor (When and if available)

CFS and the Environment

Preserving the environment is a very important part of the Program. CFS is a strong promoter of re-use in order to extend the life of these assets by an additional two (2) to three (3) years; and reduce the environmental footprints. Non-working systems are stripped, and functional parts are used to repair other systems, while the unusable parts are recycled in an environmentally friendly way, through provincial or federal recycling programs.

Federal departments and agencies with equipment below the CFS Program minimum requirements should made the necessary arrangement to dispose of these assets through their provincial recycling program, if implemented; or by communicating directly with the Federal departments standing offer for recycling services – Environmental Services Directorate's National Service Call Centre at: 1-800-463-1850.

For more information on federal waste disposal of surplus electronic waste, please visit the Public Works and Government Services Canada's (PWGSC) Federal Electronic Waste Strategy at:
http://www.tpsgc-pwgsc.gc.ca/ecologisation-greening/dechets-waste/index-eng.html

1 Please note that the minimum requirements may vary from one province/territory to another. We suggest that you consult with the CFS Program located in your area before sending any equipment to our workshops. (Back to text)