[LUAU] Mail Back: USPS to recycle (some) e-waste free of charge

[Jim Thompson]

I think what we're seeing here is the leading edge of the computer /  
consumer electronics manufacturers getting into the game based on the  
years-old law in California that essentially forces their hand.

Apple will take back up to 60 lbs of your ewaste for $30 if you  
haven't recently bought a Mac.  That includes shipping, even from  
Hawaii, but you have to supply the box.   Periodically they have a  
"just bring it all" campaign (likely so they can get the 'weight'  
needed to stay in compliance with the California law), and this too  
works in Hawaii.   This is a "consumer" program, though Apple also has  
an "Enterprise" program as well.

Yes, I believe that the USPS one will rapidly expand to all 50  
states.  I doubt they send the circuit board back. though they likely  
can't use it, either.

Some of these programs were already known, but I found the USPS one  
surprising in its scope.   Even the least tech-savvy person can  
typically find the local Post Office.

Meanwhile, various people are sniping at me because I want to change  
the direction of HOSEF *away* from eWaste recycling, and back to  
something focused on Free and Open Source.

I think that the Computer / CE manufacturers will shortly overrun the  
'market' for such services, based on the California law alone.  This  
makes the 'viability' of HOSEF based on eWaste recycling short-term at- 
best.  Scott has thrown up a lot of smokescreen on this front,  
claiming that HOSEF can't change its "sustaining activity" or the IRS  
will revoke HOSEF's 501(c)3 status (It won't, and I've shown how its  
easy to do.)

Meanwhile, Scott has acted to incumber HOSEF, often without board  
oversight prior to the decision being made. For those of you who don't  
know, Scott recently added a 'storefront' for selling recycled  
computers in an Ewa Beach auto parts store.  The board has *no* idea  
what the terms of that relationship are, nor has Scott chosen to  
respond to board inquiries on this, or other matters.   There is a lot  
I could say here about HOSEF matters but this is the LUAU list.

I can't post this discussion to hosef-managers, because Scott has  
erected himself as "moderator" of that list, and has already chosen to  
reject messages at his whim.