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In the past, the city had already donated older computers to non-profit organizations when they specifically requested them.

But a report said the computers had generally gone to e-waste companies in more recent years, where they’d cleanse and sort the equipment for free for potential reuse or recycling; the city sometimes received a bit of money back if there was still some value in the technology.

A discussion between IT staff and Coun. Paul Singh sparked a request last year to have staff look into other options.

A new proposal supported by councillors at a finance and corporate services meeting this week would see older laptops and desktops made available to local community groups and programs; specific requests for equipment from non-profits would also still be fielded.

The city will also partner with The Working Centre, which already has its own computer recycling program.

“Our goal will be to divert as many end-of-lifecycle assets from e-waste streams as possible,” said Kitchener’s director of technology innovation and services, Dan Murray.

City computers would be donated to The Working Centre program, which refurbishes equipment and sells it to people who need low-cost options.

The Working Centre says it costs them about $100 to check, test and provide training and support for each computer; they’re sold for $30 to $250, depending on quality.

The city considers computers to have reached ‘end-of-life’ for their needs at four to five years, with about 200 to 250 computers reaching those limits every year.

Cellphones are returned to the providers. Murray said programs exist where those phones can then be offered to shelters and other organizations where people may need an emergency phone.

Murray said there may be opportunities to look at how other types of surplus city equipment could be repurposed in similar ways.

Singh asked staff to share their work on the issue with the Region of Waterloo and area municipalities in an effort to expand these types of programs, adding that libraries and other agencies could be potential partners.

“As we look at this, I think this is the beginning,” he said. “I see there’s a lot of other things that can come from this.”