Based on my experience running a not-for profit (www.p2prescue.org), I found the sign-up process simple (so far), although the pages could use a quick edit (for spelling) and some clarification of requirements.

The service requests that charities submit an IRS W9 along with the usual paperwork declaring IRS exemption status, but my company doesn’t have the W9 yet as we haven’t gone through our first tax cycle. And here’s the rub—it’s the start-ups that need these kinds of capital “in kind” donations the most.

I’ll let you know how it goes as things progress from the “approval” stage onward.

ALL Retail vendors offer drop box for Used celphones in outlets. No biggie. Like to see this expanded some. Good idea, now recycle HD TV units, Plasma TVs, PCs, DVDs, CD players, MP3, I Pods. Billions alone in parts.

The key point to this story is not the recycling, but that the products get put back into play for charity use. Many of the products we recycle (particularly in the wireless area) are in perfectly fine shape and can be employed as capital.

I run a small non-profit. I don’t earn a salary. And I give everything I raise to the body I’m supporting. Buying capital is an area I’d prefer to see reduced as a percentage of cost. (The cost of one decent worldphone can instead literally support a family in Sri Lanka for three months.)

So, Skyking, if ALL retail vendors do this now, where do the products go after they’re dropped in the box?

This also came up for me recently, when CompUSA closed 100 stores. I called requesting donations of some capital supplies, but they instead sold everything to liquidators. What a waste.

I’d love to hear anyone’s feedback on this. The application process was a little frustrating. The site has a number of typos (or spelling issues). I just received this response:

“I’ll approve your application but I need to have a permanent link placed on your website to Recycling for Charities. Please let me know when you have done this.”

I know the company is offering a positive service with good intentions, but this seems a little aggressive to me. I am applying to receive non-profit support as defined by this company’s mission statement, not signing up to “permanently” promote a company I’ve yet to work with.

Clearly it’s in my interest over time to promote the service. But now? What would you do?