7A – Testing the Hypothesis, Part 1

Computer recycling program Opportunity: Majority of adults and children in America own a computer. Computers only have a limited lifespan before the owner decides to get rid of the computer. The Who: Everyone that has a computer they want to discard The What: They are having to get rid of their old computers The Why: Computers either break down or become obsolete causing the owners to get a newer computer to replace it. Testing the who: It is not just singular people who have this need. Companies that provide their employees with laptops need a way to dispose of these laptops. In addition, this could be anyone who owns a computer in or outside the United States. Schools who get money to provide students with laptops and desktops in their library. Testing the what: 73% of adult Americans own a computer. 93% of adult Americans have a cell phone. (www.pewinternet.org) However, when Americans upgrade there is usually a program that allows the owner of the phone to sell it back to the cell phone company to be reused. Those related programs are not inclusive with computers. Testing the why: People get rid of their old computer when the newest computer comes out and makes their old one look like a “dinosaur.” There are ways to recycle computers now. However, news reports have risen stating they found computers in third world countries meant to be recycled but were not. (https://www.cnn.com/2013/05/30/world/asia/china-electronic-waste-e-waste/index.html) Interview #1: In this interview, the interviewee did not realize the gravity of their choices with the way they disposed of their laptop. In the past, he has just dropped them off at a local best buy to sell it to them for parts. He honestly did not think there were any other options. He even explained that he felt embarrassed about not knowing any other option. Interview #2: The interviewee in this interview had their laptop provided by their employer. She explained that she believes that it should be her employer's responsibility to get rid of the computer in an eco-friendly way since her computer has to be returned to the I.T. department when she gets a new computer every 3 years. Interview #3: This interviewee is the owner of his own business and supplies the computers for all his employees. He is frustrated with paying large amounts of money to get his old computers recycled. He wants both the convenience of the location being nearby his office and the price to be reasonable. Interview #4: This college student at U.F. uses their computer for everyday use. This interviewee has only had 2 computers in his entire life. He has no clue about the first thing when it comes to recycling computers. With that being said he thinks computer recycling programs should be more available to the public and advertised more intensely. Interview #5: An engineer that uses many computers for their work. He explained that he recycles his computer through a local system but does not trust the system he is using. He continued to say that the only reason he still uses the system is that he does not have any other options in his area. He would make the best eco-friendly decision if the option was available to him. What did you learn about your opportunity that you did not know before?: In the first interview, I found it surprising that even after stories about the failing computer recycling programs being on the news he had little knowledge about recycling programs in general. This means there is an even larger problem of a lack of awareness of computer recycling programs. For the engineer, I did sense a large amount of frustration about getting rid of computers. He seemed disappointed that this a problem that more people were trying to solve. All the interviewees did mention something about their current computer recycling system that did not satisfy them. However, equally, as notable as none of the problems were repeated. This means every person does have a different need when it comes to computer recycling.