Today is Earth Day, the perfect time to consider what you can do to limit your carbon footprint.
One relatively easy way to help out is by embracing the “Circular Economy” movement.
According to the Ellen MacArthur Foundation, “The circular economy is based on three principles, driven by design – to eliminate waste and pollution; to circulate products and materials at their highest value and to regenerate nature.” The circular economy also spurs economic growth because it creates new job opportunities in areas like recycling and sustainable design. Circular economy offers social benefits because it encourages an equitable distribution of resources.
For the last 15 years, the California Assistive Technology Reuse Coalition has been leading the charge toward circular economy by encouraging people with disabilities and medical conditions to donate and reuse assistive technology devices and durable medical equipment. Once donated, CATRC reclaims and redistributes pre-owned equipment by “taking it in, evaluating its workability, repairing if needed, cleaning and sanitizing it and passing it on to a new owner for little or no cost.”
Examples of the types of durable medical equipment that CATRC may provide includes “manual wheelchairs, shower chairs, patient lifts, walkers, power wheelchairs, scooters and hospital beds.” Assistive technology devices that may be available include “reachers, magnifiers, switches and remotes.” High tech electronic assistive technology offerings include “personal digital assistants (PDAs), global positioning systems (GPS), augmentative communication devices (AAC), computers, tablets and cell phones.”
While CATRC is specifically geared toward Californians, AT reuse opportunities are available in many states and through various agencies. Some of these include
- Oak Hill Assistive Technology in Hartford, Connecticut
- Paraquad in St. Louis, Missouri
- REquipment, in Woburn, Massachusetts
- Spurwink AllTech in Portland, Maine
- Changing Hands, in Central Pennsylvania
Interesting in getting involved in Earth Day activities?
CATRC offers its own Accessible Earth Day Guide. Download it here.
