The USDA ARS Cropping Systems and Water Quality Research Unit has won several awards for environmental stewardship of electronics, including a Gold Level award in 2007 and Silver Level award in 2006 in the Federal Electronics Challenge.

The Federal Electronics Challenge encourages federal facilities and agencies to purchase greener electronic products, reduce impacts of electronic products during use and manage obsolete electronics in an environmentally safe way.

USDA ARS CSWQRU was also a winner in the 2006-2007 and 2005-2006 Electronics Reuse and Recycling Campaigns in the small facility (150 employees or fewer), midwest region, civilian category.  Starting on America Recycles Day, November 15, 2006, and for a four-month period, federal facilities competed to see who could reuse and recycle the most computers and other electronics.

CSWQRU donates obsolete computer systems through the Computers for Learning program to the only high school group in Missouri recognized as Microsoft® Authorized Refurbishers--the “Students Working to Advance Technology” or “SWAT” Team at North Callaway High School in Kingdom City, Missouri.  The SWAT Team refurbishes used computers which then have a second life in schools.

For more information, visit the FEC at www.federalelectronicschallenge.net
or email Michelle Pruitt, IT Specialist at pruittm@missouri.edu