GreenDisk gathers obsolete products from software manufacturers and then "reverses" the assembly process. Packages get broken down and the contents get sorted and directed to a wide network of recyclers. Floppy disks get sorted and run through a degaussing process to magnetically erase all data. The disks are then sorted, relabled, reformatted and thoroughly tested. The recycler refers to its disks as "worn" (written once, never read). Since the disks have only been used once, but passed quality control as many as three times, the resulting product is of excellent quality and integrity. Software publishers use only the highest quality disks, so that "GreenDisks" typically surpass in quality brand new disks available in retail stores. The below average cost and a lifetime guarantee provide a very good value for the cost conscious market.
GreenDisk, Inc.
Made from the best disks everyone else ever made!
GreenDisk, Inc., a new recycling business concept, was founded on April 22, 1993 (Earth Day) to provide a secure, economical method for recycling and reuse of software media and packaging materials that would otherwise go straight to landfills. Only a few years ago, around 240 million tons of obsolete software was thrown away each year. In response to the enormous disposal problem, David Beschen, former computer analyst and advertising executive, devised this novel approach which allows software manufacturers to dispose of their unused and outdated software and packaging while recycling almost all of the waste.Recycle Software
As software publishers release new versions, GreenDisk recycles the unsold, unopened packages. Practically everything can be recycled, including: diskettes and CD-ROM, paper items, packaging peanuts, shrink wrap, and even Tyvek(tm) disk sleeves and envelopes. Often, intact manuals and miscellaneous premiums (such as mouse pads and videos, and other promotional materials) can be returned directly to the manufacturer for reuse. GreenDisk can recycle up to 99.5 percent of the software materials, which represents about 750-1,000 tons of recycled materials per month. For every 100,000 packages they recycle, they reduce landfill wastes from 50,000 cubic feet to less than 50 cubic feet.Who Uses Recycled Disks?
GreenDisk supplies its high-quality recycled disks to office suppliers, large corporations, and the government. The programs offered by the company have received endorsement by the Software Publisher's Association. And GreenDisk products now appear in every major U.S. office supply catalog, are offered nationwide by retail dealers (including Washington-based Egghead Software) and wholesalers, and internationally by distributors in England and Australia. The state of Washington orders them, and GreenDisk supplies the U.S. government through General Services Administration Customer Supply Centers.
Green Growth
In just over three years, GreenDisk has grown to 96 employees with plants in Preston, Washington, San Jose, California, and Crawfordsville, Indiana. With plans for expansion, the company is currently seeking investors and plans a public stock offering. GreenDisk already has a joint venture with Green World, a distributor of "green" office products in Australia. Within a year, the company will own GreenDisk Proprietary Ltd., which is located in Melbourne and generates $250,000 in annual revenues. The company is also exploring opportunities for grants from some European governments to locate a plant in Europe.Valuable Services
For its corporate customers, GreenDisk's bonded recycling process efficiently provides for audited destruction of outdated software, thus terminating the intellectual property licenses and associated legal liabilities. And with the increase in disposal fees and a growing concern over product packaging and the environment, GreenDisk provides software publishers an opportunity to outsource some of its responsibility and save money. The company works closely with clients to keep software recycling simple, cost effective, and secure.Getting the Most out of Our Resources
GreenDisk was founded under the philosophy of getting the most out of all available resources; every action the company takes in finding new life for obsolete software packages stems from this concept. Beyond recycling, almost all of the materials it receives, the company works hard to network with its recycling vendors, software manufacturers, and others. GreenDisk coordinates the "reverse" assembly process, providing the coordination and audit trail for its customers, while relying on existing industries to accomplish the actual recycling. Thus, GreenDisk creates new, high-impact manufacturing jobs in the community and provides support for the recycling industry.Frontiers
GreenDisk is not too worried about the growth in distribution of software directly through the Internet or on CD-ROM. It recycles CD-ROM and the jewel cases they come in, and also expects diskettes to remain the industry standard for some time. GreenDisk has also started to manufacture brand new disks from recycled diskette materials using new high-quality media made by its partner, Fuji. And GreenDisk is also considering expanding into related areas, such as recycling unused video tapes in much the same way as it recycles disks. Says GreenDisk President David Beschen, "Recycling should be a part of every business, and we have helped make it a plus to the bottom line rather than a minus."GreenDisk, Inc. has pioneered a unique approach to recycling that provides a valuable service to software publishers and helps the environment while providing jobs for the economy.