As most of you know Drake Hardware and Software has been involved in e-waste recycling for quite some time now (read our e-waste page). Does anyone know what happens to the items we collect? E-waste Drake Hardware & Software collects is hauled by semi-truck to Walford, Iowa where technicians disassemble the units into pieces that can be recycled. Midwest Electronic Recovery (MER) distributes the recyclable pieces; metal is sent to the smelters, plastic to the plastic recyclers, and usable parts are sometimes re-sold at a reduced price.

Some pieces are recycled in a more unconventional way. We at Drake Hardware & Software disassemble the old computers in order to donate power supplies to SWIM.

Greg and Vickie Stout, creators of Safe Water International Ministries (S.W.I.M.) use the power supplies from old computers to power their chlorine generators. They produce a system that creates a simple, safe, portable chlorine generator for disinfection of water.

Using the proven method of chlorination as a disinfectant, S.W.I.M. creates water purifiers that can be taken to a village or town in need of clean water. These devices generate chlorine and other oxidants by the electrolysis of common table salt. They emit no harmful by-products and take only minutes to be trained on how to use. The units do not produce dangerous chlorine gas or harmful by-products, but a chlorine, hydrogen peroxide and Ozone solution that is more effective than chlorine alone. They also use a very highly effective ceramic filter system that operates via gravity. The produced chlorine can then be added to water to purify it.

With 12 volts of power from either a revamped computer power supply or a battery, they are going from town to town in places like Nicaragua to show the locals how to purify their water using chlorine. These devices are small enough to be used by one family, yet are capable of meeting the needs of an entire village of 1000 people!

25,000 people die every day from diseases related to water and they are taking steps to remedy this crisis. Contaminated water is responsible for diseases such as cholera, typhoid, malaria, schistosomiasis, hepatitis, diarrhea, and intestinal worms. Also 20% of the world lacks access to safe water; which comes to roughly 1 billion people without drinkable water.

This non-profit ministry is making a difference in the quality of life for thousands of people, using simple technology and a little ingenuity. They give these devices to communities and train them on how to use them, free of charge. Not only that, they also take the time to help with vision problems, health education, sanitation, building projects and wells when possible. Through these good deeds they also spread the gospel and the gift of 'living water'.

For more information on S.W.I.M. you can visit www.swimforhim.net or call (614) 933-4345.