"The key to Libby's whole approach was his insistence on the infinite worth of every human being as God's creation, regardless of the offenses he may have committed against society, against himself and against his Maker."

Kenneth Bolton

GreenBYTE Program

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GreenBYTE Program encompasses two mutually supportive but distinct programs, the Computer Technology Program and the Employment Services Program. The current year marks the end of the third full year of operation for the Computer Technology Program and the second full year of operation for the Employment Services Program. The past year has simultaneously been a time of great challenge and accomplishment. We have experienced both financial challenges and a decrease in referrals to the program, while at the same time we have developed a new funding partner in the Ontario Trillium Foundation and established a new venture, the Rebyte Electronic Waste Recycling Program.

We would especially like to thank the numerous corporations, organizations and individuals who have contributed to the success of GreenBYTE through their donations of time, equipment, expertise and support. This includes:

Our Funding Partners:
• Correctional Service Canada
• CORCAN
• The Hamilton Community Foundation
• The Ontario Trillium Foundation
• Our Community Partners:
• The Hamilton CommunityNet
• The Hamilton East Kiwanis Boys and Girls Club
• Recycling Services

Our Volunteers:
• Boris, Mark, Doug, Wayne.

Our Staff:
• Brian, Linda, Mike, Tim, Kevin, Ed, Leo and Keeley.

Our Corporate Supporters:
• The City of Hamilton
• AIC Mutual Funds
• Aviva Canada (Formerly CGU Group Canada)
• The Big Brothers Association of Burlington and Hamilton
• The Children's Aid Society of Hamilton
• Catholic Family Services
• The Hamilton Public Library
• Recycling Services

And a special thanks to all those individual community members, who are unfortunately, too numerous to mention.

We expect the next year to be a time of great change and hopefully expansion for the program.

GreenBYTE Launches ReBYTE

Electronic trash is the only 'waste stream' on the rise in Canada, according to the October 2000 Environment Canada report, 'Information Technology and Telecommunications Waste in Canada.' In 2000 alone, Canadians threw out over 40,000 tons of this equipment. Disposal of computers, printers, scanners and other telecommunications equipment has emerged as a major environmental issue. During the 1990s only about 10 percent of this equipment was recycled or refurbished for reuse in Canada. This situation poses a significant potential environmental issue, as e-waste contains toxic materials that can be hazardous if not managed properly. In particular, the lead oxide used in the cathode ray tubes (CRTs) of computer monitors is a concern because it is in a soluble form.

The St. Leonard's Society of Hamilton, in collaboration with Recycling Services, is working to establish the third division of the GreenBYTE Program, the ReBYTE Electronic Waste Recycling Program. The purpose of this program will be to establish a private enterprise and not-for-profit cooperative venture, which will aim to address the issue of electronic waste disposal in the Hamilton area and surrounding regions. primary objective of this venture will be to establish a self-sustaining recycling venture. Secondary objectives will include the provision of training services and employment placement for hard to employ individuals.

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