We love sharing about like-minded organizations that are working to address the environmental impacts of waste with an innovative approach. In today’s blog, Green Coast Rubbish is delighted to introduce the Electronic Recycling Association (ERA) – a non profit that is doing amazing work to reduce e-waste while bettering the community with their computer donation and recycling program.
Who they are:
The non-profit Electronic Recycling Association is addressing the growing problem of e-waste and the increasing ‘digital divide’ by offering simple solutions to help individuals and organizations prevent operational equipment from premature destruction. With a focus on recovery, refurbishment, and reuse, ERA supplies charitable groups with donated IT equipment while securely managing the retiring IT assets of organizations and individuals across Canada.
There are a variety of options available to connect with the ERA and use their e-waste recycling services:
- Attend a free event co-sponsored by the ERA.
- Electronics recycling for organizations.
- Drop off e-waste at an ERA depot in North America; the local depot is in Richmond, BC.
Free E-Waste Recycling Events
A variety of local Metro Vancouver police departments have been partnering with the Electronic Recycling Association to offer free electronics recycling and data destruction events. This is great way to safely dispose of your electronics! Check out a free event in your area:
Port Moody
Free Data Destruction & Electronic Recycling Event
March 4, 2023 from 10 am – 2 pm at the Port Moody City Hall Round-a-Bout 1000 Newport DR, Port Moody, BC, V3H 5C3 … more
West Vancouver
Free Data Destruction & Electronic Recycling Event
March 11, 2023 from 10 am – 3 pm at the West Vancouver Police Department Headquarters Building, 755 16th Street, West Vancouver, BC V7V 0B8 (north Parking Lot) … more
New Westminster
Free Data Destruction & Electronic Recycling Event
March 18, 2023 from 10 am – 4 pm at the New Westminster City Hall parking lot, 511 Royal Ave, New Westminster, BC V3L 1H9 … more
Electronics recycling for organizations:
E-waste recycling is made easy with the ERA collection process for organizations looking to recycle everything from laptops and desktop computers to servers and hard drives. Book a pickup and the ERA team will come to your location with their trucks to collect disposable electronics.
As data security is central to providing safe e-waste recycling, the ERA provides secure data wiping and data destruction services before refurbishing and donating the items to charitable organizations in need.
Notable quotes:
“We are proud to provide charities, non-profits, schools and care facilities all across Canada with the computers they require for their programs. This gives them access to reliable technology while allowing them to apply their resources to what they’re good at, developing programs to help Canadians struggling with poverty, health concerns or are otherwise experiencing misfortune.”
– Bojan Paduh, Founder and President of the Electronic Recycling (Reusing) Association.
“We are pumped to have made a recent connection with the Electronic Recycling Association and to share their story. This is exactly the type of program that needs more attention and traction in Canada and internationally as the environmental impacts of improperly disposed of e-waste continue to be observed. These are non-biodegradable, toxic materials from computers, laptops, servers, printers and other electronic products that the ERA is demonstrating are not only recyclable and reusable but also provide tremendous value to our communities.”
– Eamonn Duignan, President & CEO, Green Coast Rubbish
Spread the word:
We were fascinated to learn that the ERA has a list of over 1,000 charitable organizations that are in urgent need of IT related devices that are too expensive to purchase new.
So to recap, the ERA collects electronics from individuals and companies for recycling, the data security team goes to work wiping the devices, and the refurbished computers, laptops, monitors, printers, etc. are donated to deserving charitable organizations who are doing important work in our communities.
Who do you know that needs to know about this program? Let’s spread the word!
Learn more:
For more information on the Electronic Recycling Association, please visit the ERA website.