Electronics Recycling Association president asks public for old computers

Bojan Paduh, founder and president of the Electronic Recycling Association (ERA), a Vancouver, British Columbia-based nonprofit focused on recycling and refurbishing obsolete electronics, has released a statement asking the public for its unwanted computer equipment.

Paduh is asking the public to consider donating unwanted or retiring computer equipment to ERA, who he says will then refurbish and donate the equipment to Canadian charities in need of computers. He says while requests for computers from nonprofits have been consistent, incoming donations have not been as steady.

“It has been a unique several months,” says Paduh. “Requests for computer donations are coming in as usual but we aren’t receiving the same amount of retiring corporate equipment, so we can’t keep up.”

He continues, “Most people have old equipment stored somewhere. Even if it isn’t working, our techs can often fix it or use parts to build operational computers. It doesn’t cost anything [and] it frees up valuable storage space. We always ensure data security as our top priority and many times we can even come pick up equipment for free.”

Low-income individuals who cannot afford computers or laptops can volunteer their time at ERA’s warehouses across Canada to earn a computer or laptop, says the association. ERA also says it donates computer equipment to Canadian charities and nonprofits and that it has an e-waste fundraising program that allows participants to raise money for charitable causes by collecting e-waste.

Established in 2004, ERA accepts donations of unwanted computer hardware and related equipment from companies and individuals.