Motor City Free Geek is raising funds to expand our e-cycling operation. With your support, we can reduce electronic waste at a faster rate and provide refurbished computers to individuals and organizations who cannot buy them.
What is Motor City Free Geek?
Motor City Free Geek is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization founded in 2009 in the Detroit metropolitan area (Wayne, Oakland, Macomb counties). We accept computers and computer-related products, which get refurbished and placed back into service if they
have useful life remaining. Some refurbished computers are gifted to individuals or non-profit organizations who cannot afford to buy a PC, thereby increasing the benefit to the community for recycling. Others get sold and the funds are used to cover our expenses.
We load open source software onto refurbished computers and offer training on its use. If a device is beyond its useful life, it gets broken down and recycled in accordance with strict environmental standards. All of this work is done by volunteers who learn
to repair, refurbish, and break down these electronics or perform other tasks necessary to run our operation.
Motor City Free Geek is recognized by:
What is the problem with e-waste?
Consider these facts cited by the Environmental Protection Agency and other environmental groups:
• E-waste is the fastest growing municipal waste stream in America.
• Millions of computers, printers, TVs, and other electronics become obsolete each year in the U.S. These items contain hazardous materials such as lead, mercury, cadmium, and other heavy metals not suitable for landfills or incinerators.
• Electronic recycling estimates range from 12 to 25 percent. The rest gets discarded in landfills or incinerators, which can release harmful toxins into the air, soil, and water.
• Investigation of e-waste recycling has revealed that some “recyclers” simply sell discarded electronics to brokers who ship it to other countries where it eventually gets dumped or burned, creating environmental hazards for people with no resources to
deal with the consequences.
• Electronics are made from valuable resources such as precious metals, copper, and engineered plastics, all of which require considerable energy to process and manufacture. It takes 539 lbs of fossil fuel, 48 lbs of chemicals, and 1.5 tons of water to manufacture
one computer and monitor.
What can be done about the e-Waste problem?
A large amount of what is considered "e-waste" is actually not waste at all, but rather, whole electronic equipment or parts that are readily marketable for reuse or can be recycled for materials recovery. Electronics breakdown and recycling recovers valuable
materials and as a result, reduces greenhouse gas emissions and pollution, saves energy, and saves resources by extracting fewer raw materials from the earth.
We need your help to change this ...
To this ...
How is Motor City Free Geek addressing the problem of e-waste?
Step 1: Cycle refurbished products back into the community
Refurbishing used, but still operating, electronics for reuse extends the lives of valuable products and keeps them out of the waste stream. Reuse, in addition to being an environmentally preferable alternative, can also benefit the community. At Motor
City Free Geek, computers are assessed, overhauled as needed, and loaded with open source (free) software, such as Linux and Open Office. They are then offered to nonprofit agencies or individuals who cannot afford a computer, or sold and the proceeds are
used to cover our operational costs.
Step 2: Recycle
For computer components that have surpassed their useful life, the next best thing is responsible breakdown and recycling. At Motor City Free Geek, the computers get broken down into their steel, copper, aluminum, and plastic parts, then processed by recyclers
who are certified to handle these components in accordance with strict environmental standards.
Visit our website at
http://www.motorcityfreegeek.net to learn more about our organization.
With your help, we can make a larger impact!
------------------------------ HOW CAN I HELP? ------------------------------
Step 1 - Donate! Enter a dollar amount in the box at the top of this page or click one of the Support Now buttons in the grey box to
make a donation today. Any amount you can give will make a difference! Motor City Free Geek is a 501(c)(3) organization, and your donation is tax-deductible to the extent allowed by tax law.
Step 2 - Pass it on! Share this campaign with all of your family and friends who care about the health of our planet. Use the share buttons to spread the word via social media, or send a personal email.
