FreeGeek Central Florida

We know that technology is constantly changing, and that devices often pass their prime in a matter of years (or months). So what do you do with that computer you bought a few years ago when you’re ready to upgrade? The first answer is that you don’t simply throw it out. Electronic scraps in computers, cell phones, TVs, refrigerators, and other devices can include plenty of nasty ingredients that can harm the environment and the human workers who transport them. These include beryllium, cadmium, lead, mercury, and brominated flame retardants. Meanwhile, the EPA regards cathode ray tubes (CRTs, which are used in computer monitors and television screens) as “hazardous household waste.” Unfortunately, most of this ends up in landfills or incinerators.So what options are there? The good news is that even electronic devices that have passed their natural age can still deliver some good, whether its by being stripped for parts or donated to charity organizations. At the very least, the lead and gold can be removed from the environment. When it comes to recycling, particularly of computers, there are many options that consumers may not know about. For example, did you know that you could send in your old computer to the manufacturer (in most cases) or donate it to a charity for a tax deduction?Free Geek is an organization that addresses the issues of computer waste and also provides a social service to the community by making computer technology available to those without financial resources. The organization, which was founded in Portland, Oregon in 2000, now maintains volunteer-run chapters across the country. These chapters accept donations from individuals and restore the computers to working order, equipping them with the Ubuntu Linux operating system and other free software. These computers are then sent out to charities, or sold at enormous discounts in a Free Geek Thrift Store.