Mission
Free Geek Vancouver is a registered non-profit (#S51527) community organization that started with the simple idea, that everyone should have a computer, that reduces the environmental impact of waste electronics by reusing and recycling donated technology. Through community engagement we provide education, job skills training, Internet access and free or low cost computers to the public.
Principles
We provide a place for people to share technology in a way that is environmentally sensitive and socially progressive. We believe in transparency, accountability, and sustainability.
Reducing Environmental Impact of E-waste
We dispose of equipment in an ethical and environmentally responsible manner. We're a reuse and recycling centre, and a large part of our mission is environmental.
Reuse is the most desirable fate for old electronics. Finding a new home for an existing piece of technology generally requires less energy and produces fewer pollutants than any method of recycling.
Recycling regionally and ethically is the next-best choice for old electronics. We recycle as locally as possible to minimize transportation, and so that we can build relationships with recyclers and have confidence in their methods. We aim to recycle in British Columbia where possible, but will otherwise use Canadian and American recyclers.
In accordance with the Basel Convention, we absolutely refuse to send materials to non-OECD countries.
Free and Open Source Software
We use free and open source software wherever possible, and promote the open source movement through transparent collaboration with others. The free software philosophy, with its emphasis on mutual assistance and freedom, is important to what we are; all of our software, documentation, and policies are open.
We provide low- and no-cost computer technology and training to our community. We believe that empowering people is an essential part of equipping them. Rather than just dropping free hardware on folks, we want to educate them, and facilitate their self-sufficiency. We also want to involve them in creating a community where they can circulate their knowledge and empower others.
Transparent Consensus-Based Organization
At Free Geek, we encourage active participation from everywhere within the organization, whether it is from a volunteer, a member of staff, or a director. All of our meetings use a consensus-based decision-making process, and the resulting meeting minutes are available for anyone to review, on our public wiki.
Reducing Environmental Impact of E-waste
We dispose of equipment in an ethical and environmentally responsible manner. We're a reuse and recycling centre, and a large part of our mission is environmental.
Reuse is the most desirable fate for old electronics. Finding a new home for an existing piece of technology generally requires less energy and produces fewer pollutants than any method of recycling.
Recycling regionally and ethically is the next-best choice for old electronics. We recycle as locally as possible to minimize transportation, and so that we can build relationships with recyclers and have confidence in their methods. We aim to recycle in British Columbia where possible, but will otherwise use Canadian and American recyclers.
In accordance with the Basel Convention, we absolutely refuse to send materials to non-OECD countries.
Free and Open Source Software
We use free and open source software wherever possible, and promote the open source movement through transparent collaboration with others. The free software philosophy, with its emphasis on mutual assistance and freedom, is important to what we are; all of our software, documentation, and policies are open.
We provide low- and no-cost computer technology and training to our community. We believe that empowering people is an essential part of equipping them. Rather than just dropping free hardware on folks, we want to educate them, and facilitate their self-sufficiency. We also want to involve them in creating a community where they can circulate their knowledge and empower others.
Transparent Consensus-Based Organization
At Free Geek, we encourage active participation from everywhere within the organization, whether it is from a volunteer, a member of staff, or a director. All of our meetings use a consensus-based decision-making process, and the resulting meeting minutes are available for anyone to review, on our public wiki.
Free Geek Vancouver appoints Catarina Moreno as Executive Director
The Board of Directors of Free Geek Vancouver is pleased to announce the appointment of Catarina
Moreno as the society’s Executive Director. Catarina brings more than 15 years experience as a strategic
leader and consultant within the social change sector.
We consider ourselves very fortunate and are very excited to have Catarina joining our
team. Her combination of energy, non-profit managerial experience and commitment to the
sustainability sector make her an ideal fit for the organization. We believe she is the leader
Free Geek needs to build our recycling/sustainability activities and extend our programs to
make technology accessible for everyone in the community.
~ David Lloyd
Board Chair
Catarina joins Free Geek Vancouver after recently serving as a strategy consultant supporting small and
medium-sized businesses and trade associations across Western Canada and as the Interim Executive
Director for a number of organizations, including QMUNITY, Pivot Legal Society, VAST and the
Vancouver Japanese Language School and Hall (VJLS - JH). She brings a unique combination of hands-
on non-profit management, business acumen, governance expertise as well as a focus on strategy.
Before arriving in Canada to pursue her graduate studies, she grew up in Europe, worked across South
America and has been calling Vancouver home for ten years. Her commitment to protecting BC’s wild
spaces, sustainability and zero waste has seen her be an advocate for the buy-nothing movement, serve as
the board chair for CPAWS BC and consult with several environmental organizations.
Free Geek Vancouver welcomes Catarina to our small but mighty team of staff and volunteers!
I am excited to join Free Geek Vancouver as their work sits at a key intersection of
sustainability and a strong social justice focus. Not only is e-waste a growing problem
worldwide but COVID has exposed once again that the digital divide runs along the same
fault lines as other forms of marginalization. By keeping tech out of landfills and fighting for
access to technology as a fundamental right, Free Geek Vancouver is making change happen
and I am honoured to be part of the team!
~ Catarina Moreno
Free Geek Vancouver is a registered non-profit (#S51527) community organization that started with the
simple idea, that everyone should have a computer, that reduces the environmental impact of waste
electronics by reusing and recycling donated technology. Through community engagement we provide
education, job skills training, Internet access and free or low cost computers to the public.
www.freegeekvancouver.org
For more information contact:
David Lloyd (Board Chair)
davidlloyd@freegeekvancouver.org
Catarina Moreno (Executive Director)
catarina@freegeekvancouver.org
Moreno as the society’s Executive Director. Catarina brings more than 15 years experience as a strategic
leader and consultant within the social change sector.
We consider ourselves very fortunate and are very excited to have Catarina joining our
team. Her combination of energy, non-profit managerial experience and commitment to the
sustainability sector make her an ideal fit for the organization. We believe she is the leader
Free Geek needs to build our recycling/sustainability activities and extend our programs to
make technology accessible for everyone in the community.
~ David Lloyd
Board Chair
Catarina joins Free Geek Vancouver after recently serving as a strategy consultant supporting small and
medium-sized businesses and trade associations across Western Canada and as the Interim Executive
Director for a number of organizations, including QMUNITY, Pivot Legal Society, VAST and the
Vancouver Japanese Language School and Hall (VJLS - JH). She brings a unique combination of hands-
on non-profit management, business acumen, governance expertise as well as a focus on strategy.
Before arriving in Canada to pursue her graduate studies, she grew up in Europe, worked across South
America and has been calling Vancouver home for ten years. Her commitment to protecting BC’s wild
spaces, sustainability and zero waste has seen her be an advocate for the buy-nothing movement, serve as
the board chair for CPAWS BC and consult with several environmental organizations.
Free Geek Vancouver welcomes Catarina to our small but mighty team of staff and volunteers!
I am excited to join Free Geek Vancouver as their work sits at a key intersection of
sustainability and a strong social justice focus. Not only is e-waste a growing problem
worldwide but COVID has exposed once again that the digital divide runs along the same
fault lines as other forms of marginalization. By keeping tech out of landfills and fighting for
access to technology as a fundamental right, Free Geek Vancouver is making change happen
and I am honoured to be part of the team!
~ Catarina Moreno
Free Geek Vancouver is a registered non-profit (#S51527) community organization that started with the
simple idea, that everyone should have a computer, that reduces the environmental impact of waste
electronics by reusing and recycling donated technology. Through community engagement we provide
education, job skills training, Internet access and free or low cost computers to the public.
www.freegeekvancouver.org
For more information contact:
David Lloyd (Board Chair)
davidlloyd@freegeekvancouver.org
Catarina Moreno (Executive Director)
catarina@freegeekvancouver.org
History
Free Geek Vancouver was registered in on December 6, 2006.
We started with a small number of volunteers who strongly believed in the social and environmental good of reusing and recycling unwanted computers, and have grown to an organization with 8 employees and over hundreds of new volunteers every year.
We are one of several autonomous Free Geek organizations located throughout the world. Our mission and principles were modeled after the original Free Geek which founded in Portland, OR in 2000.
We started with a small number of volunteers who strongly believed in the social and environmental good of reusing and recycling unwanted computers, and have grown to an organization with 8 employees and over hundreds of new volunteers every year.
We are one of several autonomous Free Geek organizations located throughout the world. Our mission and principles were modeled after the original Free Geek which founded in Portland, OR in 2000.
FAQ - Frequently Asked Questions
When are you open?
See hours of operation here.
Where are you located?
1820 Pandora Street, Vancouver, BC, V5L 1M5
We are near the corner of Pandora and Salsbury. The corner is two blocks north of Hastings Street, and one block west of Victoria Drive (one block East of Commercial Drive).
How do I get to 1820 Pandora Street on transit?
You can take the SkyTrain to Commercial Station, and then take the #20 bus northbound on Commercial, to E. Hastings. If you're coming from Downtown Vancouver, you can take the #135, #R5, #20, #16, #14, #7 or #4 east-bound on Hastings, to Commercial.
Can I call you?
At this time we have no active phone service
How can I drop off?
Please read up on what we will take first.
Feel free to bring e-waste through the back door of our facility Wed to Sat 11am to 5pm.
Can I drop off anywhere else?
At the moment, our only location is our facility in Vancouver.
What can I drop off?
Our list of accepted items is here.
Do you take [item]?
Maybe! Again, check here.
Is there a fee for dropping off?
Nope! But, please consider making a $ donation to help us cover our costs.
Do you pick up?
We pick up from commercial locations anywhere in the Lower Mainland for a fee of $100-200. We do not pick up from residential locations.
I have over 100 computers to drop off. What should I do?
If you are an individual who wishes to make a large drop off, please contact us first, and we can prepare the facility to receive the drop off.
If you are an organization at a commercial location, we can arrange to pick up for a fee.
Will my data be safe?
We have an ethical data destruction policy, and a commitment to your privacy. We completely erase or destroy all donated hard drives, cell phones. At no point is your data visible to anyone or any piece of software. We also offer a Certificate of Data Destruction for a fee of $10 per hard drive. Media such as CD's, DVD's, tape and Floppy's are destroyed off site by a e waste recycler with their own certified data destruction policy, however we cannot guarantee this, so we recommend that all sensitive data should be destroyed or archived, drop off at your own risk.
Can I volunteer?
If you feel you have skills that would benefit us, please send a resume to volunteer@freegeekvancouver.org we will contact you if we can use you.
But I don't know anything about computers. Can I still volunteer?
Contact us.
What do I need to do to earn a free desktop computer?
You must volunteer for 24 hours.
How much is [item]?
The prices for most of the items in our Store are found on the Guideline on our wiki. Unusual or special items will be individually priced.
Do you sell Windows?
No, we do not sell any Operating Systems.
Do you accept Debit, Visa, MasterCard, American Express?
Yes!
Do you trade?
No, sorry.
Do you sell your scrap?
Yes, in certain cases. For people such as artists or set designers, please contact us. We ask that all scrap be donated when it is no longer needed.
How do I call the Store?
questions about products or prices, please check out the Guideline, email us at sales@freegeekvancouver.org.
How do I get tech support?
Check our Website or social media for virtual repair cafes.
Our staff are too busy during regular hours to give tech support. If your computer or laptop is under warranty, please return it during store hours.
See hours of operation here.
Where are you located?
1820 Pandora Street, Vancouver, BC, V5L 1M5
We are near the corner of Pandora and Salsbury. The corner is two blocks north of Hastings Street, and one block west of Victoria Drive (one block East of Commercial Drive).
How do I get to 1820 Pandora Street on transit?
You can take the SkyTrain to Commercial Station, and then take the #20 bus northbound on Commercial, to E. Hastings. If you're coming from Downtown Vancouver, you can take the #135, #R5, #20, #16, #14, #7 or #4 east-bound on Hastings, to Commercial.
Can I call you?
At this time we have no active phone service
How can I drop off?
Please read up on what we will take first.
Feel free to bring e-waste through the back door of our facility Wed to Sat 11am to 5pm.
Can I drop off anywhere else?
At the moment, our only location is our facility in Vancouver.
What can I drop off?
Our list of accepted items is here.
Do you take [item]?
Maybe! Again, check here.
Is there a fee for dropping off?
Nope! But, please consider making a $ donation to help us cover our costs.
Do you pick up?
We pick up from commercial locations anywhere in the Lower Mainland for a fee of $100-200. We do not pick up from residential locations.
I have over 100 computers to drop off. What should I do?
If you are an individual who wishes to make a large drop off, please contact us first, and we can prepare the facility to receive the drop off.
If you are an organization at a commercial location, we can arrange to pick up for a fee.
Will my data be safe?
We have an ethical data destruction policy, and a commitment to your privacy. We completely erase or destroy all donated hard drives, cell phones. At no point is your data visible to anyone or any piece of software. We also offer a Certificate of Data Destruction for a fee of $10 per hard drive. Media such as CD's, DVD's, tape and Floppy's are destroyed off site by a e waste recycler with their own certified data destruction policy, however we cannot guarantee this, so we recommend that all sensitive data should be destroyed or archived, drop off at your own risk.
Can I volunteer?
If you feel you have skills that would benefit us, please send a resume to volunteer@freegeekvancouver.org we will contact you if we can use you.
But I don't know anything about computers. Can I still volunteer?
Contact us.
What do I need to do to earn a free desktop computer?
You must volunteer for 24 hours.
How much is [item]?
The prices for most of the items in our Store are found on the Guideline on our wiki. Unusual or special items will be individually priced.
Do you sell Windows?
No, we do not sell any Operating Systems.
Do you accept Debit, Visa, MasterCard, American Express?
Yes!
Do you trade?
No, sorry.
Do you sell your scrap?
Yes, in certain cases. For people such as artists or set designers, please contact us. We ask that all scrap be donated when it is no longer needed.
How do I call the Store?
questions about products or prices, please check out the Guideline, email us at sales@freegeekvancouver.org.
How do I get tech support?
Check our Website or social media for virtual repair cafes.
Our staff are too busy during regular hours to give tech support. If your computer or laptop is under warranty, please return it during store hours.
Wiki
You can read meeting minutes, our bylaws, information for volunteers, and a lot more on our Wiki.
Press
Little Tech Shop of Horrors: Free Geek Vlog Part 1
Linus Tech Tips
Trying to Get Some Actual Work Done: Free Geek Vlog Part 2
Linus Tech Tips
Cellphones for seniors program launches in the Downtown Eastside
Lori Culbert, Vancouver Sun, December 2, 2013
Old computers are new again
Matt Kieltyka, 24 Hours Vancouver, June 21, 2010
FOSS helps Free Geek Vancouver become an ethical recycler
Bruce Byfield, Linux.com, May 23, 2008
Appearance on “Tech Talk/Get Connected” (Season 2, Episode 3)
Free Geek Vancouver - Community Technology Centre
Cruz, Herb, Vancouver Metblogs, March 27, 2007
Linus Tech Tips
Trying to Get Some Actual Work Done: Free Geek Vlog Part 2
Linus Tech Tips
Cellphones for seniors program launches in the Downtown Eastside
Lori Culbert, Vancouver Sun, December 2, 2013
Old computers are new again
Matt Kieltyka, 24 Hours Vancouver, June 21, 2010
FOSS helps Free Geek Vancouver become an ethical recycler
Bruce Byfield, Linux.com, May 23, 2008
Appearance on “Tech Talk/Get Connected” (Season 2, Episode 3)
Free Geek Vancouver - Community Technology Centre
Cruz, Herb, Vancouver Metblogs, March 27, 2007