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 job skills training 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.
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.
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 modelled 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 modelled after the original Free Geek which founded in Portland, OR in 2000.
Meet Our Team - Staff
Mike Frost
Laptop Production / Production Manager
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Steve Lee
Store Manager / Desktop Production |
Leo Arzola
Warehouse Manager
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Chris Williams
Desktop Production
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Belejeb Santin
Store Manager
|
Catarina Moreno
Executive Director
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Meet Our Team - Board
David Lloyd (Chair)
Robert Pilkington (Vice-chair)
Jordan Jones (Treasurer)
Diana Chiu (Director)
David Lloyd (Chair)
Robert Pilkington (Vice-chair)
Jordan Jones (Treasurer)
Diana Chiu (Director)
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. Please note, we are a reuse organization and we are grateful if you can take recycling to your nearest recycling facility.
Feel free to bring your equipment 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?
We are only able to host a small number of volunteers. The first step is to attend a volunteer orientation, you can find information on when the next one is scheduled via our social media and on this website.
But I don't know anything about computers. Can I still volunteer?
Yes, there are some roles that do not require tech knowledge.
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 contact the Store?
Please email us at sales@freegeekvancouver.org.
How do I get tech support?
Check our Website or social media for repair cafes.
Our staff do not provide 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. Please note, we are a reuse organization and we are grateful if you can take recycling to your nearest recycling facility.
Feel free to bring your equipment 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?
We are only able to host a small number of volunteers. The first step is to attend a volunteer orientation, you can find information on when the next one is scheduled via our social media and on this website.
But I don't know anything about computers. Can I still volunteer?
Yes, there are some roles that do not require tech knowledge.
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 contact the Store?
Please email us at sales@freegeekvancouver.org.
How do I get tech support?
Check our Website or social media for repair cafes.
Our staff do not provide tech support.
If your computer or laptop is under warranty, please return it during store hours.
Press
Repair Cafe Interview May 2022
Fair Child Television - Repair Cafe Project Interview
Free Geek Vancouver Feature June 2022
East Village - Hasting North BIA
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
Fair Child Television - Repair Cafe Project Interview
Free Geek Vancouver Feature June 2022
East Village - Hasting North BIA
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