Mission
Free Geek Vancouver is a registered non-profit (#S51527) community organization 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.
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 14 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 14 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, #95, #20, #16, #14, #7 or #4 east-bound on Hastings, to Commercial.
Can I call you?
Yes, our phone number is (604) 879-4335. This will however provide you with the same information you can find on this Web site. The store does not take calls.
How can I drop off?
Feel free to bring e-waste through the back door of our facility during regular hours. If you have more than 15 computers to drop off at a time, please come in before 5 pm.
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 $50 - $100. 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 give us a call 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, and media. 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.
Can I volunteer?
Yes!
But I don't know anything about computers. Can I still volunteer?
Yes!
How do I start volunteering?
Visit our facility any time during our regular hours. You can also email volunteer@freegeekvancouver.org for more information, or to book an orientation.
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 Thrift Store are found on the Pricing 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.
When I call the Thrift Store, I hear a message. What gives?
Currently the Thrift Store does not take phone calls. Our store front is usually very busy, and the staff are working hard to make sure our customers leave happy. If you have questions about products or prices, please check out the Price Guideline, email us at sales@freegeekvancouver.org, or come visit us in person.
How do I get tech support?
Our staff are too busy during regular hours to give tech support. We do, however, provide free tech support during Open Help Night. 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, #95, #20, #16, #14, #7 or #4 east-bound on Hastings, to Commercial.
Can I call you?
Yes, our phone number is (604) 879-4335. This will however provide you with the same information you can find on this Web site. The store does not take calls.
How can I drop off?
Feel free to bring e-waste through the back door of our facility during regular hours. If you have more than 15 computers to drop off at a time, please come in before 5 pm.
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 $50 - $100. 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 give us a call 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, and media. 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.
Can I volunteer?
Yes!
But I don't know anything about computers. Can I still volunteer?
Yes!
How do I start volunteering?
Visit our facility any time during our regular hours. You can also email volunteer@freegeekvancouver.org for more information, or to book an orientation.
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 Thrift Store are found on the Pricing 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.
When I call the Thrift Store, I hear a message. What gives?
Currently the Thrift Store does not take phone calls. Our store front is usually very busy, and the staff are working hard to make sure our customers leave happy. If you have questions about products or prices, please check out the Price Guideline, email us at sales@freegeekvancouver.org, or come visit us in person.
How do I get tech support?
Our staff are too busy during regular hours to give tech support. We do, however, provide free tech support during Open Help Night. 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