Grants In Action

City of Portland, for Free Geek Community Technology Center

What we are doing?

The City of Portland Bureau of Planning and Sustainability applied for a DEQ solid waste reduction grant to support the operational expenses of Free Geek Community Technology Center, a 501(c)(3) non-profit that recycles technology and provides access to computers, the internet, education and job skills in exchange for community service.

Free Geek volunteers refurbish all reusable equipment. Volunteers who perform the required hours of service doing data entry, component testing or computer recycling tasks are eligible to receive a GNU/Linux OS computer with word processing, spreadsheet, presentation graphics, e-mail and web browser software installed. Volunteers receive training to do their assignments and are also trained on how to use their new computers. Free Geek also provides computers, training, office equipment and other technical support to non-profits in need.

Computer equipment that cannot be reused is taken apart and basic components are separated and sent for recycling. Free Geek sends about 500 tons of scrap electronics for recycling every year and rebuilt for reuse about 2,600 computers in 2009.

Where is it?

Free Geek is located at 1731 SE 10th Avenue in Portland and accepts donations of all computers and related hardware. It is a collection site for Oregon E-Cycles. Free Geek asks for monetary donations for individual pieces of hardware not covered by Oregon E-Cycles. These funds support the volunteer programs and operating expenses and are tax deductible.

Who is involved?

The City of Portland received a solid waste grant from DEQ in 2000 to support operating expenses of the Community Technology Center. In 2002, a second grant was awarded to provide construction materials and equipment to expand the center. Oso Martin founded Free Geek in 2000 and served as its executive director until 2006.

Why we are doing it?

Oregonians discard millions of pounds of electronics every year, and only a small portion of that waste is recycled. Electronics contain hazardous substances such as lead, cadmium and mercury that can harm us and the environment. Electronics also contain valuable materials such as gold, copper and aluminum that can be recycled and used in new products. Recycling keeps toxics out of our landfills and incinerators and conserves natural resources.

Soon after Free Geek opened in September 2000, articles appearing in the local media and word of mouth resulted in floods of donated hardware and volunteers. Volunteers came from all walks of life and with widely varied technical backgrounds. From industry professionals wanting to lend a hand to laid off construction workers looking to trade their free time for a refurbished computer, people from all over the Portland area participated in the program.

Total Project Cost

The 2000 DEQ grant of $41,070 was used to pay rental and utility expenses and to provide some of the executive director’s salary. Free Geek provided $47,109 in matching funds. The 2002 grant of $20,000 helped Free Geek expand to process the several tons of material backed up in a warehouse and accommodate a two-month waiting list of more than 200 potential volunteers. Less than six months later, the backed up material had been processed and the waiting list brought down to less than three weeks.

For more information about Free Geek, to go www.freegeek.org or call 503-232-9350. City of Portland Bureau of Planning and Sustainability information is at www.portlandonline.com/bps/index.cfm.

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