Free Geek Twin Cities

We provide the community with access to affordable technology. This technology comes from our thrift store and our donation programs. In 2022, we sold 20,000 donated items, giving them all a second life. We also sold 48 heavily subsidized computers for those in financial need.

We help our volunteers develop essential computer skills. Our volunteers work together in programs where they learn how to use, build and fix computers and other technology while learning about the life cycle of e-waste. In 2022, they logged 7,500 hours of service.

The rapid growth in technology has generated a mountain of electronic waste. Free Geek Twin Cities works to keep this electronic waste out of the landfill. Our goal is to reuse this material and refurbish it into new electronic devices. These refurbished devices are then sold in our thrift store or donated. When electronic waste cannot be re-used, we recycle it in an environmentally friendly and socially friendly way. In 2022, we recycled 65 tons of e-waste.

Re-use - in 2017, Free Geek Twin Cities refurbished 500 major items including computers, printers, and monitors, of which over 500 were sold below market prices enabling access and reuse by community members with limited incomes.

In 2016 200 new volunteers joined Free Geek Twin Cities and 496 volunteers donated 8000 hours of community service in exchange for work experience, training, and discounts on computer equipment ($40 credit toward equipment after 24 hours of volunteer hours).

Recycling - in 2016 Free Geek Twin Cities received more than 1000 major items including computers, printers, and monitors, of which over 60,000 pounds were recycled.

Reuse

Interest is reinvested in operating our facility

Sales of refurbished computers are invested in the programming and facility for Free Geek.

Income from recycling is invested in the programming and facility for Free Geek operations.