User:Thatwhoiswise/Electronic Recycling Association

The Electronic Recycling Association is a Calgary-based non-profit organization that collects and refurbishes aged electronics. Its components are typically either donated or sold at low prices to fellow charities, schools and non-profits. The ERA collects equipment from individuals or organizations who no longer need it, then refurbishes it and provides it to other individuals or organizations in need.

History
As a 14-year old boy, Paduh and his family migrated to Canada from war-torn Yugoslavia. Upon arrival, Paduh was gifted a computer from a local church, which inspired him to give back to the local youth as an adult. ERA was founded in Calgary in 2004 by Bojan Paduh, and has expanded since to include 220 locations throughout Canada, according to the Globe and Mail.The company does not typically break down equipment, which means it does not usually issue tax refund receipts to businesses that donate, but it does destroy equipment that has passed its lifespan. It also provides companies data showing how the data was disposed of, including video of hard drives being shredded.

Although the company does its best to remove all personal data from equipment, all donations should be free from personal data at time of the donation.

Operations
The ERA accepts donations in person at any one of its numerous drop-off points, and it can arrange to pick up components in excess of 100 or more. Some of the electronics the company recycles come from Canadian businesses that go through their usual IT cycle of replacing equipment every three to five years. While the organization will accept nearly any electronic, it primarily receives: televisions, monitors, software, phone systems, servers, printers, laptops and desktop computers.

The ERA employs a small team of technicians to test donations, which helps them to determine if an electronic component is within its lifespan. The Association then wipes old hard drives to protect the identities of those who donate, and distributes the refurbished technology to a local group.

According to the Global News Morning Edition, the ERA opened a new facility in Alberta as of April 14, 2016.

Those who need computers and are unable to afford them are free to volunteer with the ERA for up to 24 “give-back” hours.

The Globe and Mail report that the ERA had recycled more than one million electronic components and was processing 41,000 items each month as of August 2016.

Charity Work
The Electronic Recycling Association works directly with several groups, churches, schools and local non-profits to both collect and distribute electronics to those who need them. During the 2013 E-Data destruction day, co-hosted with the Calgary police department, The ERA allowed people to watch as they disposed safely of electronics, explaining the dangers of identity theft as they did so.

One of the initiatives used to support other charities involves paying them for collecting electronics on behalf of the ERA. Charities must collect at least 50 pieces of electronics for refurbishment in order to qualify, but the ERA provides a $.10 CA per pound rebate for each device. The ERA even provides staff to collect items, and delivery service for those charities with more than 100 pieces to donate.

In 2015, The ERA partnered with St. Peter Elementary School in Penbrooke Meadows to award 20 refurbished laptops to underprivileged students without home access. In addition, The Electronic Recycling Association provided a lifetime warranty on the laptops gifted to students.

In January of 2016, the company donated 30 laptops to the “Never Too Late” program, which helps adults complete their GEDs.

In March 2016, the ERA partnered with the Crossiron Mills Mall to allow the public the opportunity to shred their personal devices, including: phones, gaming consoles and hard drives, free of charge. This was done in support of Fraud Prevention Month.