Electronic Recycling Association

Electronic Recycling Association is a Calgary-based non-profit organization that collects, refurbishes aged electronics and redistributes them to charities, schools, and other community groups.
History
Electronic Recycling Association was founded in 2004 by Bojan Paduh during a trip to a Calgary junk yard. Paduh was surprised by the number of working computers just discarded. Paduh recalled his families migration to Canada from war-torn Yugoslavia and how his gift of a computer from a local church changed his life. Paduh began fixing up computers and donating them to people others. Due to the great demand for computers, his hobby became a non-profit organization to include 220 location throughout Canada with its newest facility having opened in Alberta Canada In 2013, ERA was accused of improperly selling and disposing of equipment, as well as dealing with data security poorly. Since the accusations ERA has worked hard to reassure the public of its social responsibilities, by partnerships with law enforcemen<nowiki/>t As well as requesting the Canadian government to set guidelines and regulation within the recycling industry for consumers, manufacturers, and retailers to control costs.
Operations
The ERA accepts donations through its numerous drop-off points, and it can arrange to pick up of large amounts of equipment. While the organization will accept nearly any electronic, it primarily receives office and personal equipment. 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.
One such partner is Peter Elementary School in Penbrooke Meadows Ontario where ERA works to get underprivileged students without home access laptops. The company also works with smaller company groups like the “Never Too Late” program, which helps adults complete their GEDs as well the Bridge Foundation which w to help settle refugees.
In addition to working with community partners, ERA allows Individuals who need computers and are unable to afford them exchange their time through volunteering with ERA for a computer.
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.

Main Menu

See Also

Main Menu