Asheville and Western North Carolina experienced severe flooding in the fall of 2024. The flood from Hurricane Helene washed away homes, businesses, and electronics that people relied on. As a community we need to ensure that families have a replacement computer to conduct business and school work.
Competitor Stores
When you recycle a computer at a competitor, the computer goes into a "scrap" pile. Some of the computer stores will use the hard drive or resell them, which is not a recommended practice. This allows possibly some previous user data to get into the wrong hands. Some of the memory from the computers are harvested for future computer repair services. If the computer cannot be sold, they have someone pickup the scrap in exchange for money.
The United States has a HUGE technology waste problem. Most technology, including phones, ends up in cargo ships headed overseas. It is common that you will find individuals experiencing poverty in these areas harvesting the metals. Once these toxic metals are burned, most of the time the individuals experience sickness and cancer. Not only does dumping technological waste in other countries harmful for the environment, but also for the individuals living nearby.
How PC AVL Handles Recycling
- Is the computer safe to operate? We are going to quality check the machine and make sure we aren't donating something damaged. We do not accept any machines involved in any sort of disaster (flood, fire, septic, etc).
- Are the parts functionable? Does it pass all of our hardware tests? We do not want to give computers back to the community that is going to pose problems. If the parts aren't functionable, can they be replaced? If not the computer and parts will be auctioned off and the money donated back to the community.
- Every hard drive will be replaced with a clean install of Windows.
- All computers will be given a final wipe-down and cleaned.
Once the computer is ready, it will be labeled, and ready for distribution. Individuals in need of computers can contact us and we will gladly provide them with a desktop or laptop.
Outcome
By offering this service back to the community, individuals will have the opportunity to work from home. Also students will be able to utilize the computer outside of class. The computers that cannot be donated can be auctioned for parts and the money be distributed to the community for food, supplies, and water. This is how one local computer repair facility is giving back to the community they serve.
To inquire or schedule a pickup, contact us at (828) 367-7438