News and Updates

Milestone: 165,000 computers and laptops delivered!

5/14/2018

We just hit another milestone!

Today, we have refurbished and delivered our 165,000th computer!
Thank you to all of our donors and clients who make our mission possible!

Together, we have given 165,000 computers and laptops a meaningful second life and saved...

39,600,000 kg of fossil fuels,
3,630,000 kg of chemicals,
and 825,000 tons of water.

We were able to reach this milestone thanks to the
continued support of the Computers for Schools Program!

April 2018 - Monthly Update

4/30/2018

Thank you donors!

We are able to run the Computers for Schools program because of your continued support.

And all individual donors!

This month we distributed 318 computers and laptops to...

21 schools: This includes schools like Brooksbank Elementary in North Vancouver, Vancouver Island University in Vancouver, and South Delta Secondary. These schools use computers and laptops for various things ranging from simply increasing their computer-to-student ratios so that every student has access to a computer during class to effectively learn, upgrading their current computers to keep up with the growing advances in computing, or even helping specific students.

20 nonprofits: Nonprofits such as: Dixon Transition Society, who provide a continuum of services including safe housing, support, counselling and education for women and children impacted by violence; Laskeek Bay Conservation Society, who undertake and support research and long term monitoring of wildlife populations of the marine and terrestrial ecosystems of Haida Gwaii, as well as provide opportunities for non-scientists to participate as volunteers in field programs; Vancouver Community Network, who operates and promotes a free, publicly accessible, non-commercial, community computer utility in the Lower Mainland of BC which provides a public space on the Internet; and Sea To Sky Invasive Species Council, who minimise the threat of invasive species that impact on the environment, the economy and human health in the Sea to Sky corridor.

6 Students: These students now have access to a desktop computers in their homes and that will allow them to do their homework (and procrastinate 😉), communicate with friends and family, look for jobs, learn new skills, etc.

We Supported Skills Canada's Provincial Competition

We lent out 80 computers for the Skills Canada BC's 2018 Provincial Competition.

The competition was held at Tradex (or BC Fraser Valley Trade & Exhibition Centre) in Abbotsford. More than 600 competitors in 58 competition areas competed in fields as diverse as: aerospace, automotive, 3D Animation, baking, welding, robotics — and much more!

Our Computers were used for all the technology based competitions of course.

We Celebrated Earth Day

we have made three new web pages that detail our commitment to sustainability:
Environmental Impact Calculator, Reuse vs Recycle, and Our Sustainability Practices

We hired one new technician and provided two high-school students with work experience!

We are excited to have them join our team. We also had to say good bye to 1 technician whose work terms have recently ended. We wish them the all best in their academics and budding career!

Donating is easy and we ALWAYS need tech donations.
Click here to learn how you can make a difference!

Earth Day 2018 - Apr. 22

4/22/2018

Happy Earth Day!

As you may already know, sustainability is a core focus for us here at BC Tech as we refurbish computers and laptops to be reused, diverting them from premature recycling or from ending up in landfills. This significantly reduces e-waste thus protecting the environment from further harm, as well as saving resources by reducing the amount of new computers being manufactured.

Our front page "Earth Day" Banner :)

This year, to commemorate Earth Day, we have made three new web pages that detail our commitment to sustainability.

Environmental Impact Calculator:

Did you know that the manufacturing of a new computer takes at least:

240 kg (530 pounds) of fossil fuels;
22 kg (48 pounds) of chemicals;
5 tons of water.

Use our new calculator see how much your donation of computers can possibly save.

Reuse vs Recycle:

We often get asked: "Why should I donate my computers instead of recycling them? Doesn't recycling make them new again?"

We've all heard reuse, reduce, recycle. They are all excellent practices, however, they are not equal.

This page goes in depth as to why reusing is the more sustainable practice over recycling. As well as how reusing will also lead to an overall reduction which is the most sustainable of the three.

Our Sustainability Practices:

In addition to refurbishing computers and laptops for reuse, we also make great effort to be sustainable in our overall operations. Read more about how we utilize green transportation options, reduce energy usage, reduce waste, and foster a culture to be more sustainable.

Skills Canada 2018 - Apr. 18

4/19/2018

Yesterday, we lent out 80 computers for the Skills Canada BC's 2018 Provincial Competition.

The competition was held at Tradex (or BC Fraser Valley Trade & Exhibition Centre) in Abbotsford. More than 600 competitors in 58 competition areas competed in fields as diverse as: aerospace, automotive, 3D Animation, baking, welding, robotics — and much more!

Our Computers were used for all the technology based competitions of course.

We are happy to be able to provide this kind of service as it aligns with our mission and values to support youth in developing their IT skills. Congratulations to all the winners and participants!

P.S. If you have an event coming up and need computers or laptops for the day, feel free to contact us, we may be able to help! 😀

March 2018 - Monthly Update

4/5/2018

Our 2017-2018 fiscal year just ended on April 1st, so happy new years to us! We have been busy here counting up our inventory and getting things ready for our next fiscal year which we hope to be a great one with lots of computers coming in-and-out of our doors!

Thank you donors!

We are able to run the Computers for Schools program because of your continued support.

And all individual donors!

This month, we distributed 434 computers and laptops to...

Lunch and Learn with AMPD Game Technologies

3/16/2018

Today we had a "Lunch & Learn" session with Mark, the president of AMPD Game Technologies! Thank you Mark for sharing your experience in the tech and gaming industry and for giving great career advice.

The technicians enjoy listening, especially when there's pizza involved!

If you would like to co-host a Lunch & Learn with us we'd be happy to have you! We'd be delighted to have you share your career, technical, and industry insights with our young minds.