Power up The Planet

This month, we are excited to share a non-profit organization that is near and dear to our hearts. Power Up the Planet (PUP) is an initiative started by our very own Derrick Meyer, with the goal of reducing electronic waste (e-waste), while helping the community. 

From Idea to Reality

The beginnings of Power Up the Planet started in a most unassuming way. While at a client’s place of business, Derrick witnessed staff throwing old computer equipment into a dumpster. He called out to the staff and asked them to stop and offered to recycle the devices for them. When he was asked how much it was going to cost the company for him to provide this service, knowing that this was likely going to determine whether he would be allowed to perform the task, he simply replied “nothing!” 

This and other situations like it continued over the following months. Derrick would pull hard drives, destroy them, and recycle the remaining materials.  

One day, one of our non-profit clients called. They had a laptop fail and asked if he had any old computers that he would be willing to sell as they only had fifty dollars in the budget.  

Derrick said he would see what he could come up with. He went into his garage (as he hadn’t made a run to the recycle depot that week) and began pulling parts. Derrick was able to build a computer, which included a monitor, keyboard, and mouse.  When returned to the non-profit, they were grateful and attempted to pay. Derrick said that he couldn’t possibly accept payment as the materials were technically garbage anyway.  Word spread; demand increased, as did donations. Soon, Derrick started receiving donations from people that were not clients. The idea of Power up the Planet was born and remains strong today. 

Electronics Collected by PUP

PUP is a two-pronged initiative. Its recycling program reduces e-waste and its negative impact on the environment, while its reuse and refurbishing efforts give select electronic equipment a new lease on life.                                                        

E-waste refers to electronic products that have reached or are nearing the end of their useful life. Even though many of these goods can be reused, refurbished, or recycled, e-waste still represents a serious threat to our environment.  

In 2022, the world generated 62 million metric tons of electronic waste according to the United Nations Global E-waste Monitor. Landfills continue to be polluted with e-waste, and PUP is dedicated to doing its part to lower those numbers. 

PUP will take away most electronics, including:  

• mice  
• phones  
• printers  
• scanners  
• monitors  
• keyboards  
• mobile devices  
• computer towers  
• empty ink and toner cartridges  

We know many of you reading this post will have these items collecting dust in your basement, storage, or garage! So, rather than taking up space in and around your house, donate them to our amazing organization. Power up the Planet works with non-profits and charities to ensure that they and those they help receive the technology they need to operate. 

Examples of those they help include people suffering from PTSD, individuals receiving AISH, seniors, lower income students, those fleeing domestic violence and those unable to secure permanent housing to stay connected. 

Power Up the Planet is always looking for support! For donation, sponsorship, or volunteer opportunities, please contact them at 780-616-3120, or [email protected]. 

Thank you to PUP for helping make our planet a cleaner place! Remember, next time you aren’t sure about what to do with that outdated electronic, PUP will help find it a home.