Why Purchase a Refurbished Computer?

Carbon Emissions Avoided

The single biggest benefit is avoiding the massive carbon cost of manufacturing. Research across 230 specific laptops found the average carbon footprint of a new laptop is approximately 331 kg of CO₂ equivalent during production alone — meaning just three new laptops produce nearly a tonneof CO₂. Manufacturing accounts for 75–85% of a laptop's total lifecycle carbon footprint, with the remainder attributable to transportation and use. By choosing a refurbished laptop instead of a new one, you can save up to 85% ofthat carbon footprint — roughly 307 kg of CO₂ equivalent per device.

At a broader scale, the European Environmental Bureau found that extending the lifespan of electronics by just one year could save the EU 4million tons of CO₂ emissions annually.

Raw Material Conservation

Manufacturing computers is extraordinarily resource-intensive. According to a United Nations University study, a desktop computer and monitor require approximately 240 kg of fossil fuels, 22 kg of chemicals, and 1,500 kg of water to produce, comparable to there sources required to produce a midsize car. Laptop production also uses around 190,000 litres of water and 1,200 kg of mined earth per device. Every refurbished unit avoids all of that extraction and processing.

E-Waste Reduction

In 2019, the world generated 53.6 million metric tons of e-waste, of which only 17.4% was properly recycled. Global e-waste is projected to reach 74 million metric tons by 2030. Computers contain toxic components such as lead, cadmium, and chromium, which can contaminate soil and water when they are disposed of in landfills. By extending a device's life by repair or purchasing reuse, you are creating less e-waste.

Toxic Materials Kept Out of Landfills

Computers contain lead (which can cause brain damage), cadmium (which can damage lungs), and chromium (linked to allergic reactionsand liver damage). Refurbishing keeps these hazardous materials in productive use rather than allowing them to leach into the environment. Free Geek Toronto ensures that tech that is donated to us is either reused or sent to our certified recycling, Quantum Lifecycle, to dealt with in an ethical and environmentally-friendly manner.

Real-World Program Impact

Digitunity's refurbishment efforts conserved enough energy to power about 4,545 North American households for a year, reducing emissions equivalentto taking over 2,672 cars off the road. They prevented the generation of solid waste equivalent to that produced by 5,229 households. Free Geek Toronto has refurbished over 1,200 computers in the last five years, and we hope to increase those numbers expontential over the next couple of years.

Donate to Free Geek Toronto

By donating your unwanted tech to Free Geek Toronto, you're creating the opportunity for that tech to be refurbished and reused. The more we can decrease our reliance on new devices, the larger impact we'll have on envirnomental impact of technology.