Free Geek Twin Cities: E-Waste and Education

Most old computers and electronics end up in a landfill or scrapped for raw materials. But a nonprofit in Minneapolis, Minnesota takes the tech we no longer want and turns it into an educational opportunity.
Free Geek Twin Cities: www.freegeektwi...
Sources:
Free Geek Portland photos courtesy Angela Holm, www.angelaholmp...
The Sunday Oregonian, "Nonprofit gives old computers new life" by Richard Colby. November 19, 2000.
Minnesota Daily, "Free Geek to open in Mpls" by Krista Webb. September 28, 2009.
Minnesota Public Radio, "Free Geek program seeks to increase computer ownership" by Jessica Mador. October 26, 2009.
www.mprnews.or...
Motherboard CPU socket image: upload.wikimed...
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Music by Epidemic Sound (www.epidemicsou...).

[@LGR]

Awesome job on this, really enjoyed! E-Waste is a topic that continually needs more attention. Especially CRTs. The articles I've seen of massive warehouses full with nowhere for them to be recycled due to the huge cost involved, it's wild.

[@cheesythegamer9771]

They should open more free geeks, I would definitely go if they opened one near me. (Also Hey Clint!)

[@esseferio]

Huh? I was actually under the impression that all of the world's remaining CRTs were at your place? ;)

[@josephklosowski575]

Bruh why you here this is for snow people only

[@calzonemaniacsvideocorner0804]

I think the main reason people are hesitant to recycle CRTs in particular is because of the lead that is used in their production.

[@TheRetroFuture]

This is incredibly well filmed & edited... Great video Colin & great initiative Free Geek!

[@Term271]

The Retro Future cool I like that their not destroying it all

[@milkapeismilky5464]

Production value is high, this deserves much more attention.

[@Deathrape2001]

There is no 'editing', just pointing the camera at ugly people as they talk = should really trim their lies down, like all the bull$hit pretending they 'must' destroy things = sick. Also a simple 'waiver' people can sign would eliminate any 'personal data liability' because (news flash =)) the employees themselves could certainly copy those drives or N E thing on them B 4 'wiping' them, + no 'wiper' is as secure as simply filling the drive(s) with known material, like movie files. All this 'eraser' stuff might do is encrypt things & even put viruses or something on there 2 'call back' & transfer the stuff. There R plenty of free softwares that can totally hide files 2 look like 'garbage' & not even show in 'explorer' & so on.

[@EmelieKerek]

Just finished watching the video, and after a quick google search I've found a Free Geek store in the town next to mine. I'm going to call tomorrow for more information on how to volunteer. Thank you so much Colin for creating this documentary!

[@sjm4306]

Love the documentary style videos, such high production value and interesting content!

[@nicolasjancek217]

Dang. The production value of this is out of this world, absolutely loved it. A shining example of why I love this channel.

[@MrJamesonStyles]

Excellent video! Hits every point perfectly and very well filmed and produced! I live in the area and go here all the time. Have brought my PCA clients here for volunteer work, put about 30 hours in myself in the recycling room, have bought many things from their thrift store and nabbed many a tasty item out of recycling (with permission, of course!). Lately I've even been bringing them in my old car parts for them to bring to the scrapper, heavy steel pieces they're all too happy to take off my hands. Wes is a legend, we've had some pretty fun conversations, and the thrift store guys are a good bunch as well, ready to wheel and deal with me on prices. I've outfitted many people, friends and family, with computer and audio setups using stuff bought from their store. It's a fantastic place and I can only wish them continuing success.

[@leoscaremporium2007]

It really is wonderful! I volunteer in the recycling room regularly as well (I think I'm up to around ~50 hours at this point), and I don't think I'll ever stop volunteering there! I've probably seen you around before haha. You're definitely right when you say Wes is a legend too... He seems to know everything!

[@jisa39]

I really enjoyed this documentary, great story beautifully told. One of the jewels of this channel, which is already very entertaining. Congratulations and thanks.

[@PhyzinicStudios]

I love your Minnesota-centered content. Makes me proud of my state

[@thefourthbustamante4608]

There's also that good ol' KTCA, still alive and kicking.

[@nalurash2787]

Wow. Awesome cinematography. I'm very impressed with how this all came together. Good job man

[@ke4rit]

Man I miss Free Geek. Used to be a part of FGM (Free Geek Michiana). Unfortunately, it crashed and burned in 2009-2010? Tom Brown the founder passed away in 2012. It closed the same year. I do miss the work... Well done Free Geek Twin Cities... Glad to see other Free Geek sites have survived.

[@CGQuarterly]

Great video, Colin. Really nice job.

[@hbarudi]

The ewaste is a major world problem and I am glad they are doing this kind of work, but for only 2 cities it is just too small to handle that high volume of ewaste coming out. Really need them to spread to most major cities around the world.

[@craggercragger8989]

This was really well put together. Enjoyed immensely.

[@Jensiswelt]

Here in Germany - Leipzig, I also worked in a company that restored, completed and repaired notebooks and PCs thrown away from scrap for needy families, of course you took something home with you from time to time, especially when it was from the company Apple or even an Alienware notebook :-)

[@pepealexandre]

I suggested this subject a few months ago in Twitter. :) Pretty cool to see it explored with such great production. Congrats, Colin, great work. Also congrats for the 100k subscribers.

[@cedarstuff]

Can't believe I missed this episode, glad you referenced it in your 2019 look-ahead video! Looks like a great cause, and to repeat the comments below - a very well done docu-short.

[@SwagmanMcGee]

Hey, that's where I got my Optiplex 380! Great video, these people definitely need more exposure - between the service they're doing for the community, as well as the environment, Free Geek is honestly one of the most admirable nonprofits I know of.

[@mosmi]

A wonderful documentary! This place is inspirational. I'd love to see if something similar already exists in London, England. It's such a great initiative.

[@alanarmstrong6099]

This could/should run on the TPT Minnesota channel. Very well produced.

[@MarkHyde]

So much of my retro tech computers - particularly my Apple collection pre-Intel transition is from a local tech recycling co-op here in Australia where I live - have loved volunteering there for nearly 10 years now. Catching up with these videos - really love this work. (i have newer bought tech tho.)

[@AdamChristensen]

This is amazing. I think I know what I want to do when I grow up. I'm going to see if it would be feasible to start something like this in the Washington, DC area.

[@johnkilmer7981]

Really cool, Colin! They’re doing such great things. I grew up in a low income home, where old, obsolete Macintosh computers or ‘98 Dell laptops were our only option. They were purchased or serviced from small, Mom and pop shops. It’s neat that these guys are reaching out to those people, to close up the gap. It’s unimaginable to most, to entirely believable to me that there are still many people who don’t even have access to good computers and internet access. It can be a real handicap. Also, great work on this documentary-style video, which is relatively new territory for your channel, yes? Love the gradual incorporation of your drone into your content.

[@Deathrape2001]

Yeah such 'great things', destroying nice CRT monitors that can easily get over $100 each on Ebay, same as the obsolete 'trash' motherboards that R very valuable at auction = WTF?! What's even more fascinating is how these employees R so fuking stupid they don't even bother 2 do that 'off the clock' 2 enrich themselves! OMFG HAHAHA =))

[@sst85og]

Thanks for sharing this local story with the world Colin, I loved it. Your production value was impressive here and I look forward to what else you might be cooking up in the future! Well done sir!

[@devikwolf]

I'm hugely impressed with this video - one of your absolute best! But, as a retro nerd who's having more and more trouble finding certain hardware, I cringe when I see a lot of these computers just getting scrapped. I suppose most of what passes through their doors are machines where just about everything but CPU, RAM, and storage is built right onto the motherboard, though, and there's just no resale market for that stuff.

[@Natures_Intentions]

I really hope one opens here in Indiana sometime. I would buy lots of parts from them. I would also work with them in the recycling aspect of their business.

[@ThingNumberTwo2]

Whoa... I literally live on the same street and just a matter of blocks down from this place, and I never knew it existed. I need to crawl out from under this rock...

[@greentray1231]

Man go for it! I would definitely volunteer a bit if I could!

[@soviut]

You're a very talented documentary film maker. Well filmed, well recording, superb editing.

[@hugomcardoso]

Amazing "documentary". Great jobs from you and Twin Cities!

[@PC4USE1]

I used to sell thrift store computers that I rehabbed back in the early 2000s. The market has dried up and the supply is not there anymore. The fun of it was bringing PCs back from the dead-there was no real profit in it. I love the idea of rehabbing old PCs and putting them back in circulation. I have always loved to reuse old things in the "modern age".

[@GeekTherapyRadio]

This is so above and beyond well done Colin. Just jaw dropping. Amazing brother. Truly stunning work.

[@HaroldHeidendom]

THIS IS SOOOO FREAKIN COOOOL! as an disabled person, I really wish this was possible in The Netherlands, I would love to volunteer there!

[@kalbotero9232]

It's pretty amazing that you are making now this films because shows all these parts about the geek culture, thanks

[@julianfairbanks1264]

I live about 2 to 3 miles from this place. Funny- I always thought that that b&w “Free Geek” wall piece was just a mural/graffiti art on the side of someone’s small workshop. There are a lot of smaller than a warehouse size buildings in this area that people started putting-use-to in the early 2000’s … and it being in a fairly art-centric neighborhood or ‘district’, I thought that mural was just another way someone wanted to decorate the outside of their workshop/building, with just a witty phrase. Much like a funny bumper sticker. I have watched your videos often but the first time I heard you mention something like, “My friends at Free Geek twin cities sent me ~this~”, my mind completely gave all my attention to watching the video. I thought “hey, ‘Free Geek’ just like that mural by my house!” … then I realized WHY it was there😮 and that it wasn’t just a cool looking “motto” somebody wanted on their building. It was a store, a whole non profit at that, that I overlooked many times just for a hipster-esq mural 😂

[@Uufda651]

For the electronic stuff that Free Geek doesn't want: if you're a Saint Paul/Ramsey County resident, the county pays for the recycling fees if you drop them off at Repowered over on Vandalia. (Not affiliated, just someone who's used the service before). You just show up in your car during their open hours, roll down your window and show your address on your driver's license is in Ramsey County, they'll take the stuff, and you don't get charged a cent. Note: this is for Ramsey county residents. If you're from outside of the county or are a business, you'll still have to pay Repowered their regular fees. Ramsey County currently has a team of mobile hazardous waste collection sites, but their Environmental Service Center is supposed to open Spring 2025.

[@javiersalomon3810]

Great video Colin. I’ve been watching your channel for a couple months, and I love what you’ve done with it. I’m always interested in knowing your point of view for different topics of your podcasts. I definitely like this documentary style too. Keep it up man.

[@woodengamer]

I remember when you were there shooting this. Was fun to meet you and love the video you made.

[@Vitz_atelier]

A very simple but effective documentary! 10/10

[@michaellacock]

Very good job! Amazing video! It’s exciting learning that there’s a place like this in Minnesota!

[@JigglyPKMN]

RIP tube TVs. You are loved and not forgotten!

[@ShadyNine]

Here from LGR's tweet, excellent video, not sure what your channel is about but if it's gonna entail more documentaries about technology and such then I'm all for it!

[@Kumimono]

I used to work in a similar place. The amount of old C64's and such, which we then just tore apart, still saddens me. :|

[@MinoTheShow]

Only a few seconds in but will say I’m excited to watch, the drone shots are stunning and as someone who moved to Minnesota a year ago it’s cool to learn about stuff going on in the neighborhood :)

[@MinoTheShow]

Yep, awesome, I’m definitely stopping at the thrift store next time in the cities - currently living in St. Cloud and not sure I can put in much time volunteering at the moment but it looks like a whole ton of fun

[@hero_in_deepblu]

I've always wanted a free geek to open by me. I would love to take apart and fix computers all day. Such a relaxing experience.

[@zincmann]

Colin excellent job this is a very professional documentary! Thanks for all your work and passion.

[@RetroSho]

This is an entirely new level for you Colin. Amazing! Thank you!

[@ardentdrops]

This is a very professionally done video. I'm impressed!

[@lactobacillusprime]

Lovely documentary. Looks and sounds very professional. Kudos! And a great cause!

[@VSigma725]

Wish I had a place like this, I'm always looking for cheap junk PCs to practice my craft. I usually have to luck into Craigslist deals for Pentium 4/Core2 era stuff.

[@VSigma725]

@@Halon_1211 I just got an Athlon 64 yesterday for 10 bucks with the restore DVD, that was nice.

[@VSigma725]

@@Halon_1211 good score! I have three Pentium III machines at the moment.

[@zanespringall8990]

I have always wanted something like this in Australia. Here, many op shops (what we call thrift stores) don't take in computers of any sort. They might have a keyboard or a monitor. Maybe. At landfills, however, you're able to find all sorts of stuff for very cheap (I've picked a Microsoft Natural Elite and a Logitech joystick, for example.) Even then, our local council are shutting these 'dump shops' down for safety reasons (equipment sold may pose a risk to users (or so I've been told). I'd love to start an initiative like Free Geek in my area, but I just don't know how to do it. Lessen amounts of e-waste, make sure everyone has access to vital services provided by digital systems and provide education those both knowledgeable and noviced when it comes to computers.

[@birdysama2980]

Starting a similar non profit organization in Quebec city, Canada (my hometown) is my dream. Very inspiring!

[@fgregerfeaxcwfeffece]

And for all the people now excitedly googling DBAN: It's time has been over for several years now. Now it's just snake oil that wastes time, write cycles or bearing wear . If data could be written any more dense on the hardware the firmware of the manufacturer would do that to advertise higher numbers. DBAN is a relic of a past where you could somewhat reasonably assume that it could sometimes be possible to restore overwritten data. That tiem was about 10-30 years ago depending on who you ask. But if you ask for any evidence of such a restoration they all go silent or refer to way older hardware.

[@abzhuofficial]

Well TDNC/Colin, this documentary is so good as a whole, that it would not look out of place on a conventional television! Yyyyeah, I suck at compliments, but I hope you know what I mean! PS: I love their approach towards Linux, especially when trying to nudge potential possessors of their machines to try Linux instead of being more narrow-minded towards alternatives. We were all noobs, with some being narrow-minded at one, and some having false perceptions of Linux, like I did at one stage.

[@gman83090]

We need something like this in Australia because it's amazing how much e-waste there is in Australia

[@LKonstantina915]

linux literally saved my 10 year old laptop, i installed Lubuntu (like that laptop at 17:45) and its amazing that an 1 core 1 thread laptop is still usable. Also its obvious that if they used windows 10, even if the pcs could handle it, there would be backflash from Microsoft ig and make things complicated..

[@Deathrape2001]

Almost every 'donation' PC that exists came new with either Windows '98, XP, or 7. They can simply put that on whatever the sticker says on the case, so no 'license' problems. BTW: Also their name shows what a $cam that $tore is = 'free' geek = LIES! Their prices R insane = WAAAY more than Craigslist =)) I recently bought 12 Dell Precision T5810 ('super' computer style) on there 4 $100 (one hundred dollars grand total) from a student who bought them at a college auction & didn't like that the video cards were not 'gaming monsters' = LOL!! The college had hundreds more PCs at auctions later with lots more cheap but nice things but only 2 as fast so passed =P It's not uncommon 2 get complete very nice & fast PCs with monitors & stuff on Craigslist for under $30. Just wait & keep track. These clowns want over $100 per machine = absurd. Or 20 hours labor or whatever = LOL!!

[@kiningroseburg9288]

damn, all those vintage components just being destroyed and melted down, just sad...

[@nathanmead140]

Yes and it'll probably make them more rare and expensive

[@_icey]

As a former volunteer, it's a pretty fun place to be in. They have great deals too.

[@linkboy321]

Awesome video. I volunteered there and helped with the PC section a few months ago (PC repair is something I'm looking to get into), but haven't been able to get back due to schedule issues.

[@doalwa]

This was very interesting and incredibly well filmed!

[@gamemaniac22]

WOW! You hit a home run! This was beautifully made.

[@computelion6393]

This is the exact same Free Geek that I go to. I have recently picked up a green iMac G3 (fully working) for $90 there.

[@kevinmahoney4416]

This entire piece of so well-made and for such a good cause. Awesome all around!

[@markhaus]

This was a great documentary, would love to see more

[@sallesdavi]

What a great job! So well done!!! I wish I could be part of it in Minneapolis

[@tonyshen1]

Awesome documentary style editing. Enjoyed a lot.

[@thiswillprobhrt]

I had no idea this existed. Definitely will be buying future systems from there.

[@Retrotech_nerd]

This sounds like heaven I wish they had something like this in Canterbury NZ

[@adityashukla7849]

Looks like a paradise to me 😍

[@mtvlieger]

Makes me proud to see my state of MN positively featured. Have you heard on mncfs.org? Business donate hardware and penitentiary inmates refurbish the computers and then offer them to schools. I was able to outfit a small school with a lab for very little money when I started teaching 15 years ago. Still making use of them today.

[@WickedGamerCollector]

Thanks for this video, really cool to see this.

[@wolvenar]

Huh, I love printers for parts like steppers, fans, heatsinks, rails etc. I also repair and repurpose many CRT. It's AMAZING how much you can get out of many of the mid 90s tubes as replacement CRT for arcade machines. Tandy/Commodore/Apple or any of the 8 and 16 bit era monitors can bring a small fortune when repaired correctly.

[@ThisDoesNotCompute]

It didn’t make it into the video, but occasionally Free Geek will get a high-quality CRT in that will go up for sale in the thrift store. They’re well-aware of retro collectors. Same goes for turntables - even broken ones, unless they’re cheap junk, will get saved and sold on to a company that specializes in restoring them.

[@wolvenar]

@@ThisDoesNotCompute cool ty

[@k2a2l2]

even the outside of the building is beautiful

[@Kee-Lo]

Fantastic video Colin, well put together

[@jordanvelazquez6321]

Best documentary ever

[@summerlaverdure]

this is amazing, well done TDNC and well done Free Geek

[@genericgreensquid6669]

I love what they are doing, and I love what you did with the documentary thing my guy! I'd probably do overtime if I were a volunteer here. And about Linux - they BETTER not put Windows on these, and be surprised that it's slow. With windows, they just pile code on top of old code and having it being a load of crap.

[@jonstechchannel]

Love the style of this video! Also, it's so sad to see those older 486 CPUs get recycled, since they're getting harder to find for cheap.

[@patg108]

yeah it is, people, esp those "recycling" or "scapping" need to respect old school hardware for those that want to use it. Besides there's plenty of methods to otherwise use old machines. They could be used for a dedicated old school lan setup (why not for older extra parts that sit around? it gives them new life and shows the new generation the fun that can be had!) And while i can see not teaching them to take apart floppy drives or cd drives or even dvd-rw drives it IS just a lazy method to skimp out on and improperly raise a new generation of technicians! They could at least be used as provisions for teaching people how to work on older computers! And the verified fixed ones could be resold for cheap! and its not just 486, its pretty much anything older than pentium 4

[@jayglenn837]

I wish they would come to Seattle!

[@alynicholls3230]

my problem with this is good usable machines and parts are broken, i know some stuff is cherry picked, but not enough some of those power supplies are hard to find and worth stupid money(just one example).

[@partitionpenguin]

The freegeek here just holds a lot of valuable (current) stuff in the back, as well as vintage stuff. They could sell a ton of that stuff and make a lot of profit but they choose instead to work on worthless Socket 775 machines.

[@MrAmaar]

what a wonderful report! thank you

[@jweebs1986]

This is so cool, I would love to get involved in something like this if there was one near me.

[@TheOnlyTwitchR6]

I really need to make a trip down there. I'd love to check out this place.

Great video! Very pleasing to watch

[@rafaelappleseed8140]

What do they do with the tablets and phones ? I’m willing to buy faulty non working ones

[@wolvenar]

Do these guys happen to sell to public at thier building/site?

[@MrJamesonStyles]

Yes they certainly do, in the thrift store on site.

[@toronado455]

How do you securely wipe user data from devices with internal soldered-on storage such as say an Amazon Fire tablet?

[@billwilson8962]

Dude, you have an amazing voice. If you decide to do voiceover work you certainly have a future.

[@TheNets]

This is an excellent documentary! I want more videos like that xD please!

[@retrochristmas7329]

More people should collect vintage laptops. I collect hp laptops I think they made really nicely designed laptops. Especially the ones with cool designs molded into the plastics from 2008 to 2013. They are fun to work on collect, display, modify, play games on. They are so much more fun to collect then action figures or other collectibles.

[@Duddie82]

I am what you call a hard core geek, I have been building computers since early 2000. So Lots of what I see is interesting!

[@factsoverfeelings1776]

Wish there was something like this in San Diego CA.

[@imm311]

What a beautifully done video!

[@milkapeismilky5464]

This was great, thank you! Man.... I'd love to snag some old CRTs from this place.

[@StubbornPickle]

This is super professional, nice job on the video!

[@springer-qb4dv]

It's a shame that most of the "recycled" electronics gets shreaded and destroyed. Many of these old broken computers can be repaird at board level and work as good as before.

[@GadgetoidUK]

You hit the ground running with this- nice work! And coincidentally the same day as we had some Minnesotans visiting us in Sheffield. Is this a sign of future documentaries to come?

[@novicenerd7119]

Seriously awesome video! A masterpiece!

[@HaroldHeidendom]

I really really reaaalllly want to freakin work as a volunteer in such a place.....So liberating, awesome! (Again, I cannot work propperly due traumatic stuff and Autism and ADHD, I really love messing with tech, but usually dont have the room to do so..... so awesome this!)

[@hydra7311]

We have one in Vancouver, great place

[@ZombieRofl]

Such great content to listen to! Keep it up 👍

[@DarrylStevens]

Fantastic and very motivating piece.