NextStep Recycling

NextStep has grown from its initial grassroots beginning as a Macintosh computer fix-it-and-pass-it-on resource into a thriving community service organization. Starting in a garage in 1999 and founded in 2002 as MacRenewal, a 501(c)(3) public nonprofit public organization, we are now known as NextStep Recycling. We implement our three-part mission through focused efforts in Lane County Oregon, other areas of the US, and internationally.

• Educate and empower low income and disadvantaged Oregonians and others by providing refurbished computers that allow access to technology and the Internet;
• Recycle computer hardware and other electronics in an environmentally sound manner, keeping hazardous waste out of Oregon’s soil and water environments;
• Provide skill-training opportunities to those who are considered unemployable, are currently underemployed, and/or are people new to the job market; and
• Offer education to the general public regarding the importance of electronics reuse and recycling and the impact of these kinds of waste on our environment.
• Accept donations of computers and other electronic equipment, computer-related items, software, and manuals;
• Refurbish computers and other electronics and places them with people who do not normally have access to this technology;
• Sell, at an extremely low cost, additional reusable items in our ReUse Store in Eugene.
• Sort and dismantle unusable donations for recycling at Pacific Northwest R-2 and eSteward certified facilities, that meet our environmental stewardship standards.

Our Mission
Providing technology and training to children and adults who have barriers to employment and education, while protecting our environment and community from hazardous waste.

Our Vision
Passionate people in service to the world through partnerships, education, training and environmental awareness.

Our Purpose
NextStep provides individuals and groups the opportunity to learn about the impact electronic waste has on our environment and to provide technology to those who do not have access. Access to computers and the Internet and the ability to effectively use this technology are becoming increasingly important for full participation in America’s economic, political and social life.

Our Focus
NextStep recognizes that the ability to use technology is becoming increasingly important in the workplace. Jobs in the rapidly growing information technology sector pay almost 80 percent more than the average private sector wage. NextStep understands that social and economic injustice, racial and ethnic inequality, and ecological loss affect all people. Through cooperative effort, individuals of all cultures can experience and enhance their ability to make a difference in their community and their world. NextStep seeks to create a network of people and organizations committed to addressing the digital divide and the impact electronics waste has on our global environment.

Our Process
NextStep Recycling receives donations of obsolete electronics, including computer hardware, (desktop computers, laptops, handheld games, cell phones, etc), household electronics (clocks, radios, lamps, etc), white (microwaves, stoves, dryers, etc.) and brown (stereos, VCRs, DVD players, etc.) goods. Trainees in our recycling warehouse receive education on the inner workings of computers and other electronic hardware as they participate in our dismantling program. Trainees can also learn how to rebuild computers in our refurbishing program. After a certain period of training, trainees receive a computer to complete the education process. Through our ePower Our Community Partnership program, NextStep gifts computers directly to: children and adults living in foster care, persons experiencing disabilities, family members leaving domestically violent relationships, migrant worker families, under-funded schools and nonprofits.

Recycling

Got a bunch of stuff like old computer parts, toasters, alarm clocks, and more taking up space at home or work? Why hang on to it? We want it! Bring it by to one of our Recycling center and we will refurbish it and safely remove your data and personal information before giving it to people who otherwise wouldn't have access to technology. If we can't fix it, we recycle it for you, working with eSteward and R2 Certified Recyclers. Remember the Eugene Recycling Center is located near the corner of West 10th Ave and Garfield St.

Looking for a New-to-You laptop without the New price? Skip the big box stores. Buying refurbished electronics and technology will save you money and help your community. We offer a wide selection of items to choose from including cell phones, laptops, televisions, microwaves, and even office furniture! Need a cord, charger, or battery pack? We've got it. Stop by today, located next to Forest Paint!

Residential Recycling

We welcome a wide variety of items; computers of course, but also everything from coffee makers and toasters to the cardboard box they came in.We refurbish everything we can and have a no landfill policy so all obsolete/non-repairable items are recycled with Oregon Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) approved processors.

We are a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. Most donations are tax deductible. NextStep provides a donation receipt that you can use to document your donation, please consult your tax advisor about finding fair market value for your donation. Shipping costs may also tax deductible, consult your tax advisor. NextStep does not estimate the fair market value; that is up to the donor, as required by law.

If your hard drive is smaller than 20 GB, it will be dismantled (rendered completely unusable) and sent as scrap to be melted down for metal recovery. If your hard drive is 20 GB or larger, it will be cleared according to the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) Guidelines for Media Sanitization. This writes a completely random series of '0's and '1's to all disk sectors, overwriting your personal data. If you have data you need to save, please do so before you donate your computer.