Founded in February 2001, the mission of Computer Recycling of Virginia, Inc. (CRVA) is to place educationally-useful equipment into Virginia's schools and non-profit organizations free of charge, while promoting electronics recycling throughout the Commonwealth of Virginia.

We accept all computer related equipment and most any electronic device. Computers, laptops, networking, and telephone equipment, even cables and mice are a few of the items that we process daily. All acquired components are reused or recycled in accordance with all Federal, State, and Local regulations. None of the equipment we process is sent to the landfill!

Reuse, refurbishment, and recycling has enabled CRVA to donate over 20,000 pieces of equipment to Virginia Schools, non-profits, and youth programs. Over 14,000 tons of e-Waste has been diverted from Virginia's landfills helping our children, and protecting the environment

In 2008 and 2009 CRVA donated 4200 pieces of electronic equipment to schools, non-profits, and local government organizations. CRVA's ability to continue to donate this much-needed equipment is directly related to the donations of equipment that CRVA receives from businesses and individuals for recycling. Give your old obsolete electronic equipment new life and purpose by donating it to CRVA to help us continue donating much-needed equipment to Virginia's public schools and non-profit organizations.

Why Recycle

Take a look around your home or office. How many electronic devices can you see from where you are sitting? These items have become a vital part of our everyday lives. We have come to rely on personal computers, laptops, televisions, and media centers in our homes, GPS in our cars, smart phones, e-books, and video games in our hands, and MP3 players in our ears. Electronics are intertwined in all parts of our daily lives. We count on them to stay in touch, stay on time, stay on track, and stay informed. One only has to experience a power outage or a low battery to understand just how important electronics have become to each of us. The electronics industry understands the importance as well. Americans spend nearly $2 billion a year on the approximately three billion electronic devices we own.

Now look again at those electronics in your home or office. How long will it be before any of these items is replaced by a newer, faster, more efficient version? For each new product that is introduced to the market, one or more becomes obsolete. In 2005, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) estimated that between 26 and 37 million computers alone became "outdated". In total, the EPA estimated that 304 million electronics, with about two-thirds of them still operational, were discarded by consumers all across America. (Data from the Consumer Electronics Association and EPA)

Committment to the Environment

"Reduce. Reuse. Recycle."

Any school-aged child can tell you this phrase is used to remind us not to throw glass, plastic, or paper into the trash but into a recycling bin instead. Each day we hear people talking to a greater extent about being "green" and focusing on the environment and the conservation of natural resources. But, what does "green" mean when it is applied to the electronics industry? It has become evident that our beloved electronic devices are comprised of many components that are not good for our environment.

In 2005, Americans disposed of around 2 million tons of unwanted electronics. Only 345,000 to 379,000 tons of those items were recycled, with the remainder ending up in landfills across the nation. That is more than 1.5 million tons of electronics that will remain in landfills indefinitely while the heavy metals that they contain break down slowly over the years and leech into our soil and contaminate our environment. This doesn't have to happen.

Since our inception in 2001, we at CRVA have been striving to educate the public about electronic recycling and its benefits to our environment. We have a "No-Landfill" policy, and reuse, refurbish, and/or recycle all donated electronics. When you donate to CRVA, you are improving the environment and helping our communities bridge the digital divide.

Data Security

Today people use their computers for everything from keeping a treasured family recipe and daily correspondence, to confidential medical histories and banking information. For corporations, that information is even more sensitive, often containing highly confidential records that would be devastating if the wrong people had access to the information. One breach of confidential information could mean potentially hundreds of thousands of dollars spent, not to mention the legal ramifications if the information is covered under federal legislation.

A study at MIT by Garfinkel and Shelat collected 168 hard drives from various places and found that over 40 percent had recoverable data, and over 30 percent had sensitive information like credit card numbers. The news often has reports of a used computer purchased somewhere that still contains the original operating system and all of its former owner's files and documents. It is imperative that information contained on the hard drive from your old computer is properly deleted.

Protecting Data

Computer Recycling of Virginia understands and accepts the responsibility of protecting our client's data. Since 2001, every hard drive has been erased using software that meets or exceeds all industry standards, including the Department of Defense 5220.22-M. Once the wipe process is complete, any hard drive that fails the wipe process is physically destroyed. Finally, a random audit is done using data recovery software to examine the drives. If information is discovered then the entire lot is wiped again. CRVA is constantly evaluating our procedures and new technology as it becomes available in an effort to provide the best possible data security for our clients.

Community

Our efforts to educate Virginians about electronic waste began with our first community collection event in 2002 with the Virginia Peninsula Public Service Authority. This event generated about 10,000 pounds of equipment. Today each collection event averages between 50,000 and 75,000 pounds. We now have partnerships across the state with other nonprofits, government agencies, and church/community groups that have allowed us to spread our message of Reuse, Refurbish, Recycle. These communities have enjoyed the benefits of preventing tens of thousands of pounds of electronic waste from entering their landfills and contaminating their ground water.

They have also seen the positive social impact that refurbishment and donation can bring to their community. Whether it's a usable computer for a classroom that did not have one due to budgetary constraints or an afternoon program for disadvantaged children set up in a local church, everyone agrees that providing access to technology enriches the lives of everyone involved.

Recipients

Within this section is a comprehensive record of recipients that received donations from CRVA. If your organization is not listed, please have them contact us to see how we can assist them with their needs.

• Schools and School Systems
• Nonprofit Organizations
• Government

Computer Recycling of Virginia, Inc. offers a number of services to promote our mission throughout the community:

Business Recycling Services

We can send a crew to remove donated surplus equipment from your office. Freight and labor fees may apply and are determined on a case by case basis. There will never be any hidden charges or fees for our services, and in most cases we can work with you to remove your surplus equipment at no charge. If you would like CRVA to provide electronic recycling for your business, fill out this simple online form

Corporate Donation Program

CRVA can simplify the process of getting your corporate equipment repaired and delivered to recipients that have requested a donation from your corporation. If you would like to inquire about CRVA recycling your surplus electronic equipment, please fill out this simple online form

Drop Off Sites

Partnerships across the state provide locations where donations may be collected. All materials come to CRVA for processing