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Community Corner

2 Million Pounds of Electronics Translates to Jobs for Adults with Barriers to Employment

Tech Dump, an electronics recycling nonprofit, recently celebrated significant growth, collecting 2 million pounds of electronics in 2013. With total weight in 2012 just under 700 thousand pounds, 2013 was a year of significant growth.

Tom McCullough, Executive Director of Tech Dump, shared, “We are thrilled to hit this major poundage milestone, but we are even more excited about the number of jobs we have added during the past year. As we doubled in the amount of pounds recycled, we also doubled in the amount of jobs created for ex-offenders, those in the alcohol/drug recovery process, or adults lacking job skills. Our staff increased from 11 at the end of 2012 to 22 at the end of 2013.” 

Tech Dump is a local nonprofit fully funded through the collection andrecycling of electronics; items are refurbished and recycled in an environmentally friendly way while providing stable jobs and on-the-job training to economically disadvantaged adults. Tech Dump reports that for every 72 thousand pounds collected, approximately one job is created for a year.
 
McCullough continued, “We look forward to a great 2014, hoping everyone will consider how just by cleaning out their back closets and drawers, they can provide an adult that is ‘unemployable’ in the eyes of other employers, the opportunity to earn a new reputation and regain their financial independence.” 

Tech Dump invites both residents and businesses to learn more about their service at TechDump.org and to either drop off items to their warehouse in Golden Valley, schedule a pick-up, or consider hosting an electronics recycling collection event.

TechDump.org is a division of Jobs Foundation, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit providing stable jobs to economically disadvantaged adults to obtain marketable job skills and a pathway to self-sufficiency. TechDump.org accomplishes this through the collection and recycling of electronics which not only support a green initiative, but also uses the proceeds from recycling and refurbishing to create jobs for those with barriers to employment. To find out more, visit their website at TechDump.org.

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