Frequently Asked Questions (F.A.Q)

(Last Update: 25 October 2024)

Who owns this place?

As a 501(c)(3) Tax-Exempt Organization, Free Geek of Arkansas (FGAR) does not have owners. It does, however, have a Board of Directors, who volunteer their time.

What do you do with all this stuff?

We strive to refurbish, repurpose, resell, and reuse as much as possible. After exhausting all other options, we sell scrap to our downstream recyclers. Since 2007, FGAR’s recycling program has diverted over 500 tons of electronics from the landfill.

What charitable programs does Free Geek offer? How does Free Geek help those in need?

We have a Geek Gift program which provides a free computer for qualifying individuals and other non-profits. We also offer a Low Income Desktop Kit ($30 for a desktop computer for qualifying individuals).

What all do you take?

We accept any electronics in any condition (even if it’s broken, dirty, or old) from anybody, except for large appliances (AC unit, stove, fridge, etc). This includes desktop and laptop computers, CRT (Cathode Ray Tube) televisions AKA Tube TVs, flat screen/plasma TVs, Projector TVs, printers, ink and toner, cords, cables, batteries, keyboards, mice, VCRs, stereo receivers, microwaves, blenders, vacuum cleaners, etc. Pretty much anything that plugs into the wall or uses a battery.

Do y’all extract the gold and other precious metals?

No. Such an endeavor would involve a highly toxic and dangerous chemical engineering process, which we are ill-equipped to undertake. Additionally, we would lose money doing so, as the amount of unprocessed material required to turn a profit far exceeds what we receive. Smelters and forgers are, perhaps, two steps removed from us in the electronic scrap supply chain.

do y’all trade/buy?

We do not trade or buy. We can only accept material as a donation.

How do y’all make money? Do y’all make a profit?

FGAR generates revenue primarily (~90%) through the Thrift Store. The rest is from monetary donations and selling electronics as scrap to downstream recyclers. FGAR just barely breaks even financially.

Infrequently Asked Questions (I.F.Q.)

Do y’all get any financial support from the government?

Yes, but not much. FGAR received grants from the Arkansas Department* of Environmental Quality (ADEQ) from 2016 through 2021 ranging from $10,000 to $20,000 per year. ADEQ’s E-Waste Grant program was not funded from 2022 to 2024. FGAR has applied for ADEQ’s E-Waste Grant for 2025, but awards will not be announced until later this year. We do not receive funding from the City of Fayetteville, Washington County, or the United States Federal Government.

*In 2019, ADEQ was reclassified from a Department to a Division. ADEQ is now under the Arkansas Department of Energy and Environment.

I’ve heard of other Free Geeks in Portland, Oregon, Toronto, and Twin Cities. Is Free Geek a franchise?

No. The various Free Geeks are independent operations, with only the name and the mission in common.

Questions You Should Be Asking But Aren’t (Q.Y.S.B.A.B.A.)

How much money does Free Geek to be fully-staffed with paid positions, to pay its bills, and fully support its programs?

We estimate around $350,000.

And how much revenue does Free Geek generate in a year?

Around $150,000.