This page is read only. You may view, but not change it. ===== From E-Waste to Empowerment: The Story of The Computer Upcycle Project ===== * **Speaker**: Mike Kelly * **Room**: 250 * **Time**: Friday, [[https://pretalx.seagl.org/2026/talk/DEKVE9.ics|Oct 23rd 11:30 – 12:20]] * **Format**: Talk (50 min) * **Difficulty**: Beginner * **Additional Tags**: E-waste, Linux, Community, Upcycling, NixOS, Hardware * **Experience**: CTO, Developer and Co-Founder of MemberVault; uses Linux exclusively for development and hosting. ==== Description: ==== A small effort to keep old laptops out of landfills grew into The Computer Upcycle Project, a community upcycling program that's refurbished 3,000+ computers for people in need. This talk shares how a local donation program in Olympia, WA turned into a full-scale computer reuse effort—breathing new life into old hardware with a mix of Linux systems, including Debian, Bazzite, Fedora, and Nixbook OS (a simple, stable, auto-updating NixOS-based build). Learn how thoughtful design, the right OS for the right machine, and community action turn e-waste into opportunity. Project URL: https://computerupcycleproject.org/ **Target Audience:** * Linux enthusiasts and sysadmins * Community organizers and activists * People interested in sustainability and e-waste reduction
