When You Donate Your Computer to reBOOT Canada

reBOOT Canada has been trusted with tens of thousands of retired IT devices for over thirty years. That trust means we owe you, our donors, a clear explanation of how we operate: what actually happens to the devices you donate, and what you can expect once they leave your hands.

We need to receive thousands of qualifying devices to support the organization annually. This means managing the coordination of IT equipment recovery and disposition for hundreds of corporate and institutional donors every year.

Naturally, there’s a lot of variation in quality, condition and remaining useful life of the devices we receive. Not every donated device follows the same path. Some go directly into our charitable programs. Some generate revenues that fund our programs. Some are disposed of responsibly through certified local recycling partners.

When a device arrives at reBOOT Canada, it goes into one of three streams:

Stream 1 – Program

Devices eligible for our reSTART or reSOURCE programs – Most Helpful

Stream 1 devices are deployed to low-income families and community organizations through our reSTART and reSOURCE programs. Canadians living with low income who receive one of these devices gain access to employment, online education, government services, and the basic digital infrastructure that most of us rely on daily. If your device meets Stream 1 criteria, it is going directly to work.

Criteria: Stream 1

Laptops and desktops: Intel 6th generation Core i3 or better (or equivalent AMD); DDR4 or DDR5 memory; functional condition; no software or hardware lock

Keyboards and mice: New in box or open box only

Monitors: 21 inches or larger; less than 8 years old; clean, intact and functional; no major blemish or scratch; has HDMI and/or DisplayPort and original stand

Capability: All devices must be capable of running a current, supported operating system with low additional investment

Stream 2 – Reuse

Devices with residual commercial value that generate funds to support our programs – Helpful

Not every donated device can or should be deployed to a family in need — but many retain real commercial value and can generate revenue to support our organization and programs. Stream 2 devices are made available to wholesale and retail markets through our storefront and online channels.

Criteria: Stream 2

Devices that do not meet Stream 1 criteria but retain measurable market value

Older laptops, desktops, and peripherals that are functional and re-marketable

Stream 3 – Recycle

Devices with no remarketing value but recoverable material or component value – Helpful Sometimes

A device may be in perfect physical condition, power on with no problem – yet have no commercial value due to operating system changes, security vulnerabilities, regulatory requirements, or obsolescence. Value can be assessed at prevailing price per kilogram of e-waste.

No device donated to reBOOT Canada ends up in a landfill. Any components that can be harvested will be.

Through our certified recycling partnerships, we ensure these devices are processed locally and responsibly, in compliance with the highest environmental (ex: R2, Basel Convention, and ISO 90001), safety and employment standards.

Certificate of Recycling: A certificate attesting to safe and certified recycling is available for a fee of $75.00 + HST and is recommended for corporate donors with audit or compliance obligations.

Criteria: Stream 3

Devices that are obsolete beyond commercial viability or otherwise non-functional

Charitable Tax Receipts

For devices in Stream 1 and Stream 2, a tax receipt is normally issued based on Fair Market Value (FMV) determined by reference to completed eBay or other market sales information at time of evaluation. The charity uses all available information about condition and quality; however, reBOOT Canada is solely responsible for assigning each donation to a stream and determining the fair market value reported on any tax receipt issued.

For donations in Stream 3, a tax receipt may be issued where aggregate scrap FMV exceeds $50.00. Below this threshold, no receipt would normally be issued. However, a Certificate of Recycled Material attesting to safe and certified responsible recycling of the donation is available for a fee of $75.00 + HST.

Example of items with low to no value that we often receive:

1. Unsorted boxes/bags of loose misc cords – Coaxial, RJ45s (even in pristine new bagged condition), random USB cords or audio cords, etc.
2. Worn keyboards and mice
3. Used monitors without stands or original power adapters
4. Smartphones/tablets that haven’t been factory reset and still hold user data or locked to an account
5. VOIP phones
6. Printers with missing parts or no longer have current drivers so cannot support Windows 11
7. Telecom equipment, copper wires, or gear that is specific to providers, ie, network modem/router supplied by ISP Telus/Rogers, PVRs and set top boxes
8. Consumer audio/video and home entertainment components

For Corporate and Institutional Donors

We understand that corporate IT refreshes operate on a timeline. Completing the pledge form at rebootcanada.ca/donate in advance with some detailed device information enables a smooth recovery process and a timely preparation of documentation back to you. We’ll ask you for the following:

Inventory of device makes, models and quantities.
Data sanitization certificate requirements
Contact person for pickup arrangements, tax receipt delivery, invoicing if required, and any follow-up on Stream 3 disposition.

For Residential Donors

We appreciate the intent behind every donation. A few things worth knowing before you bring a device in:

Before you donate your device, please double check the following:

Disable “Find my iPhone” on Apple products or “Find my Device” on Android devices.
Disable BitLocker encryption on newer Windows devices.
Reset any Apple and Android devices, remove iCloud/Gmail accounts and any other password restrictions before donating.
Older devices may not qualify for our programs. A laptop from 2014, even in perfect condition, does not meet our current reSTART program criteria and may have limited Stream 2 value.
Condition matters. A device that powers on and functions will always be worth more than one that does not. However, it does not guarantee that the device is reuseable.
We focus on computers, laptops, and related peripherals. If you are unsure whether your device qualifies, reach out before making the trip at info@rebootcanada.ca. We can’t accept other household electronics, automotive, personal hygiene, or medical devices.

Data Security and Chain of Custody

Every device accepted by reBOOT Canada is subject to a documented chain of custody from the moment of transfer. Our certified logistics partner will be engaged to collect and transport your donated equipment in a secure vehicle directly to a controlled processing facility, where they enter quarantine until data sanitization is complete. Data sanitization will always precede refurbishment. Every viable device is serialized and logged into our asset management system, creating an auditable record through each stage: data sanitization, refurbishment, quality assurance, and redistribution. Data destruction is performed using the NIST 800-88 standard. Devices assessed as non-viable are directed to certified recycling partners, with disposition recorded against the original asset ID. No device leaves the chain of custody unaccounted for. Documentation of the sanitization process — including destruction certificates referencing individual device serial numbers — is available to corporate donors on request, subject to a nominal administrative fee.

Get in Touch

Whether you are a corporation planning a fleet refresh or an individual with a laptop you no longer need, we are glad to hear from you and we appreciate your trust with your retired IT assets.

For more information about donating equipment to reBOOT Canada, please visit rebootcanada.ca/donate or email donations@rebootcanada.ca