Electronic waste is a huge problem. With computers, phones and tablets replaced at a fairly rapid rate, lots of electronics end up needing to be disposed of. Unfortunately, lots of people simply throw this stuff away. Electronics have all kinds of toxins in them which, when disposed of improperly, can end up in drinking water.
Tony Selvaggio from Scrap On Spot came by to talk to us about their Destruction Zone at Gulf Coast MakerCon, as well as the company's recycling program. The company takes in old electronics and, working with partners, breaks them down for their hazardous and reusable pieces. Many precious metals, such as gold, are common on circuit boards, and some rare elements, such as neodymium magnets, can be reused in other products.
In addition to their display at MakerCon, the company also help raise money for organizations, such as churches, youth groups and robotics clubs, through their recycling drives. It is definitely a pleasure to see a company help protect the environment and give back to their community.
Scott is a developer who has worked on projects of varying sizes, including all of the PLUGHITZ Corporation properties. He is also known in the gaming world for his time supporting the rhythm game community, through DDRLover and hosting tournaments throughout the Tampa Bay Area. Currently, when he is not working on software projects or hosting F5 Live: Refreshing Technology, Scott can often be found returning to his high school days working with the Foundation for Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology (FIRST), mentoring teams and helping with ROBOTICON Tampa Bay. He has also helped found a student software learning group, the ASCII Warriors, currently housed at AMRoC Fab Lab.
Daniele is a student at Florida Polytechnic University who is studying Computer Science with a concentration in Cyber Security. In High School, she was introduced to the science and technology world through the Foundation for Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology (FIRST), a robotics foundation where students of varying ages can compete through tasks that their robots perform. With help from mentors she met through FIRST, she became interested in programming and developing. Today, Daniele is a special events host for F5 Live: Refreshing Technology and PLuGHiTz Live Special Events and a co-host for both The New Product Launchpad and FIRST Looks.