The Robotics Tech Salvage Yard

“From Junk to Genius: Pittsburgh’s Circular Innovation Loop”

Community Tech Drop Zone — Fueling Innovation, Not Landfills

We proudly operate the Yarian Tech Salvage Yard, a safe, public-facing technology drop-off station at our Makerspace. Residents, small businesses, schools, and organizations are encouraged to bring in:

🖥️ Obsolete computers, monitors, and laptops
🔧 Mechanical parts, motors, gears, sensors
🔋 Used batteries and lithium components (stored safely)
📟 Routers, phones, printers, consoles, and DIY leftovers

Why we do this:

These materials are often functional in parts, if not whole
Perfect for youth tinkering, robotics, circuitry, and repair training
Low-income creators can access free starter gear and learn hands-on
Engineers and artists use them for upcycling and prototyping

How it works:

Donations are triaged into salvage, reuse, or responsible disposal
Reusable components are cataloged in a public inventory
Workshops teach safe dismantling, part testing, and restoration
Each reclaimed item powers a new project, reducing e-waste

Community Bonus:
Nothing draws people into the space like a walk through bins of forgotten tech — it sparks curiosity, storytelling, and the realization that knowledge grows when tools are shared.

Greentech Service — Sustainability, Education, and Funding Aligned

Beyond community engagement, the Tech Salvage Yard provides measurable environmental and educational value — a critical hook for federal and foundation-level eco-sustainability grants.

Eco Impact:

Metric	Target
Devices diverted from landfill	500+ per year
Batteries safely stored & recycled	1,000+ units/year
Pounds of e-waste recovered	10,000+ lbs/year
Upcycled into student projects	100+ annually

Grant-Relevant Opportunities:

We align directly with:

EPA Environmental Education Grants – teaching reuse/recovery
NSF Greening STEM – combining sustainability + technology learning
DOE Clean Energy Innovation – supporting battery safety education
Local funding via PA DEP e-waste initiatives and Allegheny County clean-tech microgrants

We also reduce equipment costs for AI and robotics projects by 25–40%, making our programs more accessible and economically scalable.

Summary Statement for Use in Grant Apps

“By turning Pittsburgh’s electronic waste stream into a supply chain for learning and invention, the Yarian Makerspace simultaneously reduces environmental impact, increases access to STEM pathways, and builds circular infrastructure rooted in local engagement.”