eWaste Warriors: Reboot Hour - Live & In Person Happy Hour for Networking
Details
Your last excuse to avoid Thanksgiving prep. You're welcome. 🍻
Before you're elbow-deep in mashed potatoes and family drama, join us for drinks, laughs, and a chance to be a literal tech superhero.
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### WHAT'S THE DEAL?
Think happy hour meets superhero origin story.
We're the eWaste Warriors—a crew of tech nerds, climate warriors, and generally cool humans who believe your old phone shouldn't end up poisoning a landfill when it could be changing someone's life instead.
Every month we gather to:
• Drink beverages ✅
• Meet interesting people ✅
• Save the planet (casually) ✅
• Drop off old tech that's been judging us from our junk drawers ✅
This month's special feature: Pre-Thanksgiving timing means you can finally clean out that drawer before your in-laws arrive.
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### HERE'S HOW IT WORKS
🍻 Show up → We're at Carpool in Ballston being social
🤝 Hang out → Meet startup founders, tech folks, do-gooders, and people who actually care about stuff
📱 Optional superhero moment → Drop off that old phone/laptop/tablet collecting dust
🎉 Feel awesome → Your junk = someone else's opportunity + you just saved the planet a little
No device? Still come. Seriously. We're here for the vibes.
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### WHY TUESDAY BEFORE THANKSGIVING IS PERFECT
✅ Procrastinate on grocery shopping
✅ Avoid early family arrivals
✅ Actually have an excuse to leave the house
✅ Clear out tech clutter before relatives judge your mess
✅ Upgrade guilt-free during Black Friday (drop off the old stuff first!)
✅ Last chance to be social before everyone vanishes into turkey comas
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### WHO SHOWS UP TO THESE THINGS?
• Startup people who need a break from their pitch decks
• Tech workers who want to network without the cringe
• Climate activists who also like beer
• People cleaning out their apartments
• Humans who want to do something good without it being weird
• You (hopefully)
Age range: honestly anyone cool is welcome
Vibe check: Casual, friendly, zero networking bro energy
First time coming? Perfect! Most people come solo and leave with new friends. We're a welcoming bunch.
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### WHAT HAPPENS TO YOUR OLD TECH?
Glad you asked! Your dusty devices get:
- Securely wiped (yes, all your embarrassing photos are gone)
- Refurbished and given to DMV folks who need them
- Or responsibly recycled if they're truly toast
Real talk: That laptop in your closet could help a student finish their degree, a job seeker land interviews, or someone start their business.
Also real talk: E-waste is toxic AF. 62 million tons created every year. Only 22% gets recycled properly. The rest? Landfills, illegal dumping, bad news bears.
So yeah, you're basically a superhero. 🛡️
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### EVENT DETAILS
📍 CARPOOL IN BALLSTON
900 N Glebe Rd, Arlington, VA
2 blocks from the Ballston Metro & Lots of parking
🗓️ Tuesday, November 25th, 2025
⏰ 6:00 PM - 8:30 PM (come whenever, leave whenever)
💰 Free to attend (buy your own drinks)
🎁 First 15 people get eWaste Warriors stickers (they're dope, trust us)
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### WHAT TO BRING
✅ Yourself (literally the only requirement) & a Friend
✅ Your sparkling personality (optional)
✅ An open mind (required)
✅ Optional: Old phones, laptops, tablets, headphones, game consoles
We accept: Smartphones • Laptops • Tablets • Gaming stuff • Headphones/earbuds
We can't take: Monitors • TVs (sorry, logistics)
Device locked? No worries, we'll help you figure it out
Device ancient? Even better, we love a challenge
No device? STILL COME. Seriously. The community is the best part.
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### ABOUT EWASTE WARRIORS
We're a volunteer-led movement tackling the global e-waste crisis one happy hour at a time.
Our mission: 🌍 Planet: Keep toxic tech out of landfills, reduce carbon emissions by up to 94%
👥 People: Bridge the digital divide for DMV communities—students, job seekers, entrepreneurs, federal workers
🇺🇸 Country: Urban mining to reclaim rare earth minerals and reduce import dependence
Our vibe: Comic book superhero meets climate action meets "let's just hang out"
We're part of the Tech Care Association (TCA)—the only nonprofit trade group for companies that repair, reuse, support, and recycle tech after sale.
Guardians of technology, protectors of the planet. 🛡️♻️
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### THE IMPACT IS REAL
Your unused device helps bridge the digital divide for DMV residents: • Students accessing online education • Job seekers landing interviews and work • Entrepreneurs launching their dreams • Federal workers staying connected
Plus, remanufactured devices emit up to 94% less CO₂ than new ones. One device = massive impact.
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### WHY THIS MATTERS RIGHT NOW
November = upgrade season. Black Friday deals are coming. You're probably getting new tech.
What happens to the old stuff? Most people shove it in a drawer where it sits forever, leaking toxic materials and wasting potential.
We're giving you an easy out: Drop it off Tuesday, feel good about it, then go buy that new iPhone guilt-free.
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### QUICK FAQ
Q: Do I have to bring a device?
A: Nope! Come empty-handed. We won't judge. (We might judge your dad jokes though.)
Q: Will this be awkward?
A: Only if you make it weird. It's a bar. With nice people. You'll be fine.
Q: I'm coming alone—is that okay?
A: Totally! Most people do. We'll introduce you around. You'll leave with new connections.
Q: What if I don't work in tech?
A: Even better! We need diversity. Bring your perspective.
Q: Can I bring a friend?
A: Please do. More friends = more impact = more fun.
Q: Is this actually making a difference?
A: Hell yeah. And we're just getting started.
Q: How do I find you when I arrive?
A: Look for the people with eWaste Warriors stickers/shirts, or just ask the bartender. We're friendly and easy to spot!
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### WANT TO GO DEEPER?
This is just our monthly social event. If you want to get more involved:
✅ Join our Slack community for ongoing projects and opportunities
✅ Volunteer for device collection events throughout the DMV
✅ Help with outreach, marketing, or operations
✅ Lead a project that matches your skills
Ask us at the event or DM the organizer!
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### CONNECT WITH US
🌐 Website: www.eWasteWarriors.org
📸 Instagram: e.wastewarriors
💼 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/ewaste-warriors/
💬 Questions? Message the organizer or comment below!
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### IMPORTANT: RSVP ON BOTH PLATFORMS
We're also tracking RSVPs on Lu.ma for better coordination:
👉 https://lu.ma/2lzgql9f?tk=ZCTgi7
RSVP on both if you can—it helps us plan better!
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### BOTTOM LINE
Show up Tuesday. Drink something. Meet cool people. Maybe drop off that old tech. Feel good about yourself before Thanksgiving guilt sets in.
See you there, warrior. 🛡️🦃✨