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What Is the E-Waste Challenge?

A program that transforms recycling into an engaging and educational game for students. By turning classrooms into digital learning hubs and recycling centers, we empower students to drive change — one device at a time.

Built by the Digital Education Foundation and powered by eSmart Recycling, this program helps students, teachers, and communities learn, act, and compete while solving the e-waste crisis.

Why It Matters

Without hands-on education, awareness isn’t enough. This program gives students the tools, motivation, and incentives to build a better future.

Only 22% of e-waste is recycled globally.
0 %
112,000 computers are thrown away daily in the U.S.
0 K
Nearly half of U.S. workers lack basic digital skills.
0 %
1 in 10 households doesn’t have access to a connected device
0 %

How It works

Schools sign up and become official E-Waste Challenge Hubs
Teachers onboard students using plug-and-play lesson plans
Students bring old electronics from home for recycling
Weekly challenges teach and gamify recycling and digital skills
Schools and students compete for rewards and recognition
Top performers win experiences, prizes, and visibility

Sponsor a Tech Hub

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Key Features

Without hands-on education, awareness isn’t enough. This program gives students the tools, motivation, and incentives to build a better future.

Mobile-first student
portal

Weekly & monthly gamified challenges

Points, badges, and leaderboards

Teacher dashboard and impact tracking

Sponsor-branded student rewards and missions

Story-driven reporting with media assets

Why Partner with Us?

  • Brand visibility in classrooms and challenges
  • Custom dashboards and reports for CSR/ESG
  • Employee involvement (volunteer, mentorship, prize events)
  • Co-branded media features, student interviews, and testimonials
  • First-mover advantage in a replicable, scalable initiative
Download our pitch deck

Join the
Challenge

We gamify learning. We recycle with purpose. We connect students to the future they deserve.

Let’s Work Together to Close
the Digital Divide

MVP Live Demo:
https://st-digitalfoundation.vercel.app

This challenge is part of a powerful ecosystem. While eSmart Recycling collects the used devices, DEF leads the impact-delivering refurbished computers, training, and support to underserved schools and families.

Together, we turn recycling into real-world education.

“Every story we tell is a chance to bring someone new into this movement.”

Dannet Leon

Marketing & Communications Manager

Storyteller. Strategist. Builder of bridges.

Dannet leads storytelling and strategic communication at DEF, where they connect mission to message across partnerships, campaigns, and digital platforms. With experience in purpose-driven marketing and social impact storytelling, they shape the narratives that help donors, sponsors, and community partners see themselves in the work of bridging the digital divide.
From crafting pitch decks and donor campaigns to amplifying student success stories, Dannet ensures the impact of DEF is seen, felt, and supported—online and off.
Tony founded the Digital Education Foundation to scale that impact, designing turnkey programs that empower students, schools, and families through refurbished technology and digital literacy. His work is driven by a core belief: technology is more than a tool—it’s a lifeline to education, employment, and equity.

Dannet Leon

Founder & CEO

Storyteller. Strategist. Builder of bridges.

Dannet leads storytelling and strategic communication at DEF, where they connect mission to message across partnerships, campaigns, and digital platforms. With experience in purpose-driven marketing and social impact storytelling, they shape the narratives that help donors, sponsors, and community partners see themselves in the work of bridging the digital divide.
From crafting pitch decks and donor campaigns to amplifying student success stories, Dannet ensures the impact of DEF is seen, felt, and supported—online and off.
Tony founded the Digital Education Foundation to scale that impact, designing turnkey programs that empower students, schools, and families through refurbished technology and digital literacy. His work is driven by a core belief: technology is more than a tool—it’s a lifeline to education, employment, and equity.

“Every story we tell is a chance to bring someone new into this movement.”

“When we connect families to technology, we connect them to possibility.”

Veatrice Farrell

Chief Community Officer

Equity strategist. Connector. Grant-getter.

Veatrice leads DEF’s community strategy, championing access to technology for historically excluded populations. In 2025, her leadership helped secure a $6.9M federal grant recommendation from the NTIA to expand digital literacy across St. Petersburg—one of only a few projects selected nationwide.
With a background in banking and over a decade of community revitalization experience as Executive Director of Deuces Live, she brings both strategic insight and grassroots credibility. Veatrice ensures every DEF program—whether a Tech Hub, device drive, or training series—is rooted in real community need. She also co-leads Hypatia Collaborative and serves on several local arts boards, furthering her commitment to equity and cultural empowerment.

Veatrice Farrell

Chief Community Officer

Equity strategist. Connector. Grant-getter.

Veatrice leads DEF’s community strategy, championing access to technology for historically excluded populations. In 2025, her leadership helped secure a $6.9M federal grant recommendation from the NTIA to expand digital literacy across St. Petersburg—one of only a few projects selected nationwide.Tony founded the Digital Education Foundation to scale that impact, designing turnkey programs that empower students, schools, and families through refurbished technology and digital literacy. His work is driven by a core belief: technology is more than a tool—it’s a lifeline to education, employment, and equity.

“When we connect families to technology, we connect them to possibility.”

“We’re not just recycling devices. We’re transforming futures.”

Tony Selvaggio

Founder & CEO

Entrepreneur. Recycler. Impact visionary.

Tony is a purpose-driven entrepreneur focused on environmental sustainability and digital inclusion. He launched eSmart Recycling in 2014 to give discarded electronics a second life—transforming them into opportunity for underserved communities. Under his leadership, the company evolved into a leading social enterprise, blending responsible e-waste recycling with device donations and education access.
Tony founded the Digital Education Foundation to scale that impact, designing turnkey programs that empower students, schools, and families through refurbished technology and digital literacy. His work is driven by a core belief: technology is more than a tool—it’s a lifeline to education, employment, and equity.

Tony Selvaggio

Founder & CEO

Entrepreneur. Recycler. Impact visionary.

Tony is a purpose-driven entrepreneur focused on environmental sustainability and digital inclusion. He launched eSmart Recycling in 2014 to give discarded electronics a second life—transforming them into opportunity for underserved communities. Under his leadership, the company evolved into a leading social enterprise, blending responsible e-waste recycling with device donations and education access.
Tony founded the Digital Education Foundation to scale that impact, designing turnkey programs that empower students, schools, and families through refurbished technology and digital literacy. His work is driven by a core belief: technology is more than a tool—it’s a lifeline to education, employment, and equity.

“We’re not just recycling devices. We’re transforming futures.”