The Electronic Recycling Association (ERA) is pleased to launch the 2026 ERA Scholarship Competition, designed to empower Canadian students to lead community-based electronic recycling initiatives while gaining real-world marketing, project management, and leadership experience.
Eligibility
Applicants must be full-time or part-time students residing in Canada.
Students located outside ERA’s operating regions (Vancouver, Calgary, Edmonton, Saskatoon, Winnipeg, Toronto, Halifax, Ottawa, and Montreal) may be subject to adjusted participation requirements. Please refer to the FAQ for details.
Why ERA Hosts This Competition
ERA is committed to engaging communities across Canada through education, environmental stewardship, and social impact initiatives. This scholarship competition provides students with an opportunity to gain hands-on experience, build their resumes, and make a meaningful impact in their communities—while competing for financial support toward their education.
What We’re Looking For
Participants are asked to develop and execute a marketing plan and organize an electronic waste collection initiative in their community. You will be responsible for planning, promotion, outreach, and execution.
We want to see your creativity, initiative, and ability to mobilize your networks. How will you raise awareness? How will you engage your school, local businesses, and community partners?
Following the submission deadline, ERA’s team will evaluate each participant’s results and select winners based on overall performance.
How to Collect Items
Participants may collect items through one or more of the following methods:
1. ERA Pickups (App or Website Requests)
Encourage individuals and businesses to submit pickup requests via the ERA iOS/Android app or website form using your Scholarship ID.
- ERA will provide free pickup for 20+ approved items.
- Non-approved items may be accepted for a fee (credit card or e-transfer), and will still count toward scholarship totals if fees are paid.
2. Corporate Pickups
Coordinate corporate pickups on behalf of ERA.
- ERA will collect 20 or more computing devices from companies across Canada.
- Secure hard drive destruction is available.
- For example: 100 devices and 100 hard drives can be securely destroyed offsite at no charge.
3. Community Collection Events
Organize community or workplace electronics collection events in partnership with ERA.
Accepted Items
Laptops, desktop computers, cell phones, tablets, servers, monitors, networking equipment, gaming consoles, and similar electronics.
Not accepted:
❌ Household or personal electronics
❌ Televisions
Please see the FAQ for a complete list. Contact ERA if you are unsure whether an item qualifies.
Where to Promote
Promote your collection event online and within your community, including:
- Schools and campuses
- Businesses and offices
- Community centres
- Local malls
- Neighbourhoods
- Social media platforms
- Any creative outreach ideas you develop
Competition Timeline
- Start Date: April 1, 2026
- End Date: November 15th, 2026
- Please provide ERA with at least four (4) weeks’ notice before hosting any collection event.
How Winners Are Selected
Winners will be determined based on:
- Quantity and quality of equipment collected
- Effectiveness and reach of marketing efforts (online and offline)
- Overall organization and execution of the initiative
Please tag ERA in your social media promotions and use #ERAScholarship.
Maintain records of your outreach and marketing efforts for your final report.
ERA Social Channels:
- Twitter/X: @donaterecycleit
- Facebook: @electronic.recycling.association
- Instagram: @electronicrecyclingassociation
- LinkedIn: @electronicrecyclingassociation
How ERA Supports Your Event
Once your event is planned, contact ERA to coordinate support (minimum four weeks’ notice required). Support may include:
- Providing a collection cage and ERA banner
- Pickup of collected electronics at the end of the event
- On-site staff and truck support (especially for weekend events)
Participants are encouraged to create additional signage and marketing materials to personalize their events.
How to Enter
Complete the scholarship application form below. An ERA representative will follow up with you.
Frequently Asked Questions – Click Here
Scholarship Prizes
- $10,000 (Includes laptop and 3 laptops for charity)
- $5,000 ((Includes laptop and 3 laptops for charity)
- $3,000 (Includes laptop and 3 laptops for charity)
- $1,000 (Includes laptop and 3 laptops for charity)
- $1,000 ((Includes laptop and 3 laptops for charity)
- Laptop and 3 laptops for charity
- Laptop and 3 laptops for charity
- Laptop and 3 laptops for charity
- Laptop and 3 laptops for charity
- Laptop and 3 laptops for charity
Note: Laptops units are refurbished.
Rules & Guidelines
- Open to students residing in Canada.
- Applications open April 1, 2026. Final results must be submitted by November 15th, 2026.
- No purchase is necessary to enter.
- Winners will be announced in Decemeber 2026 on ERA’s website and social media (subject to change).
- Winners will be contacted directly. Failure to respond within one (1) week may result in disqualification.
- Winners will be tagged in scholarship-related communications.
- ERA retains rights to all marketing materials submitted and may use them for promotional purposes.
- Any social media accounts created specifically for the scholarship must be transferred to ERA upon completion of the competition. Failure to provide account access will result in disqualification.