This article is the launch of a new paid partnership: Recycled by Digital Bridge. As part of this program, from time to time, I’ll highlight the important work happening at Digital Bridge, Milwaukee’s e-waste recycler. I’ll also “recycle” tech articles from the past. Because good stories deserve a second life, too!
For this article, I interviewed Michael Regione, VP of sales and marketing at Digital Bridge.
Digital Bridge was founded by Jeff Hanson who started refurbishing laptops from the campus of the Milwaukee School of Engineering (MSOE).
Michael was in software startups and healthcare technology leading up to him joining Digital Bridge.
He now leads the growth of Digital Bridge, including programs that keep electronics out of landfills by getting them into the hands of people who truly need them.
You never know what you’re going to get when you enter a Walker’s Point warehouse.
As you might expect, I’ve toured my fair share of old warehouse buildings throughout Milwaukee.
In most, I cross my fingers and clench my cell phone, hoping not to get trapped somewhere in the building. Also, that nothing collapses on me unexpectedly.
This day, as I approached the HQ of Digital Bridge on 2nd street, sort of between Walker’s Point and the Third Ward, I nervously wondered what was in store for me.
However, rather than cringy corners and dangerous maneuvers, I stepped into an organized, safe, clean space filled with tech gear donated by those hoping for a second life for their laptops, televisions, phones, and more.
Oh, and I was greeted with enthusiastic, smiling faces from the Digital Bridge team, now totaling about 20 employees.
What started as a dream at MSOE now has real-world impact. Especially with those who need tech the most.
After a walk up the stairs, I settled in to chat with Michael. Within minutes, I forgot I was there to learn more about e-waste.
Because we ended up talking about people.
There was the guy in Connecticut who saw Michael on the Weather Channel and reached out to ship his Macs to Milwaukee. There was the community near Madison that filled a 20-foot truck with TVs, camcorders, old video games.
But the one that almost made me tear up was when Michael mentioned the woman who applied to and landed her first job on a laptop donated by Digital Bridge.
That’s the thing about Digital Bridge. It’s not just an organization that recycles e-waste. It’s an organization putting tens of thousands of laptops to those who need tech the most. And it’s an organization that finally gives us permission to let go of what’s been sitting in our basements.
Which is why I’m so pumped to launch this partnership.
So welcome to the first of an ongoing series: Recycled by Digital Bridge. Because, like your old laptop, good stories deserve a second life, too.
Don’t stop here, listen to my full interview with Michael below or on Spotify.
And if you have an old laptop, well now you know where to send it:
Love you, Milwaukee!