Hundreds of millions of PCs are decommissioned annually. Yet less than 1 in 250 are refurbished for deserving communities.

Why donate?

Computers and software play a vital role in educational, social and economic development in both developed and emerging nations. Just one computer in a school can have a profound impact on many lives by equipping teachers and students with new skills that can help them to learn more, secure employment and participate in the knowledge economy.

Organisations here in the UK dispose of millions of computers every year that are surplus to their requirements as a result of organisational restructuring and technology refresh programs. Most of these computers end up in landfill sites or are recycled, irrespective of whether they are working or not. Only a tiny percentage of computers end up being reused by anyone, let alone by people in technologically disadvantaged communities.

Providing high quality refurbished computers to disadvantaged schools and communities is a cost effective and efficient way to give people affordable access to modern technology that might otherwise be out of their reach. Computers that are considered obsolete or redundant are still useful because they can run modern software and connect to the internet, helping those who use them to accelerate their education and learning. Access to this technology provides essential IT literacy skills that help people to secure employment. Online public information resources and modern communication tools like email may also help people to lead healthier and more productive lives.

Giving refurbished computers costs a fraction of the cost of giving new computers and as long as the computers are in good condition and well maintained, they can provide many years of good use for beneficiaries.

Giving refurbished computers is also better for the environment as it reduces unnecessary waste of PCs that used large amounts of fossil fuels and chemicals to manufacture in the first place.

The issues

Many organisations would like to provide refurbished computers to schools and communities but are reluctant to do so because of the business risks involved. Organisations need to be assured that they are not going to lose confidential information from previously owned computers and all the legal aspects involved will be taken care of by the organisation that refurbishes their computers.

Organisations that already provide refurbished computers to communities (or would like to) are also concerned about environmental issues that are in the media spotlight such as e-waste dumping and harmful e-waste recycling practices in developing countries where charities supply donated PCs. Many of these countries simply do not have the current capacity to responsibly recycle toxic e-waste and the consequences of not addressing this problem can be hugely damaging to health and to the local environment.

Another concern that is often voiced by donors is their desire to see more transparency when dealing with charitable organisations so they can clearly see the impact their donations have made in communities that matter most to them.

Organisations that need computers also have their concerns. They want to be sure that they will receive useful PCs that are in good working condition. They also need to know that they can rely on whoever supplies them with PCs to help them wherever needed to set up, use and maintain their equipment.