MORE than 500 unwanted electrical items were donated during a special event in Frome.
Somerset-based charity, Donate IT, was at the town hall on January 31 for a tech amnesty, which encouraged people to drop off old, unused or unwanted devices for recycling and reuse.
In total, 527 digital devices – including 240 phones, 99 laptops and 94 tablets were dropped off to the team, along with cables, accessories and chargers – with the total weighing more than a tonne.
Everything donated will be securely wiped of personal data before being refurbished and donated to people in need, or recycled responsibly within the UK.
Donate IT founder, Simon Barfoot, said: “Now everything is safely back at HQ, we start data wiping, testing and refurbishing, before handing back to the many people on our waiting list who need tech to be able to have a better quality of life.
“That could be for learning, job hunting, managing a medical condition, or just staying in touch with family and friends.
“When you donate a device, you don’t just save it from landfill or clear space in a drawer – you could also be making a huge difference to someone you’ll never meet.”
READ MORE: Tech recycling and reuse charity rolling out to more Somerset locations
He said digital devices that could not be reused contributed to a circular economy – limiting the amount of new items.
“Anything that can’t be donated is put back into the circular economy – via the gold, lithium, copper and aluminium in devices, that can be mined and reused – all here in the UK and far easier to recover than digging for it in a mine,” he added.
“Better for the planet and better for UK PLC. There just isn’t a downside to what we do.”
Anita Collier, Mayor of Frome, dropped in to the amnesty and said: “Simon’s passion and commitment to this excellent cause is so clear when you speak to him – and what a brilliant turnout on a very wet day, with so many devices collected.
“We collect devices at the town hall all year round, so even if you missed the amnesty this time, you can bring unwanted smartphones and other tech at any time in office hours and leave with reception. Donate IT will collect it from us.”
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