About the Playbook

In 2023, Good Things Foundation published two key reports Circular Electronics for Social Good: a research partnership with Deloitte and CEP and Public Sector Pioneers: reusing IT equipment to bridge the digital divide, a research partnership with University of Liverpool. The aim of these reports was to not only raise awareness of the role that IT reuse could play in fixing the digital divide but to also begin addressing the barriers and enablers that organisations might face in contributing to such schemes.

This Playbook has been developed thanks to a continuing partnership between Good Things Foundation and the University of Liverpool. The content has been written in response to findings from both of the published reports, workshops with public sector organisations that have been leading the way in setting up their own device reuse schemes and case studies from private sector organisations that have begun to embed IT reuse into their asset management processes.

Authors

Dr. Jeanette D’Arcy, Post Doctoral Research Associate, University of Liverpool
Dr. Rebecca Harris, Post Doctoral Research Associate, University of Liverpool
Dr. Emma Stone, Director of Evidence and Engagement, Good Things Foundation
Natasha Early, Partnerships and Fundraising Manager, Good Things Foundation
Natasha Bright-Wray, Associate Director Communications, Campaigns and Advocacy, Good Things Foundation

Please note: DSIT and the members of the Charter Steering Group (consisted of Good Things Foundation, VodafoneThree, Deloitte LLP*) shall not be liable for any action or inaction as a result of the material in this publication or for the quality of devices being donated to individuals or for any financial, legal, commercial or other consequences arising following the implementation of the principles set out in the Charter.

The Digital Divide

In today’s digital society, it is important for people to be able to access the internet. So many aspects of our lives now happen online – paying bills, making appointments, applying for jobs and financial support, doing homework and schoolwork, as well as staying in touch with family and friends, and much more.

There are many people in the UK who struggle to get online. 2.4 million UK households can’t afford their mobile contract (Ofcom Communications Affordability Tracker ) and 8.5 million adults lack basic digital skills (Lloyds Consumer Digital Index 2023 ). According to Ofcom’s 2024 Childrens Literacy Report a third of all schoolchildren do not have an appropriate device for learning at home and the Lloyds Consumer Digital Index 2023 also highlighted that 1.5 million people do not have access to a smartphone, tablet or laptop. Digital inclusion work such as that provided by Good Things Foundation, who provide devices, skills and mobile connectivity for those in need, helps to bridge this digital divide.

Electronic waste in the UK

In the UK, an estimated 2 million tons of electronic, or e-waste, is discarded by companies and households each year, including large volumes of IT equipment such as computers and laptops – the third largest category of e-waste in the UK (Health and Safety Executive, 2019). There are 30,000 small electrical and electronic products that could be reused that are recycled each week (Restart 2023). Electronic goods represent a substantial proportion of an organisation’s carbon emissions (Circular Electronics Partnership 2024), and up to 200,000 tonnes of business electricals are being thrown away with general waste (Material Focus 2024). Almost 40% of laptops dropped off for recycling are likely to be fit for reuse instead (Wrap 2017 ), and ‘Drawers of doom’ (Jennifer Clair Robson. 2024 ) hold up to 880 million unused items sitting in UK homes some of which (e.g. computers, laptops and mobile phones) could be donated through digital inclusion schemes (Material Focus 2023 ).

Promoting circularity

Contributing devices that are no longer in use not only means they will not go to landfill, but can be passed on to people who really need them. Promoting circularity and reusing devices rather than buying new helps to tackle climate change. The UK government is moving towards a circular economy approach. Both the public and private sectors can be role models in embedding a circular approach into their strategies for IT asset management – as demonstrated in Good Things Foundation and University of Liverpool’s Public Sector Pioneers report .

Why reuse devices for social good?

Digital inclusion support in the form of providing a device, along with connectivity and skills support if required, gives everyone an equal opportunity to use and benefit from technology and the internet. Contributing devices and other IT equipment for reuse and helping people in need in their local communities changes people’s lives, opens up opportunities, is better for the planet, and promotes a circular economy. It’s a win-win!

Acknowledgements

Charter Steering Group

Charter Working Group

* Deloitte LLP is a limited liability partnership registered in England and Wales with registered number OC303675 and its registered office at 1 New Street Square, London EC4A 3HQ, United Kingdom. Deloitte LLP is the United Kingdom affiliate of Deloitte NSE LLP, a member firm of Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu Limited, a UK private company limited by guarantee (“DTTL”). DTTL and each of its member firms are legally separate and independent entities. DTTL and Deloitte NSE LLP do not provide services to clients.