We often discuss the exponential growth of technology use and data in our lives. However, we must also recognize that not everyone has equal access to the opportunities that digital access enables. This can be due to lack of internet connection, lack of digital devices, or lack of access to digital devices.
Digital exclusion can be considered a new form of social deprivation, exacerbated by, and inextricably linked to, wider inequalities in society. Tackling the digital divide is an important way to ensure that everyone has the skills and equipment that they need to thrive.
Sims Lifecycle Services (SLS) is often asked to support charitable donation efforts with our global clients. In January SLS supported material company, Covestro’s donation of 400 laptops to Laptop Opvang (Laptop Shelter), an organization donating laptops to worthy causes in the Netherlands. Steven Somer, Director, founded Laptop Opvang in 2021 because he wanted to ensure that replaced laptops didn’t languish in drawers and cupboards when they could be making a difference to someone else. His organization arranges for good quality donated laptops to be donated to students, healthcare institutions and charities, helping people rebuild their lives and contributing to a more circular economy.
“We are grateful for every laptop that comes in. Imagine our feeling when a truck comes to deliver 3 pallets of 1000 kilos! This is equivalent to 400 families, refugees, and people with a disadvantage in the labor market receiving laptops. In one fell swoop, equipped with a laptop to study, keep in touch with home and apply for a better future.” Steven Somer, Laptop Opvang
Global real estate service company, JLL, recognized that children’s digital exclusion became even more evident with remote learning during the Covid-19 pandemic. With the situation still affecting many children in Poland, JLL and Tetris design x build worked together to arrange a donation program. They donated 77 Dell Latitude laptops retired from the working environment to Funfacja To sie uda. Sims Lifecycle Services repaired, cleaned and refurbished the equipment to give it a new lease of life and the Foundation arranged for them to be donated to children in need in Poland.
The first laptops have been donated to a school, making it easier for children affected by digital exclusion and enabling remote learning for students with refugee experiences. More will be donated to, among others, community and socio-therapeutic data centers and centers supporting children with refugee experiences.
Circular economy initiatives at SLS help clients keep resources in use for as long as possible – through redeployment, resale or donation. We’re delighted to be able to support our clients’ donation programs and contribute to these worthy causes.
SLS is a Gold Microsoft Authorized Refurbisher (MAR), allowing us to re-image laptops and add operating systems to support donation programs by providing ready-to-use devices. Our capabilities in enhanced refurbishment mean that we can also carry out functional and cosmetic repairs to bring assets up to A-grade standard should a client want to explore these enhanced options to upgrade assets prior to donation.
Donated assets also contribute positively to organizational sustainability goals. SLS offers industry-leading sustainability reporting which records the carbon avoided through reusing assets. This added benefit means that charitable donation programs will contribute positively to both the social and environmental pillars of a sustainability strategy.