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Most of us have a drawer of shame Somewhere at home, a dusty cavern filled with outdated mobile phones, tablets, gadgets and accessories that were once our pride and joy. Throwing them away seems wasteful, but realistically, we know they will never “come in handy someday.”
If we got rid of them, our old devices that may have the latest iOS update could have a shiny new life, really making a difference in the hands of someone who needs them.
With the help of Vodafone Great British technological appealwhich donates used phones, tablets and laptops, we look at the behind-the-scenes story of the donated devices and how they can help bridge the digital divide.
Reduce, reuse… rethink?
It’s hard to fathom the amount of trash that the never-ending cycle of mobile technology generates, even on this tiny island. In fact, the tiny island is one of the worst offenders, according to figures released by the United Nations Global E-waste Monitor (pdf) this year.
“Around 1.5 million people in the UK do not have a smartphone, tablet or laptop,” says Helen Milner, chief executive of the group Good Things Foundationpartner of the Great British Tech Appeal. “Yet the UK is the second largest producer of e-waste per capita in the world.”
In other words, while the UK is awash in expensive gadgets, we are not delivering them to the millions of people – yes, even here, even now – who have been left out of the digital revolution. When we are not stockpiling them, we are simply… throwing them away.
Milner says: “Donating is a great way to extend the use of devices while helping those who need it most. Every device donation will make a huge difference to those on the wrong side of the digital divide.”
Left behind
According to Ofcom, 28% of households They struggle to afford communications services. And while some have probably chosen not to, many more are just as interested in getting online as the rest of us, but don’t have the opportunity.
It’s not just about older people: Ofcom’s report from last year Children and parents: media use and attitudes (pdf) found that 3% of households with children up to 18 had no internet access at home. Children’s charity Barnardo’s adds that this problem prevents a large number of the young people it supports from communicating with their key workers.
Moving forward at full speed
Barnardo’s is one of the beneficiaries of the Great British Tech Appeal, a national campaign that aims to get us all dusting off our old, unused gadgets and doing something good.
The campaign, which was launched in 2020, received over 1,000 unwanted devices in its first year and has already donated over 13,000 to good causes. Any smartphone or tablet can be donated, as long as it is working and usable.
While the numbers are impressive, there is still an incredibly long way to go. According to a report Last December, UK households were holding on to around 21 million discarded mobile phones – the most common item hoarded. What makes us so reluctant to hand them over?
Cleaning our slates
One of the main reasons we don’t recycle our gadgets is how complicated the whole process can seem. Different parts of the UK have different rules – some collection points and retailers accept old gadgets for reuse, while others don’t, and some types of electronics seem difficult to give away.
However, growing awareness and the availability of plans such as Vodafone’s are beginning to address the complexities, provided people can overcome one final hurdle.
As with most recycling initiatives, the Great British Tech Appeal recommends resetting your phone to factory settings, removing the SIM and memory card, and turning off any “Find My Phone” services you’ve set up. All devices received in the campaign are wiped of data, just in case. They are then packaged up with a cable, charger, and six months of connectivity, and put into the hands of someone who really needs them.
Old phone, new beginning
As part of its wider campaign to bridge the digital divide, Vodafone has so far provided free connectivity, devices and digital training to 2.6 million people and businesses. Beneficiaries of the phones and laptops donated through the Great British Tech Appeal include refugees, people at risk of abuse and children in care.
During the COVID pandemic, these devices became a lifeline. “At the beginning of the pandemic, some children in care were unable to see their birth families,” says Tony Sleight, development services manager at Barnardo’s. “We wanted to find a way to enable young people to maintain contact with their parents and siblings without being able to meet in person.
“Vodafone donated mobile phones, tablets and, most importantly, SIM cards with data services. These donations were a real lifeline for families at this critical time. Vodafone’s donations, particularly SIM cards with pre-loaded data, made the difference between young people not being able to see their families and being able to have safe, quality time to share their updates and news at an extremely difficult time.”
Answering the call
Cleaning up is a satisfying way to spend a rainy weekend, and knowing that your old iPhone can help some of the country’s most disadvantaged people get back in touch with loved ones is as strong an incentive as any.
The process of donating to the Great British Tech Appeal is designed to be as simple as possible: Complete a short online form and you will then receive donation instructions by email. You will then pack your device in your own packaging and send it back for free.
Where possible, devices will be relocated, but those that cannot be reused will be dismantled for parts or recycling. There is no maximum number of devices that can be disposed of. You can even request a bulk collection for your workplace if you have upgraded your company’s devices and have the benefit of added security with certified corporate device erasure.
Nicki Lyons, corporate affairs and sustainability director at Vodafone UK, said: “At Vodafone, we are committed to ensuring that no one is left behind. To date, we have provided free connectivity, devices, access to social tariffs and digital training to 2.6 million people and businesses and we are committed to reaching 4 million by the end of 2025.”
Know more on Vodafone’s commitment to help 4 million people and businesses overcome the digital divide
