SocialBox.Biz computer access case studies resulting from corporate computer reuse and donations before corporate computer recycling campaign, and incorporates insights from recent activities and partnerships.

SocialBox.Biz, a UK-based Community Interest Company, computer access case studies resulting from corporate computer reuse and donations before corporate computer recycling campaign, and incorporates insights from recent activities and partnerships.

 July 25, 2025 Update. Original post written on 30 Nov 2020

Key Points
  • Research suggests that reusing corporate computers before recycling can lower carbon emissions, benefiting the environment.
  • Donating old computers to SocialBox.Biz can help bridge the digital divide, supporting disadvantaged groups such as the homeless and elderly.
  • Companies gaining from enhanced corporate social responsibility (CSR) and environmental, social, and governance (ESG) goals by prioritising reuse.
Why Reuse Matters
 
 
 
When corporations upgrade their technology, they often face the decision of what to do with old computers. While recycling is a common choice, reusing these devices first offers significant environmental and social benefits. It extends the life of functional computers, reducing waste and supporting communities in need. Companies also benefit by aligning with sustainability goals, enhancing their CSR and ESG profiles.  For over a decade, they’ve collected old but functional laptops from corporations and donated them to homeless individuals, refugees, and older people. Businesses are encouraged to contact SocialBox.Biz before business computer recycling to check what can be reused, reducing scope 3 emissions while increasing social impact through local reuse.
Sociaboxbiz laptop at a homeless charity

Sociaboxbiz laptop at a homeless charity

According to the team at SocialBox.Biz, “The pandemic and lockdowns have underlined how important technology is to stay connected. We must ensure that vulnerable groups such as the elderly, homeless, and refugees are able to steadily access technology to speak to loved ones, order food and medication online, and continue their education.”

https://twitter.com/SocialBoxBiz/status/1334448259549552640

Laszlo Balla at C4WS homeless project, a SocialBox.Biz partner, said, “COVID-19 has made it very difficult for many charities to maintain the provision of their services, which at times are essential for their users. Without IT devices provided by SocialBox.Biz, people couldn’t take part in crucial services. Lockdown also impacts people with mental health issues.”

These goals are part of SocialBox.Biz’s digital inclusion manifesto, which outlines a series of steps needed to make their mission a reality. The company is working to bring new partners on board to help connect those in need with laptops and make digital inclusion a reality.

https://twitter.com/SocialBoxBiz/status/1262065153933180928

Helping organisations meet sustainability goals, SocialBox.Biz is calling for reduction in old but still usable technology going for scrap that adds to our carbon footprint. “The vast majority of old technology can be sustainably reused and placed in the hands of those in need, which in turn will help the UK meet its sustainability goals,” said the team at SocialBox.Biz.

SocialBox.Biz has been providing a solution for many years and has produce a number of awareness guides and videos emphasizing their secure data removal and open source innovation, that means even older hardware can still be useful to those those in need:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kjaTxzXvquE
https://twitter.com/SocialBoxBiz/status/1290925548101926913

The team at Age UK Wandsworth, a SocialBox.Biz partner, said, “We are so grateful to SocialBox.Biz for the devices that we have received. Digital exclusion is a known issue in the older generation, but this has been exacerbated by COVID-19 when access to public computers has been limited and when so many services and activities have moved online. We have been able to deploy these devices in areas of the borough where older people may not have the means to buy their own equipment and have offered support from our team of ‘Digipals’.”

A number of charities and other stakeholders have joined this campaign.

SocialBox.Biz continues to forge ahead in breaking down barriers between those in need and digital means. 

About SocialBox.Biz

SocialBox.Biz is a community interest company (CIC) improving the local community by providing innovative tech solutions.

###

SocialBox.Biz – 2025 update 

Companies can now solve their impact problems and reduce scope 3 emissions from old tech by sponsoring additional students, basic computer classes and tech labs for older people living on small pensions and refugees integrating into British society, please contact us to discuss further: https://www.socialbox.biz/corporate-impact/

 
SocialBox. Biz has launched two campaigns, “Reuse Before Recycling” and “Call Before You Scrap It,” to encourage the donation of used IT equipment, like laptops. This helps lower carbon emissions and supports social responsibility goals. The initiative provides equipment with open-source software to help disadvantaged individuals, including visually impaired elderly people. Reusing corporate IT equipment is shown to greatly cut carbon emissions compared to recycling. The ongoing participation of companies is crucial to prioritize reuse and meet corporate responsibility goals over the coming years.
 
 
###

One response to “SocialBox.Biz computer access case studies resulting from corporate computer reuse and donations before corporate computer recycling campaign, and incorporates insights from recent activities and partnerships.”

  1. SocialBox.biz looking for the Next Great Business Hero as Part of 2024/2025/2026/2027/2028/2029/2030 and beyond Tech Reuse Campaign says:
    February 24, 2024 at 8:17 pm

    /// Happy New Year /// In 2024 and beyond when you have old tech – call us first before you call the scrap recycling companies to check what can be reused and donated. Reduce pollution and scope 3 emissions whilst increasing social impact today due to local reuse. ///

    There are no smelters in the U.K. where old computers are accepted for recycling, which means that companies, universities, and councils must send computers abroad for recycling. Our initiative helps these organisations reduce Scope 3 emissions with a concept that sees more older tech loaded with free open source software and reused or donated locally in the UK.

    https://www.socialbox.biz/socialbox-biz-celebrates-ten-years-of-making-an-impact/

Leave a Reply