Tech-Takeback recently visited Emmaus Brighton & Hove in Portslade to run an informative ’disassembly’ workshop for Companions. During the course of the afternoon, Companions were given an introduction to the world of recycling; learnt about the term ‘circular economy’ and later on were able to see first hand the processes involved in the disassembly of an ‘end-of-life’ laptop.

Most of the attendees had never seen a laptop opened up before and were amazed to discover the range of materials that are to be found on the inside of such a device. Discussions continued as the group considered which of the components might hold the most value, which parts were easiest to reuse and the difficulties involved with recycling other components such as mixed materials, screens and plastics. 

The award was presented at the BusinessGreen Leaders Awards last week to representatives from Tech-Takeback, a local not-for-profit organisation who run the scheme in partnership with The ZeroNet. The initiative is supported by Brighton & Hove City Council and the Recycle Your Electricals campaign.

The service - the first of its kind to launch in the UK - has been operational for just under one year and was commended by judges for its on-the-ground impact and as a fantastic example of how to engage the public and drive up electrical waste recycling rates.

Through the RevaluElectricals service, Tech-Takeback collect devices such as mobile phones, computers and small appliances from the doorstep with the aim of giving these items a second life. 

Donations are securely wiped clean of data before being refurbished and prepared for re-use. With the help of local charity partners, items are re-distributed locally to those in the community who are most at need. 

With a £1,500 donation to the Level Up Laptops appeal, training and career-focussed education provider Learning People have helped to fund the refurbishment of 15 windows laptops for Coombe Road Primary School.

The Brighton company, who have been providing career ready education for 11 years with over 25,000 students worldwide, are always keen to support the local community. Patrick Aylmer, founder of Learning People is thrilled to join initiatives such as Level Up Laptops to help make education more accessible to children and would love more local businesses to join in.

“The most rewarding aspect of having set up Learning People is seeing so many happy and engaged people working in the business and supporting our students to live more fulfilling lives through their careers. The tech industry is growing at an exponential rate with jobs outweighing skilled professionals. These children are the digital workforce of the future and it’s wonderful to support their education by donating these devices” added Patrick. 
Learning People offers career ready education in the tech and project management sectors, to those looking to change careers, start fresh or simply advance in their current role.

The money donated by Learning People will go towards the refurbishment of even more devices, which will be on the way to other schools in Brighton & Hove very soon.

Businesses can also join initiative Level Up Laptop by donating new or refurbished IT equipment and donations are appreciated. https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/leveluplaptops

In partnership with SoPro and Tarner Community Project, we are urging local businesses to support our campaign to ensure that school children across Brighton & Hove have access to a laptop at home.

Midnight Communications, a Brighton-based PR company, are the latest organisation to support to appeal by funding the refurbishment of 10 Windows laptops for the Bilingual Primary School in Hove. The devices, which have been collected from residents and businesses as part of the Level Up Laptops appeal and RevaluElectricals service, will be used to support increased digital learning.

Midnight Joint Managing Director, Alex Hankinson, said: “Schools may be going back on the 8th of March but the direction of travel for learning is clearly digital and it’s vital that children have access to laptops of their own when they go home."

“Lots of schools ask children to use websites such as TTRockstars for their times tables and Purple Mash for reading and comprehension or for coding. It shows that children need digital devices now and in the future. Many of us take having that kind of equipment for granted but there’s a digital divide emerging for those who cannot access them, which has been exacerbated by the pandemic. We hope other businesses across Sussex will also support what is a fantastic initiative.”

Tech-Takeback has made a second delivery of refurbished laptops to local children without access to IT equipment for home education on behalf of Level Up Laptops. The appeal, launched by Brighton-based business SoPro in partnership with the Tarner Community Project and Tech-Takeback, delivered the 23 devices to Carlton Hill Primary School earlier today. This follows 20 laptops delivered to St Luke’s Primary School on Monday.

Tech-Takeback aims to provide data-erased, refurbished devices to children and vulnerable members of the community through a network of charity partners. To support this effort, please consider donating your unwanted devices or supporting our crowdfunding campaign to raise funds for the refurbishment of devices. ​