Born out of DSIT’s Digital Inclusion Action Plan, the voluntary charter establishes a common set of principles for businesses and organisations to commit to when it comes to device donation.
In doing so, it encourages public and private sector organisations alike to: take a reuse-first approach to IT asset management; commit to high quality donations and data reporting; and align with ESG and net zero goals.
As well helping to reduce electronic waste and promote circularity, the charter also aims to increase the number of devices donated to digitally excluded people.
The strength of the Charter lies in the broad coalition of partners working together to create it, only by combining our expertise and resources can we tackle the twin issues of digital exclusion and e-waste effectively.
Helen Milner, CEO, Good Things Foundation
Ofcom’s latest findings suggest that 5% of the UK population does not have access to the internet at all, while 8% of internet users admit to lacking confidence online.
Research by Vodafone has found that the lack of a device was one of the major contributing factors to digital exclusion, with 35% of individuals citing this as directly impacting their ability to get online.
By signing up, businesses will receive a playbook containing practical guidance to start or improve their device donation processes, as well as case studies and minimum specification guidance.
The charter will be hosted on the gov.uk website, after being officially launched by the Telecoms Minister, Chris Bryant.
We are delighted to have partnered DSIT, Good Things Foundation and Deloitte to create the IT Reuse for Good Charter, encouraging businesses and organisation to implement responsible device donation schemes to support the digitally excluded and promote a circular economy.
Catherine Russell, Head of Sustainable Business, VodafoneThree.
VodafoneThree, Good Things Foundation and Deloitte will be some of the first signatories, with others including Curry’s, Reconome and Liverpool City Region Combined Authority.
Through this advice, the charter will build on work already started by Vodafone’s Great British Tech Appeal, which helps businesses to donate old tech while helping people in need to cross the digital divide.
For more information on the charter, visit the gov.uk website
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