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Businesses are gaining a new, easier way to donate unused or outgoing devices to people in need, thanks to the new Tech Reuse for Good Charter, created as a partnership between the Australian Government, the Business Council of Australia, Good Things Australia, and WorkVentures.
“This collaboration reflects a shared commitment to inclusion and opportunity—values that underpin our goal of ensuring all Australians succeed in the digital age," said Assistant Minister for Science, Technology and the Digital Economy, Dr Andrew Charlton.
The move should also help reduce e-waste by redirecting electronic devices otherwise earmarked for landfill or recycling centres.
A large part of the initiative involves the National Device Bank, already established by Good Things Australia and WorkVentures, and which recently received a $2.9 million pledge of support from Telstra Foundation. The National Device Bank can act as a centralised hub for large donations of usable tech, then work with existing charities and community organisations, which in turn distribute them to people in need. One funnel in, multiple avenues out.
And there should be plenty to go around. Millions of devices are retired by businesses in Australia every year. Over the next five years, the Australian Government projects around 10 million computers and tablets, and 6.5 million mobile phones will be replaced across the corporate and public sectors. Rather than go to landfill or recycling centres, these products would ideally be given to people or groups who lack access to such necessities.
There are already countless smaller charities within Australia that take donations of functioning products, such as the Sydney-based Women's & Girls' Emergency Centre (WAGEC), Melbourne-based Glee Givers, and Queensland Country Bank, to name just three. But, while localised charity groups can be invaluable to their communities, smaller operations might not always have the capacity to receive and distribute a sudden, large influx of wide-ranging devices. The range of options can also make it difficult to decide where to direct donations.
By creating a centralised hub, charities and community groups can potentially rely less on direct donations, while still being able to distribute workable products. At the same time, businesses and organisations can sidestep the difficult task of finding a charity or group capable of receiving their outgoing gadgets.
As for who this will benefit, the Charter aims to assist a wide range of people, including those on low incomes, First Nations communities, students, older Australians, newly arrived migrants, job seekers, people experiencing housing insecurity, and students, among others.
“For people experiencing digital exclusion, access to a device can open doors to education, employment, essential services and connection,” said Good Things Australia CEO Jess Wilson.
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Alex Angove-Plumb
Digital Content Editor
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