Your IT refresh cycle is likely to have a higher environmental cost than you realise — and it’s not simply the expense.
In the U.K., approximately 1.6 million tons of electronic waste (e-waste) are produced annually; however, only around 500,000 tons of that e-waste are captured through recycling [1]. This leaves a significant amount of e-waste unaccounted for — stored in warehouses, disposed of in landfills, or exported to developing countries.
Manufacturing Creates The Largest Part Of The Carbon Footprint.
Many companies believe that implementing environmentally friendly technologies and establishing recycling programs is the best method to achieve sustainable corporate IT practices. However, the numbers tell a different story: Circular Computing (2025) indicates that between 75 percent and 85 percent of a computer's overall carbon footprint can be attributed to the manufacturing process itself.
Therefore, the amount of energy your laptop will use over four years is only 15 to 25 percent of the environmental cost of the device; a new laptop that is advertised as "eco-friendly" still produces 331 kilograms of CO2 before arrival. Recycling the device at the end of life reduces the overall carbon footprint by less than 1 kilogram [2].
A computer does not become sustainable simply because it is new. A computer becomes sustainable when it is used again after manufacture.
The Numbers Do Not Lie
Each time a new laptop is manufactured, it results in the following:
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kilograms of CO2 emissions (which is equivalent to 1300 miles driven),
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190,000 liters of water (or enough to fill 760 bathtubs),
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1,200 kilograms of earth mined for raw materials such as rare earth metals, mercury, lead, chromium, and many other heavy metals that are hazardous to both humans and the environment [3].
When this number is multiplied by the 260 million new laptops manufactured globally per year [4], the technology industry is producing more greenhouse gas pollution than the airline industry.
Currently, the ICT sector is accountable for 1.8 to 2.8 percent of all worldwide greenhouse gas emissions, but if this trend continues, it will result in 830 million tons of CO2 emissions by 2030 [5].
Where Do Your Old Laptops Go?
According to DEFRA (2023), only 57 percent of electrical waste is recycled properly [6]. While industry reports indicate that this number is significantly lower: only 40-45 percent of e-waste is formally recycled through certified recycling facilities [7], the remaining percentage goes to either landfills, is exported illicitly, or remains stored for extended periods of time. In 2024, only 496,000 tons of e-waste were collected, whereas 1.6 million tons of e-waste were produced [8].
The Storage Problem
Visit virtually any office building in the U.K. and you will see them: overflowing storage closets filled with old laptops, monitors, and IT equipment. Businesses retain their old computers for several reasons: data security concerns related to improper disposal, uncertainty regarding how to dispose of these items in accordance with the Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE) Regulations and General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), procrastination, and uncertainty about how to properly dispose of these items.
These products take up valuable space in offices and are essentially sunk costs while they remain unused and continue to collect dust. They also make no positive contribution towards a company's sustainability objectives.
The Landfill Problem
Old computers that are disposed of typically end up in landfills, where:
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toxic chemicals leak into soil and water (mercury, lead, cadmium, chromium),
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valuable materials are discarded and lost forever (copper, gold, silver, rare earth metals),
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methane gases create climate change as plastic degrades, and
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local communities bear the negative environmental health consequences.
The Business Case For Laptop Donation
Net-Zero Commitments
If your organisation is committed to achieving net-zero carbon emissions, then your IT procurement strategy is a key mechanism to meet those targets:
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scope 3 emissions (from supply chains) account for between 70 percent and 90 percent of a company's total carbon footprint [9],
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extending the lifespan of devices by three years reduces the emissions associated with manufacturing by 85 percent,
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donating old laptops instead of purchasing new ones directly reduces your scope 3 emissions,
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your organisation may receive measurable and reportable impacts that can be applied toward ESG reporting and sustainability disclosures.
Data Security Best Practices
The #1 reason why corporations are hesitant to donate their laptops is due to data security concerns. Professional laptop repair and recycling organisations like Getech can mitigate these concerns:
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certified data destruction methods that comply with GDPR and data protection standards,
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certificate of assurance for audit and compliance purposes,
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chain of custody for secure transfer of donated devices,
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full device wipe using industry standard protocols,
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physical destruction options for highly sensitive devices.
Getech offers ADISA certification, providing your IT and compliance departments with a high level of confidence.
Cost Savings and Tax Benefits
Donating corporate IT equipment offers tangible financial benefits:
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Free collection and processing (no disposal fees)
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Potential tax relief on charitable donations
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Reduced storage costs by clearing out accumulated devices
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Lower insurance premiums by reducing stored asset value
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Avoided disposal costs for WEEE-compliant recycling
ESG and Corporate Social Responsibility
Today's stakeholders—investors, employees, customers, and regulators—expect genuine social and environmental impact:
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Measurable social impact supporting education and digital inclusion
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Alignment with UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDG 4: Quality Education, SDG 12: Responsible Consumption)
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Employee engagement opportunities through fundraising and impact stories
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Positive brand reputation demonstrating values beyond profit
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Competitive advantage in tenders requiring strong ESG credentials
Where Donated Laptops Go: Real Impact
When you donate corporate laptops to organisations like Rebooted, here's what happens:
The Process
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Certified data wiping with full documentation
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Device refurbishment, including hardware testing and ChromeOS installation
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Distribution to verified recipients, including:
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Children with a parent in prison (190,000 affected annually in the UK)
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Prison leavers rebuilding their lives
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Families facing digital exclusion
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Schools and community organisations
The Impact
Every donated laptop provides:
For recipients:
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Access to education, including Open University courses
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Job application tools and CV builders
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Digital skills training for employment
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Connection with family and support networks
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A pathway out of poverty and disadvantage
For your business:
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331kg of CO2 emissions avoided
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190,000 litres of water saved
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Measurable social impact for ESG reporting
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Contribution to UK digital inclusion goals
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Support for reducing reoffending rates (saving taxpayers £18 billion annually)[10]
For the planet:
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Reduced demand for new device manufacturing
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Less mining of rare earth materials
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Reduced e-waste in landfills
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Lower carbon emissions across the supply chain
What Devices Can Be Donated?
Most corporate laptops from recent years are eligible for donation and refurbishment:
✅ Windows 10 laptops from major manufacturers (HP, Dell, Lenovo, etc.)
✅ Devices 3-7 years old with functional hardware
✅ Laptops with minor cosmetic wear (screens, keyboards, batteries can be replaced)
✅ Devices from office closures or IT refreshes
Rebooted work with approved device lists (such as ChromeOS Flex compatibility) to ensure donated devices can be effectively refurbished and deployed.
Common Objections (And Why They Don't Hold Up)
"We're concerned about data security."
Solution: Professional donation partners provide certified data wiping meeting GDPR standards, with full documentation for audit purposes. This is often more secure than informal disposal methods.
"It's easier to just recycle them."
Reality: "Recycling" often means shipping e-waste overseas. Donation extends device life (the most sustainable option) while creating measurable social impact.
"Our devices are too old."
Truth: Devices 3-7 years old are ideal for refurbishment. What's outdated for corporate use is perfectly adequate for education and job searching.
"We don't have time to organise this."
Fact: Professional partners handle collection, logistics, and certification. Your time investment is minimal compared to managing storage or disposal.
The Bottom Line
Your next IT refresh is an opportunity—not just to upgrade technology, but to demonstrate genuine environmental and social leadership.
We don't need to manufacture more laptops. We need to redistribute the ones we already have.
Take Action Today
Does your organisation have an IT refresh planned?
Turn your surplus equipment into social and environmental impact.
Contact Rebooted:
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Email: hello@rebooted.me
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Website: www.rebooted.me
Let's discuss how your old devices can become someone's fresh start—while helping you meet sustainability goals and create genuine social impact.
Because the most sustainable technology is the technology we already have.
Sources & References
[1],[8] Material Focus (2024). UK e-waste data trends 2018-2024
[2],[3] Circular Computing (2025). Carbon footprint of laptop manufacturing research (230 laptop analysis)
[4] Worldometer/Gartner Dataquest. Global laptop manufacturing data
[5] Allianz. Decarbonizing ICT: balancing growth with green solutions and blockchain innovation, Jul 04, 2023
[6] UK Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs (DEFRA, 2023). Electrical waste recycling statistics
[7] Waste Direct UK (2025). UK e-waste recycling rates and disposal data
[9] The Global Compact Network UK (GCN UK)
[10] https://www.gov.uk/government/news/basic-housing-to-keep-offenders-off-streets-and-cut-crime