Computer Aid Offers Free PC Collection Service

The charity group Computer Aid International has launched a free collection service in South East England, which takes old IT equipment to be refurbished for use in the developing world.

Computer Aid will pick up kit including PCs and monitors, from companies located within 25 miles of the M25 motorway, while those outside the free collection zone, can deliver their old IT equipment to the charity’s London headquarters, to qualify for the free decommissioning service.

The old equipment will be professionally refurbished and have its data wiped free of charge, before being sent for reuse in schools and healthcare organisations in the developing world. Computer Aid guarantees compliance with all UK legislation, including the Data Protection Act, WEEE directive, and the Environment Act.

Data Concerns

To reassure businesses that sensitive corporate data is not inadvertently left on the old machines, Computer Aid uses Kroll Ontrack data wiping software to guarantee complete data destruction.

The free collection last for the rest of the month of June, and businesses must dispose of a minimum of 20 reusable computers or 20 monitors. The charity has provided a specification of the equipment it can reuse, located here.

“Our free PC decommissioning makes it even easier for companies to dispose of their end-of-life monitors, laptops, and PCs in a cost effective and environmentally friendly way,” said Anja ffrench, Director of Communications at Computer Aid. “By offering a free collection service we are making the donation process all the more straight forward, enabling us to better facilitate access to ICT infrastructure in developing nations.”

Green Option

“Every single reusable PC or laptop that is donated to Computer Aid will make a dramatic difference to our beneficiary projects overseas,” she said. “One refurbished computer has the potential to provide a further 6,000 hours of ICT enriched education in a school in Africa, which is enough time to train 60 children to a vocational level of IT literacy.”

Earlier this month as the football World Cup kicked off in South Africa, Computer Aid urged UK companies to donate old PCs so it could help bridge South Africa’s digital divide.

The reuse of old IT equipment is a green option but it also solves an organisation’s problem of how to dispose of old IT equipment. With many companies now gearing up for a technology refresh of their PC fleet in light of the growing acceptance of Windows 7, the importance of safely disposing of old equipment is a growing concern.

Earlier this year, Computer Aid started shipping portable, solar-powered cyber cafés to rural communities in Africa, giving people in remote areas the chance to get online. The cyber cafés are housed inside standard 20 foot shipping containers, with built-in solar panels on the roof. The first cyber café was sent to Macha in Zambia on 30 March.