When it was time to replace some of our older laptops, monitors, phones and iPads, we discovered they still had value.
Working with Electronic Waste Victoria, who securely decommissioned and recycled the devices, we gave old technology a new purpose. We donated the value recovered from the devices to SecondBite, helping provide the equivalent of 12,000 meals for people experiencing food insecurity.
It's a simple but powerful reminder that something which has finished serving one purpose can still create value for others.
Where the impact goes
SecondBite works across Australia to help people experiencing food insecurity. They rescue surplus food from going to waste and, together with financial donations, turn it into meals for communities that need them most.
With warehouses in every state, the organisation supports around 700,000 people each week and provides the equivalent of 50.4 million meals each year, making every contribution count.
For Jackie Maxwell, Head of Corporate Partnerships at SecondBite, every donation helps. "One in three to one in four families in Australia has somebody going without food every day," Jackie says.
It's a sobering reminder that many Australians continue to face difficult choices as the cost of living continues to rise. While no single donation can solve food insecurity, every contribution helps.
As Jackie simply puts it: "It's a lovely story that your e-waste has been turned into food. It is both great for the environment and helps our communities."
And that's exactly what this partnership is about: finding new ways for old technology to keep making a difference.
More than a routine technology replacement
This isn't the first time we've worked with Electronic Waste Victoria, an organisation that helps to securely recycle electronic devices and recover value from technology. This time, however, many of our used devices still held value and because of that could continue to make a difference.
What started as a routine technology replacement became an opportunity for us to support people, communities and the environment at the same time.
And this won't be the last opportunity to create something positive from our old technology.
As Bryce Duggan, our IT Support and Operations Lead, states: "As more of our devices across ECMS need to be replaced this year, we'll continue working with Electronic Waste Victoria to securely recycle them. Where this old technology still has value, we look forward to donating it so it can support the community."