Sustainability

The Company Turning E-Waste Into Essential Resources

Donate e-waste to Human-I-T and they’ll refurbish your technology for those in need. We hosted a tech drive to help make an impact.

In today’s digital world, access to computers, the internet, and digital skills are critical for creating opportunities for people to thrive. But only 66 percent of households that earn less than $50,000 a year have a computer at home. Meanwhile, 70 percent of waste in our landfills is e-waste. That’s where human-I-T found an opportunity: donate e-waste and they’ll turn it into an essential resource for those in need.

human-I-T is a Long Beach, California-based nonprofit committed to a future in which everyone has access to technology. They support programs that provide digital tools and skills to low-income communities, schools, veterans, seniors, and others in need, all while diverting technology away from landfills and giving computers a second life.

Read more: What Does Leave No Trace Mean?

Avocado And human I-T Teams Tech Drive

“The fact that human-I-T is restoring electronic devices and donating them to people in need takes this initiative even further.”

Todd Johnson, Director of Information Technology at Avocado
 

human-I-T and Avocado became natural partners. Avocado began donating its used technology to the nonprofit in December. That month, Avocado coordinated a tech-drive, offering employees the chance to drop off any unused technology they had, while our own I-T team collected our unused business equipment. 

“As an I-T professional, I’m always looking for ways to upcycle tech items,” says Avocado’s Director of Information Technology Todd Johnson. “The fact that human-I-T is restoring electronic devices and donating them to people in need takes this initiative even further.”

Read more: Our 6 Favorite Podcasts Inspiring Climate Activism

Johnson and the Avocado team collected 12 full pallets — more than 3,400 pounds — worth of unused technology resources. Human-I-T picked up the laptops, towers, printers, keyboards, and monitors, which they’ll refurbish and donate to low-income families in need of the tools. 

“We’re proud to partner with a brand that is ahead of the pack in providing value to its customers, while serving our underserved communities.” 

Brandon Smith, VP of Business Development at human I-T
 

“Avocado Brands represents the forward-thinking company of the future, where being socially and environmentally-conscious is not just nice to do, but expected by your customers, shareholders, and the general public,” says Brandon Smith, human-I-T’s VP of Business Development. “We’re proud to partner with a brand that is ahead of the pack in providing value to its customers, while serving our underserved communities.” 

human I-T Team Loading Truck Tech Drive

Human-I-T’s solution is a win-win-win, giving individuals and businesses an easy way to harness their used e-waste, while promoting digital inclusion and shrinking the digital divide, and our mountains of e-waste, nationwide.

If you are interested in donating your unused technology to human-I-T, please visit https://www.human-i-t.org/donate-technology to learn more.

 
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