A London-based digital inclusion programme, which offers free refurbished devices to digitally excluded people, has led to the prevention of more than 2.5 million kg of CO2 emissions.

With the world generating over 60 million tonnes of e-waste every year and approximately 350,000 mobile phones being thrown away each day, the London Device Bank says more needs to be done to reuse IT equipment.

The amount of emissions avoided is comparable to the annual energy-related emissions from 968 UK households and donations have prevented 24,103.9 kg of electronic waste – equivalent to the weight of 16 cars – from being inappropriately discarded, keeping previous materials, water and fossil fuels in the ground, safe for future generations.

Between September 2022 and June 2023, Get Online London has also distributed more than 44,000 free data SIMs to people in need through 678 community organisations in London delivering data, devices and digital skill support to people in need across the city.

Get Online London is London’s first ever digital inclusion service, a joined-up partnership between Good Things Foundation, LOTI, Greater London Authority, boroughs, businesses, public bodies and communities.
Private and public sector organisations donate their retired devices to be processed and refurbished, which are then added to the London Device Bank before being distributed through London’s Digital Inclusion Network of community organisations.

In London alone, there are 270,000 digitally excluded people, who are cut off from the benefits of the online world and unable to access everyday essentials.

Since its launch in June 2022, the London Device Bank has collected over 26,000 devices, helping prevent more than 24,000 kg of waste from ending up in landfill. There are currently 149 active device bank hubs within 31 boroughs in London.

Helen Milner OBE, Group CEO, Good Things Foundation, said: “We’re so proud to celebrate the London Device Bank’s remarkable achievement of avoiding 2.5 million kg of CO2 Emissions by redistributing used technology. This is a testament to the success of Get Online London and the dedication of the London Digital Inclusion Network who are working in communities to get devices into the hands of people in need. Beyond the social impact, it is brilliant to also see a significant impact on reducing e-waste. Together with the London Office of Technology and Innovation and Mayor of London we’re empowering digitally excluded people to access the online world while contributing to a greener, more sustainable future. I urge businesses to join us in helping people and the planet by donating to the London Device Bank.”

Eddie Copeland, Director, LOTI, said: “We’re delighted to see these remarkable achievements by Get Online London in its first year of service, further cementing its place as London’s sustainable solution to digital exclusion. Tackling London’s digital divide is a key element in building a fairer and more prosperous city. Current rates of digital exclusion are unsustainable and make other forms of inequality worse. This collaboration with Good Things Foundation and the Mayor of London has allowed us to be in a stronger position to work with local authorities and the voluntary sector as they seek to ensure no Londoner is excluded from the opportunities and benefits of being online. We’re hugely excited to see what Get Online London can achieve in the future to help tackle digital exclusion in our communities.”

Theo Blackwell MBE, Chief Digital Officer for London, said: “The Mayor wants every Londoner to be able to get online easily, and the Get Online London service provides vital access to free mobile data, devices and digital skills support in neighbourhoods across the capital through participating libraries and community centres. In addition, thousands of tonnes of electronic waste has been saved through refurbishing and reusing thousands of laptops and mobiles, passing them to Londoners who need them in a sustainable solution to tackling digital exclusion.”