Marlborough News Online readers are being urged to clear out their old tech junk as part of Big Co-op Clean, the focus of this year’s Co-operative Fortnight.
Old PCs, laptops, printers, scanners and cables that are cluttering desks and drawers can be put to good use in our Tech Amnesty.
Marlborough News Online – a co-operative owned by local members, rather than by a media conglomerate – has teamed up with Ramsbury-based Green Machine, an IT company that promotes social and environmentally friendly computing solutions and IT recycling.
Rather than clogging up precious space in your home, Green Machine can recycle your tech, giving you the piece of mind that your computer is not going to landfill, and that your private data is professionally erased – all free of charge.
Recycled computers and laptops are either sold to families, schools and charities as low-cost IT solutions, sent to communities in developing countries or, if they really are beyond repair, stripped for their reusable components.
Simon Crisp, the founder of Green Machine, said: “Anyone who brings their old computer to us can be guaranteed that the machine or its components will be put to the best use. Their data will be erased and, for a small fee, we can recover data – even from computers that won’t boot up any more.”
Peter Davison of Marlborough News Online said: “Many of us – and I’m as guilty of this as anyone – leave obsolete tech to gather dust on shelves or in cupboards.
“Helping readers to dispose of their old tech seemed an ideal way for an online newspaper to celebrate Co-operatives Fortnight, and in Green Machine we have found a company that shares our values of environmental awareness and social responsibility.”
Old items of tech – including computer screens and mice. printers and copiers, tablets and mobiles, modems and routers, video and audio equipment, and games consoles – can be taken to Burbage Summer Fair at Burbage School from 1.30pm until 4pm on Saturday, July 4. Burbage PTA will receive £5 for every computer or laptop handed in.
Donors can also take unwanted toner and ink cartridges, which will be passed to Prospect Hospice, which operates its own fundraising scheme using these items.
Local businesses that have large quantities of unwanted tech to dispose of can call 01672 520133 or email info@green-machine.org for free collection.
Co-operatives Fortnight, which aims to demonstrate how the UK’s 6,000 co-operative businesses are local, loved, and trusted – runs from June 20 to July 4.