Background information
A mobile's final journey (part 1): how reusable materials are rescued
by Martina Huber
New laptop thanks to Black Friday? Give your old one a second life!
20.11.2020
Translation: machine translated
If you've secured one of our laptop bargains around Black Friday, you'll be delighted with the performance and stylish design. But what happens to your old laptop? We have a good idea.
Old laptops don't have to go straight to the recycling centre. Even if professional disposal and recycling is ensured there, at least in Switzerland, as you can find out in our series on the topic
So, don't throw it away! Instead, your disused computer could be an important article for digitalisation for everyone in Switzerland. There is a kind of digital Robin Hood who has been on a mission for several months: Everyone in Switzerland should have access to a computer and the internet. What you take for granted - after all, you are reading this on a smartphone or laptop - is not the case for many thousands of people. For example, they don't have a computer in their household because they can't afford this investment.
This is where Tobias Schär comes in with his non-profit project "We keep learning". At the beginning of April, he started collecting old laptops, refurbishing them and distributing them to those who need them most: pupils who were suddenly supposed to do distance learning during the first wave of coronavirus but didn't have the hardware to do so.
The one-man initiative quickly became a team. Tobias found supporters to help him manage the many requests that suddenly arose. According to a press release, "Wir lernen weiter" has now collected over 1,000 laptops, refurbished them and distributed them again.
We have to make sure that we enable as many people as possible to take part in the digital transformation. We forget that many households lack the most basic devices.
The success story includes the fact that there are now partnerships between over 100 municipalities in German-speaking Switzerland and the "Wir lernen weiter" association. For example, the purely voluntary members no longer have to check every single enquiry and can reduce the work involved in distribution.
Although it is still a lot of work, Tobias' commitment is undiminished. He is convinced that it is worthwhile for our society if everyone has access to IT equipment. And even in business terms. For example, if jobseekers are unable to write job applications due to a lack of equipment and remain unemployed for longer, the costs will eventually hit the social sector. And what's more, Tobias writes in his press release, the continued use of laptops is also good for the environment. With 1000 laptops, he and his team have already avoided three tonnes of electronic waste.
Here you can help with your old laptop
If you now think that your old device is no longer any good, you should take a look at the modest minimum requirements that the organisation has listed on its website. With as little as 2 GB of RAM and an undamaged display, your old laptop can do some good in a second life. So, if you've already enjoyed your bargain, give yourself a jolt, report your old device for dispatch to Tobias and his team, and enjoy it a second time.
Header image: Photo: Dalia Bohn
Martin Jungfer
Head of Content
Martin.Jungfer@digitecgalaxus.chJournalist since 1997. Stopovers in Franconia (or the Franken region), Lake Constance, Obwalden, Nidwalden and Zurich. Father since 2014. Expert in editorial organisation and motivation. Focus on sustainability, home office tools, beautiful things for the home, creative toys and sports equipment.
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