Manchester Tech Festival has announced a partnership with Stockport-based Community Computers. The collaboration aims to combat digital exclusion across Greater Manchester and deliver a measurable environmental benefit through the re-use and refurbishment of redundant IT.

Part of registered UK charity Renewal North West, Community Computers offers secure IT recycling of unwanted tech. With 1 in 5 people in Greater Manchester having limited or no access to the internet, and 1 in 3 of those lacking access to digital equipment, the organisation exists to tackle this issue by providing fully refurbished and licensed devices into the community at low cost.

Using its extensive network of local tech businesses, and a series of events running throughout the year, Manchester Tech Festival will facilitate a hardware collection service for Community Computers, allowing its sponsors and network members to donate unwanted devices, and aid in the distribution of refurbished tech.

Amy Newton, festival director at Manchester Tech Festival, commented on the partnership: “Digital inclusion is one of the fundamental reasons Manchester Tech Festival exists. In a city that is one of the UK’s most dominant tech hubs, we firmly believe it is our collective responsibility to address the digital poverty that exists here. The mission of Community Computers aligns with our own ethos of reducing the digital divide in our local communities. We are excited to tackle this issue together. Additionally, attendees at our flagship event at the Victoria Baths at the end of October will be able to recycle their devices on site, complete with full data destruction.”

Adrian Nottingham, business development manager at Community Computers, added: “We are delighted to be partnering with Manchester Tech Festival. We hope this partnership will expand our reach within the Manchester tech community and enable businesses to safely recycle their unwanted tech – and most importantly provide access to digital products for those that need it.”

ENDS

About Manchester Tech Festival

Manchester Tech Festival (MTF) is an organisation created by Manchester’s tech community, for Manchester’s tech community. MTF’s mission is to create opportunities throughout the year for the tech community and the corporate world to connect with one another, in a way which is inclusive to all. The team facilitates conversations, inspires people to learn, narrows the gap in digital and social exclusion and ultimately facilitates growth in the local tech sector.

About Community Computers

Working out of the UK registered charity Renewal North West (1145056), Community Computers exists to tackle digital exclusion. A not-for-profit IT refurbisher, Community Computers uses industry-leading destruction equipment and a comprehensive audit, tracking and reporting process to repair, refurbish and recycle donated IT equipment back into the community at low cost. The team ensures that all IT equipment that cannot be reused is recycled using an approved authorised treatment facility (AATF), maximising the positive environmental impact of the processes and operations. In addition, Community Computers provides IT work skills to the long-term unemployed to support them back to work.