Sustainable IT collaboration benefits North Wales residents

North Wales Police has reaffirmed its commitment to sustainable working through its partnership with a local social enterprise.

A collaboration with the Anglesey-based North Wales Recycle I.T. has ensured that used, force-owned computers have been repurposed for individuals living across North Wales.

Families and children are among those to have benefited from the not-for-profit social enterprise scheme, which is the only service of its kind in the region.

Computer donations from the force have also facilitated the development of PC-building courses for adults and disadvantaged children from local secondary schools.

North Wales Police’s Head of Technology Infrastructure, Gareth Roberts said: “With our old kit, once our data is removed, it would previously have been earmarked for disposal.

“The devices would then have been broken down into various parts and some would end up as scrap.

“With this collaboration, kit that is no longer suitable for our business requirements can still be useful to other organisations.

“For example, I know that some of our donated equipment was used at nursing homes during the COVID outbreak, which allowed residents to speak with their loved ones at a very difficult time.

“We feel this collaboration has been a huge positive for the wider community of North Wales who have benefited from this ongoing relationship.

“This was our aim when we started this process with North Wales Recycle I.T. and we’ll seek to continue to work together for many more years to come.”

North Wales Recycle I.T. Operating Director, Rebekah Lowther said: “I want to express our deepest gratitude for the continuous support we have received from the North Wales Police.

“With the force’s assistance, we have donated over £113,000 worth of computers to individuals, children, and families across North Wales since January 2021. Your dedication to this cause has made a tangible difference in the lives of so many.

“North Wales Recycle I.T. works with our communities for the benefit of all. From providing jobs for people often overlooked in the labour market to donating laptops to local community groups, we promote the reuse of IT equipment in a socially responsible way.

“Our company is built on the pledge that no redundant equipment passing through our hands will be disposed of unsustainably.

“Thus, local authorities, businesses large and small, other establishments and individuals can be confident that their data is destroyed with the utmost professionalism and security but that their IT 'waste' will be re-used by the people, families and communities they serve.”

North Wales Police and Crime Commissioner, Andy Dunbobbin said: “I am delighted to see IT equipment from across North Wales Police being recycled and put to good use for the benefit of local people across the region.

“Not only is this partnership between North Wales Recycle I.T. and North Wales Police better for the environment – a key concern for us all these days – but reusing this equipment helps to widen access to computers, promote inclusion and offers people the chance to increase their work and IT skills.

“As Police and Crime Commissioner, I understand that residents wish to see the Force deliver value for society as well as value for money, and I believe this partnership fulfils these aims.”