When university devices reach the end of their first life, they can still have plenty to offer. Working with DTP Group, UWE Bristol developed an IT Equipment Reuse Scheme that puts refurbished technology into the hands of students, staff and community organisations. Since launching in April 2026, the scheme has redistributed 118 laptops and desktops, delivered more than £30,700 in social and financial value and avoided an estimated 21.9 tonnes of CO₂e.
VERTICAL: Higher Education
OBJECTIVE: Extend the useful life of university IT equipment, improve access to technology and support UWE Bristol’s circular economy and net-zero ambitions.
APPROACH: Securely wipe and refurbish retired devices, then redistribute them through UWE Cares, discounted student and staff sales, and donations to eligible community organisations.
IT MATTERS: Working laptops and desktops remain in use beyond their first life at the University. Secure data wiping and refurbishment enable equipment to be reused safely.
BUSINESS MATTERS: Students receive technology to support their studies, staff and students save on device purchases, and community organisations gain equipment at no cost. Measured financial, social and environmental outcomes help the University track the value of its circular approach.
Building reuse into the IT lifecycle
UWE Bristol wanted to make better use of working equipment after it was retired from the University. Developed with DTP, the scheme embeds reuse into the IT supply contract and forms part of UWE Bristol’s Responsible Procurement Policy and Circular Economy Plan 2024–2026.
Devices are securely data-wiped and refurbished before being allocated to one of three routes: free laptops for students experiencing financial hardship or who are care experienced, discounted sales to the wider university community, or donations to charities, schools and other non-profit organisations.
“The IT Reuse Scheme has been embedded in the IT supply contract for UWE; ensuring quality working devices at the end of their first life with UWE are wiped and reused rather than being recycled or disposed of. We’re proud to support our care experienced students as well as making reused devices available for the wider UWE community”
Jo Dainton, Head of Circular Economy, UWE Bristol
Helping students access the technology they need
Each academic year, up to 75 refurbished laptops are donated to UWE Cares. For the 2025/26 cohort, 75 HP EliteBooks were distributed, providing up to £22,500 in equivalent device value at no cost and avoiding an estimated 12.75 tonnes of CO₂e.
Recipients reported improvements in notetaking, time available to study, ease of studying, home research and motivation. Among respondents, collection scored 5.0 out of 5 and suitability for study scored 4.67 out of 5. All respondents wanted the scheme to continue.
“This has been incredibly helpful for me. I can now access anything I need to study.”
UWE Bristol student
Making refurbished technology more affordable
Since sales began on 11 April 2026, students and staff have purchased 29 devices at prices typically 45–60% below equivalent new equipment, saving buyers an estimated £4,080. Students can purchase one device and staff up to two, with an additional 10% discount for staff on pay grade E or below.
Supporting communities beyond the campus
The scheme has also donated 12 laptops and two desktop workstations to external organisations, providing an estimated £4,138 worth of equipment at no cost. Recipients include local community organisations and schools in Ghana and Gambia with direct links to UWE Bristol staff.
Donations prioritise eligible organisations within 50 miles of UWE Bristol, while projects further afield can benefit where there is a demonstrable connection with the University.
“Technology still has value long after its first life within an organisation has ended and UWE Bristol’s scheme is a great example of what can happen when that value is approached differently. What makes this initiative particularly powerful is that the impact goes beyond keeping devices in use for longer.”
Stuart Broadbent, Client Devices Director, DTP Group
Measuring the impact and planning ahead
Across the 118 redistributed devices, the scheme has avoided an estimated 21.9 tonnes of CO₂e. UWE Bristol tracks digital inclusion, cost savings to voluntary organisations, tonnes of CO₂e saved and innovative social value delivery against measures aligned with national frameworks.
Based on its first five weeks of operation, the University projects annual sales of approximately 320 devices and donations of around 155 devices to external organisations, alongside the annual allocation of 75 laptops to UWE Cares. At that rate, the scheme could avoid more than 80 tonnes of CO₂e and deliver over £100,000 in combined social and financial value each year.
As UWE Bristol expands its network of community partners, more retired equipment can stay in use and support people who need it.