Response A1345147

Response to request for information

Reference

A1345147

Response date

18 May2021

Request

1. In particular, how many computer users there are at your organization in total, where the old computer and other technology and electronic items are going when they are replaced by newer items and what percentage is going to help those in the local UK community that can not afford computers?
2. Our previous FOI and researched showed that many public organisations sell their old tech to scrap companies and the markets for old tech scrap are generally abroad for scrap contractors used by council and other large organisations including schools with one scrap company alone stating that they export over 50,000 computer items per month. Therefore, may we please ask for the information/data on your plans to comply with the UK climate change act and deal with scope 3 emissions from transport during the export of containers overseas? May we also ask for any data held regarding emissions and particular scope 3 emissions relating to old technology from your organisation.
3. May we also please ask, what you currently have in terms of outdated, unplugged, or unused no longer needed laptops, computers, or other electronics in your storage that we can collect for our long-standing local-focused UK solution that helps homeless youth in need, care leavers, pensioners who can not afford a computer, refugees and others disadvantaged people and if not would it be possible to put a date in the diary for the next collection please?
4. If the council / organisation has recently changed its policy to allow local reuse and access to local organisations to its old still usable tech, may we please ask: how can we also be added to this list of organisations that the equipment to 'offered to before disposal' and receive equal treatment as those organizations?

Response

1. In particular, how many computer users there are at your organization in total, where the old computer and other technology and electronic items are going when they are replaced by newer items and what percentage is going to help those in the local UK community that can not afford computers?
   • Rushcliffe Borough Council have approximately 240 computer users and when their devices are replaced for new, the old devices are securely wiped and recycled using one of our chosen suppliers. All recycled devices do carry residual value, which is given back to the Council to help recoup public money towards future ICT equipment. Unfortunately, we are unable to provide old laptops and desktops to support our community due to the way we license are estate. All old devices would not come with an operating system installed and the hardware would be at risk of failure. Please be aware however, during the COVID19 pandemic we were able to donate approx. 20 old tablets to local schools, as these did have an operating system installed to allow us to do this.
2. Our previous FOI and researched showed that many public organisations sell their old tech to scrap companies and the markets for old tech scrap are generally abroad for scrap contractors used by council and other large organisations including schools with one scrap company alone stating that they export over 50,000 computer items per month. Therefore, may we please ask for the information/data on your plans to comply with the UK climate change act and deal with scope 3 emissions from transport during the export of containers overseas? May we also ask for any data held regarding emissions and particular scope 3 emissions relating to old technology from your organisation.
   • We don't currently hold any information on emissions relating to old technology and all old ICT equipment is either restored and sold on or scrapped by the supplier used to recycle old ICT Equipment.
3. May we also please ask, what you currently have in terms of outdated, unplugged, or unused no longer needed laptops, computers, or other electronics in your storage that we can collect for our long-standing local-focused UK solution that helps homeless youth in need, care leavers, pensioners who can not afford a computer, refugees and others disadvantaged people and if not would it be possible to put a date in the diary for the next collection please?
   • The Council currently have a live tender for the procurement and disposal of ICT equipment. The framework where you can find this opportunity is RM6068 Lot2 and ends next week.
4. If the council / organisation has recently changed its policy to allow local reuse and access to local organisations to its old still usable tech, may we please ask: how can we also be added to this list of organisations that the equipment to 'offered to before disposal' and receive equal treatment as those organizations?
   • See answer to question 3.