Sustainable Tech 4 Good (ST4G) and Cambridge Online are delighted to announce that they are launching a county-wide campaign to significantly increase the gifting of mobile phones to those in need.
Working together, we have created a cardboard dump bin that will allow organisations to appeal directly to employees and members of the public encouraging them to make donations of unwanted phones. These receptacles can be delivered to the selected venues and collected on demand, so there is no cost to the host.
Research shows that the average adult has between two and three redundant mobile phones at home, often sat unused in a drawer. These can quickly be refurbished and then gifted to an individual who lacks even a simple device – giving them access to important services such as online shopping, internet banking, emails, social networks, and NHS apps.
The Good Things Foundation has recently calculated that “being offline” costs an individual on average over £400 a year, and sometimes three times this amount — so even a basic device can make a big difference to a person’s livelihood.
The locations of the dump bins will be listed and mapped on Cambridge Online’s website, and we can accept any mobile device whatever the age and model – but we ask donors to please reset and unlock the phone before they are donated, as this significantly reduces the work involved in refurbishing the devices.
If you know of someone who might be prepared to host a collection bin, please encourage them to contact our Office Manager and we would be delighted to explain the process.
Contact: taron@cambridgeonline.org.uk | Tel: 01223 800450
About Cambridge Online
Cambridge Online helps over 2,000 individuals a year from across Cambridgeshire and Peterborough to access online services safely and confidently. Training and support is provided at more than 20 community centres and public spaces, with live details readily available via its website. The charity’s services are free and open to all.
In partnership with Sustainable Tech 4 Good, Cambridge Online collects and refurbishes laptops, tablets and mobile phones for gifting to the public and needy individuals. Over £28,000 of devices were gifted in 2025.
About Sustainable Tech 4 Good
Sustainable Tech 4 Good has been supporting digital inclusion since 2020, working with businesses and other organisations to securely data erase and refurbish excess tech for sustainable reuse, and has helped well over 7,000 people in need with devices. All devices donated are securely handled by ST4G, enabling their safe onward reuse to support digital inclusion.
To find out more about ST4G’s solutions, please email hello@sustainabletech4good.co.uk