Discarded computers and IT equipment are getting a new lease on life as learning tools for students in Mindanao’s underserved communities, thanks to a groundbreaking partnership between insurance company Pru Life UK and circularity solutions startup Humble Sustainability.
Under the partnership, Pru Life UK donates unused company IT assets to Humble Sustainability, which repurpose and resell them.
Proceeds from the sale are funding electronic devices for community madrasahs (Islamic schools) in Mindanao as part of Pru Life UK’s Adopt-a-Madrasah program.
First piloted in Davao City, the program aims to provide teachers and students in marginalized communities with much-needed digital tools. It is a vital component of Pru Life UK’s broader commitment to digital inclusion.
“Our collaboration with Humble Sustainability reflects our commitment to creating meaningful change by addressing two critical issues: electronic waste and the digital divide. By embracing a circular economy approach, we can contribute to a healthier planet while also improving lives through digital access and inclusion,” according to Atty. Paul Mandal, senior vice president and chief legal, government relations and sustainability officer at Pru Life UK.
Humble Sustainability’s mission of bringing one billion items back into circularity perfectly aligns with Pru Life UK’s vision of a greener and more equitable future.
By leveraging an innovative approach to e-waste management, Humble Sustainability not only diverts electronic waste from landfills but also drives sustainable livelihoods for local recyclers and refurbishers.
The process of preventing old, unused, excess IT assets from ending up in a landfill entails securely wiping all data and refurbishing machines make them like new, ready for reuse and resale. Data deletion comes with a certificate of assurance.
Its recycling partners are Department of Environment and Natural Resources-accredited facilities
Reselling IT assets not only helps donors earn but also achieve environmental, social and governmental goals.