ReTec

Recycling Technology

This is a new project to recycle used laptop computers and donate them to families and individuals facing financial hardship

We run this project jointly with First Days Children’s Charity and SHARE Wokingham, and with the assistance of Wokingham Borough Libraries. We provide the manpower and the technical knowledge. First Days and SHARE provide the premises and the logistics, First Days and SHARE oversee distribution of the refurbished items, and Wokingham Libraries assist by providing collection points.

We collect used laptop computers and recycle them to families in need, Ukrainian refugees, charities and local non-profit organisations.

So far we have renovated over 100 laptops and donated them to families suffering hardship, and to Ukranian refugees to help them get established in this country.

All laptops are completely wiped, cleaned, refurbished and tested then reset to be like new before being offered to others

We take great care to protect the security of any data you leave on laptops donated to us, and completely erase it before passing it on. However, if you want to erase it yourself before donating, follow these instructions

The process is as follows:

  1. Collection: We ask donors to take used laptops to one of our collecting centres (see below). If necessary we can arrange collection
  2. Storage: We store the laptops in a secure location until we have time to work on them
  3. Wipe all data: The very first thing we do is to completely wipe all data from them
  4. Repair/Refurbish: We test each device and carry out any necessary repairs. We can replace any broken or missing parts, then we physically clean the device inside and outside
  5. Install software: We supply clean laptops ready for the user to customise. We provide instructions for the user to install a selection of useful free applications including email clients, word processing, spreadsheets and web browsers,
  6. Distribution: We donate the refurbished laptops to clients who have been vetted by First Days
  7. Support: We give limited technical support to the recipients to ensure they are able to use the devices

We need your old laptops! We accept any working laptops running Windows 7 or later, and Chromebooks. Please remember to include the power supply.

We particularly want corporate suppliers so if you work for a company please ask them to pass laptops to us when they upgrade.

Please take your used laptops to one of our collecting centres below. If you aren’t able to, email us and we can arrange collection

How you can get Help

Distribution of refurbished laptops is being handled by First Days and SHARE Wokingham. If you think they can help you then please visit their websites.

COLLECTION CENTRES

WOKINGHAM LIBRARIES

Most libraries in Wokingham borough are participating in this project. Simply take your used laptops to your nearest library.

The participating libraries are:

  • Wokingham
  • Lower Earley
  • Woodley
  • Finchampstead
  • Winnersh
  • Twyford
  • Wargrave
  • Spencers Wood

For addresses and opening times click here

Wokingham Charity and Community Hub

Waterford House, Erfstadt Court, Denmark Street, Wokingham, RG40 2YF

(through walkway by Zen Nail Bar)

Open Monday – Friday, 9:00am – 5:00pm

SHARE Wokingham

Arborfield

Royal British Legion, Eversley Road, RG2 9PR
Thursdays 3.30-4pm on the following dates:
10th and 24th October 2024
7th and 21st November 2024
5th and 19th December 2024

Bracknell

St Andrews Church, Priestwood Court Road, RG42 1TU
Friday 1pm – 2.30pm
Great Hollands Community Centre, Great Hollands Square, Bracknell, RG12 8UX
Saturday 10am – 11am

Finchampstead

FBC Centre, Gorse Ride North, Finchampstead, RG40 4ES Tuesday opens at 10am

Shinfield

Shinfield Community Church, 1 Fairmead Road, Shinfield RG2 9DL
Monday 12.30-1.30pm

South Ascot

All Soul’s Church, All Souls’ Rd, Ascot SL5 9EA.
Friday 13.00 – 14.00

Sunningdale

Hope Church, The Hope Centre, High Street, SL5 0NG (next door to Nag’s Head Pub)
Tuesday 12-1pm

Winnersh

Rainbow Centre, Rainbow Park, RG41 5SG
Wednesday 1pm-2pm

Wokingham

Norreys Church, Norreys Avenue RG40 1UU
Friday 12.30-2.30

The Well at King’s Church, 9 Station Road, RG40 2AD Wednesday 11-3pm

Woodley

Emmanuel Church Centre, Southlake Crescent, RG5 3QW Monday 3.30-430pm

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