Frome Town Council are hosting a tech amnesty with Somerset CIC Donate IT at Frome Town Hall on Sunday 28th January from 10am to 1pm. Donate IT collect, refurbish and redistribute phones, laptops, tablets and other digital devices to people who need them. Anyone with devices to donate can bring them to the drop-off point in the town hall car park to hand to Donate IT volunteers.  

Devices will be wiped of data, restored and distributed to people who need them, with any non-usable items disposed of responsibly. 70% of global toxic waste is linked to discarded tech in landfill, and the precious metals inside devices, such as copper and cobalt, are much more intensive and difficult to mine than they are to recycle.  

Digital Connector Will Palmer says: "Did you receive a new laptop, tablet, smartphone or console for Christmas? Don't let the old one languish in a drawer – donate it to help a stranger and give your device a new lease of life. We live in an increasingly digital world, and some of us are comfortable with that, but it definitely isn't the case for everyone. There are many reasons why people experience digital exclusion; for some it's lack of experience using the tech and for others, they simply can't afford to pay for the devices they need. Donate IT exists to bridge the gap, by getting devices into the hands of people in need, offering training in digital skills, and ensuring that any device that can't be used are disposed of in an eco-friendly, responsible way."  

Fiona Barrows, Frome Town councillor said "Donating unwanted tech is a simple way to do a good thing for your community and for the planet – research suggests that a lot of unused tech, and phones in particular, are stored rather than thrown away. That's much better than throwing them into landfill, but donating them could make a huge difference to someone – and be better for the environment. Please consider donating any unwanted devices to the Donate IT team on 28th January and start your New Year with a good deed."  

The Donate IT team will be in the car park at Frome Town Hall, off Park Road in Frome, from 10am to 1pm on Sunday 28th January. In the case of extremely cold weather, the collection will move indoors; if this is the case the area will be clearly signposted.