The Minster Environment Group (MEG) has been working with BlackmoreIT and DonateIT for over 10 years and we thought it was about time we took a visit and see what happens to all the old IT kit we have collected in that time.
On August 5th a group from MEG and Planet Wimborne went to the BlackmoreIT premises in Warminster. Simon Barfoot the CEO of BlackmoreIT and director of DonateIT welcomed us and we had a presentation on the processes and accreditations that underpin the outstanding service BlackmoreIT provide to their high-profile clients. They are held to the highest standards for data management and removal and can be inspected with no advanced warning. It was clear that the care and ethical approach was a theme across the organisation and it was not surprising that they have a high retention of both clients and staff. We then toured the factory starting with the security of delivered kit which then is automatically inspected and wiped. Any kit that cannot be refurbished is then stripped into its component parts and metals are sent for reclaiming. Copper, Aluminium and gold, the latter of which is sent to the Royal Mint. Other materials are shredded ready for recycling. Kit that is reusable is refurbished. BlackmoreIT has an online and ebay shop where orders are satisfied from the refurbished kit.
DonateIT is a separate operation sponsored by BlackmoreIT. Whilst our personal kit does not require the very high level of security that industry needs, DonateIT is still robust at data wiping. Using the same processes and volunteers it provides funds and refurbished kit for those in need. Simon presented us with a laptop for Wimborne Food Bank. This had been requested so the staff at the Food Bank can work with their clients to create their own accounts, CVs and job applications.
Over the years, MEG has collected tons of IT kit and received laptops, tablets and phones that have gone to those that needed them in the Wimborne area. The last collection in April took 134 items, making 251kgs of old kit. Our next collection will be as part of the Planet Wimborne Green Festival on October 11th, 12 noon till 2pm, in the Minster. Please hunt out your old IT kit and bring it along so we can help more people to have access to the IT they need. Up until now MEG has just run one-off sessions a few times a year but we are looking to set up a permanent collection site in Wimborne, with secure storage - so watch this space for news.