Good Things reaches 100 Device Bank contributors

Partnering with our National Device Bank is one of the key ways UK organisations can tackle e-waste. It's a core driver behind the success of the government-backed IT Reuse for Good Charter, which we are thrilled to share has just been shortlisted for a Third Sector Award for Best Policy Initiative of the Year.

Turning e-waste into opportunity

With 1.6 million UK adults still lacking a device to access the internet, our goal remains clear: bridge the digital divide by getting devices directly to those who need them most.

Together with Reconome, we turn decommissioned laptops, smartphones, and tablets that might otherwise have been prematurely recycled into life-changing digital opportunities. We recently marked another huge moment for the team by collecting decommissioned tech from our 100th contributor, Adur & Worthing Councils!

One year of the IT Reuse for Good Charter

It’s also been one year since we co-developed the IT Reuse for Good Charter alongside the former Department for Science, Innovation and Technology (DSIT), VodafoneThree, and Deloitte UK.

The Charter advocates for a ‘reuse first’ approach to corporate IT asset management, embedding social and environmental good into standard asset disposal to support Net Zero goals.

In just twelve months, the impact has been immediate:

• 28,000 individuals have already benefited from a refurbished device.

• 43 major signatories across the private, public, and third sectors have committed to the cause.

• Organisations are fully supported through our practical IT Reuse for Good Charter Playbook.

Natasha Early, National Device Bank Lead, Good Things Foundation, said:

"It’s a fantastic milestone to acknowledge the 100 organisations that have contributed to the National Device Bank. Leveraging decommissioned IT assets for digital inclusion benefit is gaining traction in the UK right now... This feels like the perfect moment to thank the pioneers and encourage even more to consider IT reuse for good."

A rapid journey of impact: From 2020 to 2026

• 2020: Launched as the DevicesDotNow campaign during the pandemic, providing ~17,000 new devices to people in need. Recognising that buying new tech was financially and environmentally unsustainable, Good Things Foundation pivoted toward sustainability.
• 2022: The National Device Bank was launched, setting a new standard for secure, responsible IT asset management in partnership with Reconome.
• 2025: Good Things Foundation collaborated with the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology (DSIT), VodafoneThree, and Deloitte UK to launch the first-ever government-backed ‘IT Reuse for Good’ Charter. By the end of 2025 more than 28,000 people have received a device via the National Device Bank.
• 2026: In January 2026, Reconome became the exclusive tech partner to Good Things. Under a new commercial participation agreement, Reconome has committed 85,000 devices for digital inclusion by June 2029, ensuring a steady pipeline of tech for those who need it most.

Honouring our key contributors

The scale of our National Device Bank is only possible because of the incredible coalition of forward-thinking partners standing alongside us. We want to extend our deepest gratitude to:

• Reconome: Our exclusive tech partner, ensuring a seamless experience for both corporate donors and community recipients.

• Virgin Media O2 & Nominet: For providing the vital initial seed funding to launch the National Device Bank.

• VodafoneThree: For embedding the National Device Bank into their Great British Tech Appeal.

• The Metropolitan Police: Our largest device contributor to date, single-handedly enabling the fulfillment of the London Device Bank on behalf of the Greater London Authority.

• National Grid Electricity Distribution: For trusting us with our very first official device collection—a partnership that has now expanded group-wide.

• Our Movement Partners: People’s Partnership, London Office of Technology and Innovation (LOTI), Land Aid, and Liverpool City Region Combined Authority, for championing our cause across their networks.

• Adur & Worthing Councils: For joining us as our landmark 100th contributor!

Simon Millier, Head of Technology & Design, Adur & Worthing Councils, said:

"Access to technology isn't a luxury - it's essential for accessing digital services and staying connected. We're really proud to be working with Reconome and Good Things Foundation... It's incredible to hear how much difference our retired IT equipment can make when it's given a second life."

Nick Rawkins, CEO and Founder, Reconome, said:

"Reaching a hundred donors makes you stop and think about what we've actually built... Our target of 85,000 devices with Good Things Foundation isn't an aspiration; it's a commitment to people in digital poverty, who cannot afford for us to fall short."

Looking ahead: Help us grow the movement

We are so proud of how far we’ve come, but the work isn't done. We need your help to keep the momentum going.

If your organisation (or one in your network) has decommissioned hardware, encourage them to sign the IT Reuse for Good Charter and contribute to the National Device Bank. Together, we can hit sustainability targets and unlock digital access for the millions still left behind.