If you lost access to all your digital devices tomorrow, would you still be able to run your life?

For many of us in the Information Age, not having a reliable computer is simply unthinkable. Over the last decade, nearly every aspect of life (from banking to healthcare to education) has moved online.

Access to the Internet and suitable personal devices is no longer a luxury; it’s a necessity for completing essential tasks. But many people still lack this digital access, even as millions of viable devices get thrown into landfills every year. 

TechRestore is working to close the technology gap by connecting donors with used devices to recipients in need. Read on to learn how our TechConnect program works and how you can help us make a difference… here in Kentucky, and around the world!

Understanding the Digital Divide

The digital divide is the gap between those who have the resources to engage fully with technology and those who do not.

In an increasingly online era, meaningful participation in society requires high-speed Internet access and an appropriate, secure personal device. Many lower-income households rely solely on smartphones, which may have poor battery life or limited data plans and may be shared between several household members.

The problem is that smartphones have small screens and limited software capability. They’re simply not adequate for completing schoolwork, attending telehealth appointments, or filling out job applications or government forms. Many activities require an up-to-date laptop or desktop computer.

Why E-Waste Matters

Even as millions of people around the world lack the tools they need for digital access, huge numbers of functional devices get thrown away every year. This isn’t just wasteful, it’s dangerous.

Discarded devices often end up in landfills with our regular trash, where they release pollutants like lead and mercury. These chemicals seep into the soil and groundwater, harming fish and wildlife and causing health problems for people in nearby communities.

Many third-party “recyclers” just send the electronic waste to low-income countries overseas. The old devices end up piled in open trash heaps, where workers (including children) take them apart by hand to extract valuable metals. The devices are then burned, releasing toxic fumes into the air. People who work at these sites often lack proper protective gear and suffer serious health risks from chemical exposure.

According to the World Health Organization, “e-waste is one of the fastest growing solid waste streams”… and this problem is only growing as the world goes increasingly online. Read more about the hazards of e-waste here.

How TechConnect Is Bridging the Gap

TechConnect operates on a simple, common-sense principle: functional devices should be donated, not discarded. We act as a conduit between donors and recipients, ensuring that private data is properly removed from devices and that refurbished devices are in good condition.

Our Safe, Secure Donation Process

Donating an old device to TechConnect is easy and secure! We accept used laptops, tablets, and smartphones (and you don’t have to purchase a new device from us to donate your old one). Devices must be working, up-to-date, and capable of running the latest operating system. Not sure if your device qualifies for donation? Give us a call or stop by our retail location, and we’ll help you out.

Once we receive a device for donation, we securely destroy all existing data to protect the donor’s personal information. Then the device is given a full factory reset with a clean operating system. Every device is tested and evaluated by qualified techs to ensure proper performance and functionality.

Finally, your device is matched with an individual or program in need. Check out the next section for a peek at the awesome organizations we support!

Who We Help

TechConnect by TechRestore has partnered with a range of nonprofits over the years to get reliable tech into the hands of people who need it. We have a special affinity for education and love supporting students and schools.

In July 2022, Eastern Kentucky was hit with a catastrophic flood that devastated local schools and communities. TechRestore stepped in to triage, repair, and process over 300 donated Chromebooks for affected students. 

We also supplied a fleet of tablets to a local middle school during the COVID-19 shutdown to keep students connected and on-track with their academics. And we’ve given many devices to students around the world who lacked access to educational technology.

Our next initiative? Joining forces with a program that supports young adults facing social and economic barriers. Each high school graduate will receive their own computer to help them with their educational and career goals!

When you make a donation to TechConnect, you can feel confident that your old device is making a difference!

Moving Towards Digital Inclusion

Opportunity, information, and learning shouldn’t be limited by a lack of access to technology. By providing quality refurbished devices to those in need, TechConnect is empowering individuals, schools, and communities to thrive.

Join the Mission

The digital divide is a growing problem, but we can all be part of the solution.

If you have a used device to donate, click here to start the process. You don’t have to be local to Louisville– we accept donations of working smartphones, tablets and laptops from anywhere in the United States!

Are you part of a school, nonprofit or organization that needs donated devices? We’d love to talk about how we can help support your mission! Fill out our donation request form here.