The National Banksia Sustainability Awards have celebrated a community initiative from South Sydney for its innovative use of e-waste.

Electronic waste, like old phones, laptops and tablets, is quickly becoming the fastest-growing municipal solid waste sector, according to Clean Up Australia.

The Reconnect Project is not just another recycling program; it’s a lifeline for those on the wrong side of the digital divide. This innovative social enterprise has found a way to breathe new life into old devices, providing essential technology to those in need.

Annette Brodie, the founder and CEO of The Reconnect Project, joined us at 2SER Breakfast to share how these devices are making a real impact.

“It could be a woman who’s fled a violent relationship and needs a phone to maintain contact with family and friends and essential services, or a young person who’s been living in transitional housing for a long time and needs a laptop to complete the tertiary studies.”

Recently honoured with the National Circular Economy Award, The Reconnect Project stands as a beacon of sustainable innovation.

“This is huge for us. We were a very small charity that started just over four years ago with just $5,000 in crowdfunding,” said Brodie.

Since then, over 2,300 devices, including 1,884 mobile phones, 217 tablets, and 324 laptops, have been distributed to individuals and families, bridging the gap between technology access and community needs.

The Reconnect Project is also developing Australia’s first accredited Mobile Device Repair Technician training program.

“We’ve got a training program tailored specifically to helping neurodivergent young adults find repair skills and find a way into the workforce,” Brodie told 2SER. 

“We provide training on the technical side of phone repair and device repair, as well as all the soft skills you need to find a job, how to communicate with fellow employees, how to work in a retail environment and engage in customer service.”

The Reconnect Project ensures that refurbished devices reach those most in need by collaborating with a network of over 100 social service agencies, including women’s shelters, refugee support services, homelessness agencies, and at-risk youth outreach programs.

“We can go back to the donor and say, hey, thanks very much. You gave us 50 laptops or 50 phones. This is where they’ve gone to support women who supported refugees or people recovering from mental health episodes.”

The Reconnect Project provides a Secure Erase certificate and collection service for corporations that want to donate their end-of-life IT assets. 

Check out thereconnectproject.com.au for a list of donation locations, or deliver old devices directly to their repair shop in Pennhurst.