'Tech Amnesty' to recycle unwanted devices begins TODAY

Saturday 13 March 2021

If you have an unwanted phone, tablet, PC or laptop then a new scheme launches TODAY in Jersey to enable you to do something about it, without worrying about losing control of your data.

Bailiwick Express has teamed up with IT hardware firm ITHSCI, and the Jersey Employment Trust to set up a 'Tech Amnesty' which will allow islanders to securely recycle their old devices, and be sure their data has been completely wiped off them.

The team at Acorn in Trinity will be ready to receive unwanted tech from today (Saturday 13 March), with the initiative running until the 5 April. 

On Friday 19 March, and Saturday 20 March, islanders will also be able to drop off their old kit in the Co-op building at Charing Cross, who have generously agreed to donate the space next to the supermarket in support of the project. 

Pictured: the Co-op building at Charing Cross will also be able to accept unwanted devices, on the 19th and 20th March only.

Contributors will need to 'factory reset' the device, and complete a very short form to comply with data security requirements, before handing it in. 

The team at ITHSCI will then collect the device and, wherever possible, permanently wipe all of the data from it - even restoring factory settings doesn't do this completely, and in such a way that personal data can never be recovered.

In some cases, data such as pictures or texts can still be restored even following a factory reset.

If all of the data can't be removed by the team at ITHSCI, then the actual device will be totally shredded, and its component parts or materials reused instead. 

The Amnesty will be open for phones, laptops, tablets and desktop PCs.

Pictured: A standard factory reset of a device doesn't permanently remove all of its data. 

Once the device has been completely wiped, it will then be returned to Acorn for resale with any proceeds being split between the scheme's partners. 

Speaking at the launch of the initiative, Acorn General Manager Steve Pearce said: "The Tech Amnesty is a great opportunity for us to explore other ways of reuse and stop things going into the waste stream, while at the same time creating new opportunities for jobs and training for people who have a disability or long-term health condition. "

The Tech Amnesty will initially run for a four-week period so that the partners involved can assess the number of unwanted devices which may be donated, and the demand to purchase them once all the data has been permanently wiped off. Depending on the results of that trial, it may then be extended into an ongoing initiative. 

Express Director Mark Jackson commented: "New devices come out so frequently now, and each one uses materials which are precious. But if people look after their device, there is no reason why it can't be reused, which is really helpful when we are all trying to keep an eye on how much we are spending, while still making the most of the opportunities available online.

"We know that currently, many people opt for an informal sale via a social media site - but there is a risk that all the data on their device hasn't been permanently erased as a factory reset doesn't do that; and for convenience, we use our phones to hold some very valuable data these days.

"Our partners at ITSHCI are able to completely remove that data permanently, and provide certification that it has been done."

Pictured: our reliance on equipment which can asses the internet means many people have older devices which could be reused, if the data is wiped. 

Before leaving their device at Acorn, islanders will need to restore it to factory settings, and complete this short form, to comply with data security requirements. 

The scheme is also able to work with businesses who may have larger volumes of IT hardware which they need to dispose of.  ITHSCI will provide a fully GDPR compliant collection, audit and processing service along with financial return to JET. Click HERE to arrange a collection.

CLICK HERE to get involved.