How schools are turning their old devices into cash
Replacing devices doesn’t have to drain your budget or add to the growing problem of e-waste. Solutions IT has partnered with IT Asset Disposal (ITAD) provider, Green Circuit to help schools turn old laptops, tablets, and desktops into cash through an ethical e-waste recycling programme.
Mindarie Secondary College is one of many WA schools turning sustainability into tangible results. Through Solutions IT’s buy-back program, the school recently transformed a collection of outdated Apple devices into $6,000 — funds now reinvested into new technology.
The college's technical support officer Dillan Bailey said the process was made very simple. “Green Circuit collected 56 iMacs from our media labs, along with the rest of our e-waste,” he said.
“As a schools it is important to us that we meet our sustainability goals and Solutions IT has helped us achieve this through responsibly recycling our old technology. In addition, the funds raised from the buyback went towards purchasing new technology for our students.”
— Dillan Bailey, Mindarie Secondary College
How It Works
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Contact Solutions IT: Get in touch with us for a free quote on your old devices. We’ll assess their potential value and provide you with a quote.
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Prepare your devices: Once the agreed amount is confirmed, gather your retired laptops, tablets, desktops or monitors ready for collection.
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We collect: Green Circuit arranges secure collection directly from your school, saving you time and effort.
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Certified data erasure: Every device is securely wiped to industry standards, and a certificate is issued to meet your compliance requirements.
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Device recycled: Every device is assessed for ethical disposal with zero landfill e-waste through responsible re-cycling, refurbishing and repurposing.
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Funds deposited: Once the process is complete, you send us an invoice for the agreed amount and we pay that directly into your nominated school bank account.
A Sustainable Choice
Green Circuit founder Nick Coates said he is delighted to be partnering with Solutions IT to help WA schools reduce their carbon footprint by partnering with Solutions IT.
“It’s fantastic to see the huge uptake in this service by WA schools who are committed to sustainability and contributing to the circular economy.”
— Green Cicuit Founder Nick Coates
“It’s also really rewarding to hear the different ways schools have used the funds they receive from devices to have an impact either within their own community or outside of it.”
The Hidden Cost of Donating Devices To Charities
The intention behind donating old devices is always positive, but the reality can be very different. Research shows that 40% of donated devices end up in landfill within 12 months.
Why? Devices donated are often already four to five years old, unsupported, out of warranty, and quickly become obsolete. Charities rarely have the IT resources to manage or repair them, meaning that while schools intend to give, they often unknowingly pass on a problem.
This matters more than ever because by 2027, Australian schools and businesses will need to satisfy ESG audits that require proof of their “downstream” — the ultimate destination of their retired assets. The best outcome is an audit trail proving zero landfill. For schools that donate with the best of intentions, this unknown downstream can become a compliance risk.
That’s why the smarter option is to choose a buy-back program: take the cash return, then donate those funds (or even purchase brand-new devices and donate those). That way, your contribution has lasting impact, without the hidden environmental costs.
Ready to Unlock Value from Your Old Devices?
Don’t let unused technology sit gathering dust. With Solutions IT’s buy-back service, you can free up space, protect your data, support sustainability, and return real funds to your school.
Contact us today for a free quote on your old devices and see how much your school could save.