Redundant GTR computers to transform students' lives in Malawi

Govia Thameslink Railway (GTR) are donating 600 redundant computers to The Turing Trust, the IT recycling and education charity.

The donation and refurbishment of the mini desktop computers will enable thousands of children to learn computing skills, while saving over 160 tonnes of carbon emissions that would otherwise have been created by the manufacture of new computers.

Whilst GTR are replacing the outdated desktops because they no longer support the latest software that the company needs to use, they are potentially invaluable for organisations such as charities and schools who cannot afford the IT equipment they need.

The train operator delivered the first batch of 70 desktops to the Trust’s workshop this week. GTR’s IT team first removed all data and reinstalled the original operating system. The Trust will now wipe the donated equipment securely to UK Government standards, before undertaking any refurbishment and repairs needed, and then ship the fully working equipment to recipients in need.

Most of GTR’s donation is expected to be passed on to schools in Malawi, where The Turing Trust has been working since 2016. Just six years ago, only three per cent of Malawian schools had even a single computer. Now, thanks to the Trust’s programme, over 80 per cent of schools in the north of the country have the technology for children to learn computing skills.

Some of the donation will go to support communities in the UK.

GTR were keen to link up with the Trust again since they worked together last November. With the Trust’s help, the company donated 80 old Android tablets to a charity helping homeless and excluded people gain the computing skills to create CVs and apply for jobs.

James Turing, Founder of the Trust, said: “We're delighted to receive this fantastic donation from Govia Thameslink Railway which will help us to do so much in the coming months. Thanks to their donation, 10,800 students will be able to learn vital IT skills.

“Beyond this the environmental impact from their donation will offset 168 tonnes of CO2 emissions, which is the equivalent of planting 420 trees, or offsetting the annual carbon footprints of 17 Britons. The embodied energy savings created are also enough to power 41 UK homes for a year as well. Thank you so much to the whole team at Govia Thameslink Railway for making all of this possible!”

Aidan Shanahan, GTR’s Head of IT, said: “We’re delighted to be able to work with The Turing Trust to make such a life-changing difference for so many people, by giving old equipment a second life. The demand for refurbished computers is so high that the 600 units we’re donating is a drop in the ocean, so we encourage other organisations with redundant kit to work with the Trust so it can be re-used securely with such lasting and valuable impact.”

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Editors’ notes

More about the Turing Trust

Founded by Alan Turing’s family, The Turing Trust seeks to continue his legacy by using technology to empower disadvantaged communities. Alan is widely regarded as the father of modern computing and he saw IT as a tool for solving immense challenges. He also had a passion for helping others: he funded one member of his foster family to work in Africa and sponsored a Jewish refugee’s schooling during World War II.

In honour of Alan Turing’s altruistic spirit, we refurbish IT equipment, install a range of educational software and provide it to those who need it most. In our first 10 years we have enabled access to computers for over 55,000 students across Africa. With your help and a great deal of hard work, we believe that one day every child will be able to enjoy the transformative power of technology that Alan envisioned.

More from the Trust about the environmental benefits of recycling IT equipment

We aim to provide the most ethical solution to IT Asset Disposal (ITAD), both socially and environmentally. Even before a desktop computer is switched on for the first time, 50% of its lifecycle fossil fuels have already been consumed in manufacturing it. This embodied carbon can be even higher for other IT devices, going as high as 80% for laptops. Therefore, through reusing computers we are reducing unnecessary production and reducing the associated carbon emissions.

Extending The Life Of PCs

Through our circular economy solution every classroom we supply extends the life of 20 PCs. This gives carbon savings of 6 tonnes of CO2e, which is the equivalent of planting 14 trees, or nearly offsetting 1 person’s carbon footprint in the UK.

[We have based these statistics on conversion factors calculated by the Centre for Sustainability Accounting and the Stockholm Environment Institute. These factors are used by the UK Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs (DEFRA).]

Energy Savings

Continuing to use an old computer, even if it’s not as energy-efficient as a new one, creates energy savings because the carbon savings exceed the benefit from any potential energy efficiency gain from replacing it. Looking at embodied energy, replacing a PC cannot be considered on environmental grounds until the computer is at least 16 years old. Therefore, the energy savings made from just one classroom of 20 PCs of 17.4 MWh is enough to power 324 TVs for a year.