Donor story: Sustainability Trust
At a glance
Sustainability Trust is a community not-for-profit social enterprise working towards the vision of a just and sustainable low-carbon future for Te Upoko o te Ika a Māui, the wider Wellington region. Since 2003, they've empowered people to reduce their environmental impact, take climate action, and strengthen their connection with Papatūānuku, achieving impressive results.
The Recycle A Device (RAD) and Sustainability Trust partnership goes back 3 years, with Sustainability Trust joining as an early RAD supporter and consistently helping Te Whanganui-a-Tara communities divert unwanted laptops from waste streams into second lives upskilling young people and reducing digital inequity. All in the name of giving back to the community, social equity and supporting sustainable living.
"In working with RAD since 2021, it has been amazing to see this initiative thrive and the positive impact it has generated.”
321
laptops donated by Sustainability Trust to RAD
14
school and community clubs learnt new skills while refurbishing these laptops
Why did Sustainability Trust want to work with RAD?
Sustainability Trust seeks opportunities to divert electronics from landfills and extend their use. Both organisations empower people of all ages and abilities to build repair skills, form social connections, and engage in the circular economy.
Sustainability Trust and RAD share a social equity lens and complementary kaupapa - understanding that not everyone has the same access to resources and services, and actively seeking collaborations that will enhance opportunities for the community. Collaboration creates lasting impact when organisations support each other. While Sustainability Trust resells e-waste to support its operation, that doesn’t exclude a relationship with trusted partners like RAD.
How Sustainability Trust and RAD work together?
Te Aro Zero Waste, a collaboration between Sustainability Trust and Wellington City Council, accepts various items for reuse and recycling. When devices meet RAD's criteria, people can choose to donate them, and many do. Any laptops that don’t fit RAD’s criteria can still be accepted at Te Aro Zero Waste as part of their e-waste programme, meaning no one gets turned away.
RAD pays the logistics costs of getting the laptop data wiped and sent to where they need to be to enable young people to upskill and access devices. “It's a straightforward process,” says Sustainability Trust's Polly Griffiths.
“Keeping stuff out of landfill, giving opportunities for our rangatahi to learn skills while also tackling the digital divide gives us a powerful story to engage our community on the behaviour change we can achieve together.”
Polly Griffiths, Sustainability Trust Sustainability Manager
By communities, for communities
Sustainability Trust works hard in the community to encourage people to consider how they can keep their stuff in use for as long as possible, and consume less. When upgrades are needed, partnerships like RAD and Sustainability Trust ensure valuable products are reused, benefiting the community.
The RAD team is proud to partner with Sustainability Trust, whose impactful work in Wellington helps secure valuable device donations from their generous community.
