With support for Windows 10 ending, SocialBox.Biz is urging UK businesses to embrace responsible tech disposal as part of the European Week for Waste Reduction, which runs from November 22 to 30 this year. SocialBox.Biz, a Community Interest Company, collects usable laptops and IT equipment, upgrades them with open-source software for reuse, and then distributes them through its network of national charity partners.
Nearly half of all Windows computers worldwide, and millions here in Britain, still run Windows 10. Because many older devices do not meet the strict hardware criteria for Windows 11, businesses risk their assets becoming instantly obsolete, unsupported, and susceptible to security vulnerabilities overnight. Recent surveys indicate that approximately 21 million people in the UK still depend on Windows 10 devices, with about 13 million machines now exposed to a significantly higher cyber threat level.
Through its “Call Before You Scrap It” campaign, SocialBox.Biz appeals to companies to review and donate surplus hardware before considering recycling or disposal. This small step can reduce Scope 3 emissions, tackle the growing e-waste problem, and generate significant social and environmental value, while also helping companies meet their legal responsibilities and environmental, social, and governance (ESG) commitments. Reuse of technology through SocialBox.Biz has already enabled digital inclusion for those experiencing homelessness, older adults, and other groups vulnerable to social exclusion, both in London and nationally.
SocialBox.Biz collaborates with leading charity partners including Age UK branches, the Passage and the C4WS Homeless Project, providing repurposed IT that can support individuals with essential equipment that can help their education, job searches, and daily communication. There is currently a particular need for surplus Google Chromebooks and MacBooks with larger screens to better support older recipients with visual impairments. Earlier this year, Elaine, a beneficiary of the C4WS Homeless Project, was able to rebuild her life and pursue college studies because she received a donated laptop, demonstrating the powerful, practical impact of this initiative.
A spokesperson for SocialBox.Biz said, “There are countless benefits for companies repurposing unwanted IT. Redundant hardware can become a source of positive community change, reducing waste, lowering emissions, and providing lifeline technology to those who need it most. It has never been easier for businesses to help the community gain access to spare computers if they are willing to donate them.”
SocialBox.Biz welcomes enquiries from organisations interested in learning more about sustainable IT reuse, partnership opportunities, or the wider impact of digital inclusion.
