Met Police repurpose surplus IT to bridge London’s digital divide

The Metropolitan Police Service partnered with Get Online London and Reconome to revive surplus tech and drive a circular IT economy – reducing e-waste and boosting social impact.

Challenges 

Faced with the need to renew their IT equipment, the Metropolitan Police Service (MPS) were committed to finding an environmentally and socially positive strategic solution for repurposing their surplus tech assets. 

Corporate IT devices like desktop PCs and monitors have a large carbon footprint, with most emissions created during the production phase. Manufacturing new devices rather than repurposing existing equipment involves further extraction of the earth’s precious materials and releases more CO2.

With their existing IT recycling scheme unable to provide a suitable IT Asset Disposition (ITAD) solution, the MPS entered a partnership with Get Online London, delivered by Good Things Foundation and Reconome, with the support of the London Office of Technology and Innovation (LOTI).   

Key partnership goals

Environmental impact reduction: Extend device lifecycles to minimise new device production and promote reuse of technology assets

Secure data management: Implement NIST-accredited data-wiping, partner with ADISA and ISO-certified facilities and ensure full compliance with law enforcement standards

Community support: Address digital poverty in London by providing access to technology for disadvantaged groups

Ethical handling: Maintain secure, professional, and ethical end-to-end processes, including safeguarding sensitive and confidential data

Reconome has been able to deliver these objectives through top-tier security measures, privacy protection, and sustainable technology management practices.

Results*

“Having a free device has been a lifeline. It’s improved my well-being, decreased my financial anxiety and built my confidence.”

– Liz, device recipient, London

*Data for 2023.

If you would like to learn more about how you could deliver environmental and social impact with Reconome, contact rethink@recono.me.