Eco & Environment, Wimborne | Posted on September 9th, 2025 | return to news

IT devices donated in Wimborne go to good homes

Wimborne’s Minster Environment Group have been finding out what happens to devices donated by local people.

People who donate unwanted IT devices to Wimborne’s Minster Environment Group (MEG) might wonder what happens to them.

MEG is one of Planet Wimborne’s community groups and has been working with BlackmoreIT and DonateIT for over 10 years, collecting many tons of unwanted devices. Its last collection in April 2025 received a total of 134 items (251kg) of old kit.

A group from MEG and Planet Wimborne went to the BlackmoreIT premises in Warminster to learn more.

Simon Barfoot, CEO of BlackmoreIT and director of DonateIT, gave a presentation on the processes and accreditations that underpin the service provided by BlackmoreIT to their clients. Held to the highest standards for data management and removal, they can be inspected with no advanced warning. Their care and ethical approach were clearly evidenced across the organisation and, unsurprisingly, they have a high retention of both clients and staff.

A factory tour began with the security processing of delivered kit, which is automatically inspected and wiped. Kit that is reusable is refurbished, and BlackmoreIT has an online and eBay shop where refurbished equipment is resold: www.blackmoreit.com. Any kit that can’t be refurbished is stripped into its component parts, with metals (copper, aluminium and gold) being sent for reclamation: the gold is sent to the Royal Mint. Other materials are shredded ready for recycling.

DonateIT is a separate operation sponsored by BlackmoreIT. While people’s personal kit does not require the very high level of security that industry needs, DonateIT is still robust at data-wiping. Using the same processes, but with the help of volunteers, it provides funds and refurbished kit for those in need. On their visit, MEG and Planet Wimborne were presented with a laptop for Wimborne Food Bank: this had been requested so that Food Bank staff can work with clients to create their own accounts, CVs and job applications.

The next DonateIT collection will be during the Planet Wimborne Green Festival and will take place on Saturday 11 October, 12 noon–2pm, in the Minster.

Until now, MEG has run one-off donation sessions a few times a year, but are looking to set up a permanent collection site in Wimborne, with secure storage.