From corporate IT to community impact with Mace group

The request: laptop reuse for donation

Mace wanted to donate used corporate laptops to the Mace Foundation to support young people exploring careers in construction and the built environment. However, the devices previously contained corporate data, so secure erasure and compliant IT asset disposition were essential.

Mace required an ITAD partner that could

• Guarantee certified data destruction
• Prepare devices for safe reuse
• Maintain compliance and traceability
• Support a sustainable donation pathway

Because data risk remains the primary barrier to IT reuse, Mace Group needed absolute assurance before releasing the laptops externally.

The sustainable ITAD practices that enabled laptop reuse

Circular IT group delivered a secure ITAD laptop reuse service via certified data wiping aligned with ISO security standards. Each device underwent controlled processing to ensure complete data sanitisation and readiness for donation.

1) Secure ITAD for laptop reuse

All laptops were processed using Blancco software, a certified data wiping process. This ensured that no corporate data remained on the devices, enabling safe external reuse through Circular IT group ITAD services.

2) Quality check and reuse preparation

After erasure, devices were inspected and prepared for continued use. This ensured the donated laptops remained functional, reliable, and suitable for programme participants.

3) Donation enablement

Finally, cleared laptops were transferred to the Mace Foundation, enabling their use in employability and skills programmes for young people.

This structured ITAD approach allowed Mace Group to donate technology responsibly while protecting data, reputation, and compliance.

The impact that laptop reuse has on career opportunities

The donated laptops supported the Mace Foundation’s Constructing Your Success programme, which helps young people with care experience explore careers in construction and the built environment.

Technology access plays a critical role in employability programmes. However, many participants lack reliable digital tools. The donated laptops therefore removed a key barrier to education and participation.

“We are extremely grateful for the donation of the laptops to help us deliver the programme. Today, four in ten care leavers aged 19 to 21 are not in employment, education, or training almost three times the rate of their peers so programmes like this are vital in helping to bridge that gap.” Jo Drummond, Mace Foundation Lead

This approach also reduces environmental impact by extending device life and avoiding the need for new laptop manufacturing.

How ITAD supports carbon reduction through laptop reuse

ITAD laptop reuse plays a key role in helping organisations reduce carbon emissions and extend device lifecycles.

Mace Group has clear sustainability and carbon reduction targets across its global operations. Extending the life of IT equipment plays an important role in reducing emissions associated with new device manufacturing.

Through Circular IT group lifecycle management and ITAD services, retired laptops can be securely reused instead of replaced. This reduces demand for new hardware production and avoids the carbon footprint linked to raw materials, manufacturing, and transport.

By reusing existing laptops within programmes like the Mace Foundation initiative, Mace reduces environmental impact while creating social value. This demonstrates how responsible IT lifecycle strategies support both sustainability and community outcomes.

What can organisations learn from the Mace Group?

Through secure IT reuse, Mace Group achieved both robust data protection and meaningful social impact, supporting young people who often face barriers to progressing into education or employment.

This example shows how effective IT lifecycle management can directly strengthen communities. By providing devices that enable essential training, organisations can improve inclusion and remove barriers to learning and employment. In doing so, they help build foundations for young people to develop a strong sense of purpose, meaning, and belonging within a community that cares.

All of this is accomplished while reducing e-waste, CO2 emissions, and ensuring GDPR-compliant data wiping processes.

Next steps

By partnering with Circular IT group as a long-term lifecycle and ITAD partner, Mace ensures secure data management while extending device life, reducing emissions, and supporting youth employability.

Many organisations hold surplus IT that could deliver a similar impact. However, secure processing remains essential before reuse or donation.

If your organisation is considering secure IT donations or reuse, Circular IT group can help you do so safely and responsibly.

Written by Bas Loosbroek