Frequently Asked Questions

ABOUT

  • DIGICIRCLE4ALL is an impact-driven initiative that bridges South Africa’s digital divide by collecting, refurbishing, and redistributing decommissioned IT devices. It combines circular economy practices with digital skills training to increase digital access and create sustainable job opportunities.

  • The programme runs a closed-loop IT value chain:

    • Collect decommissioned devices from companies

    • Wipe all data securely

    • Refurbish the devices locally

    • Redistribute them at affordable prices

    • Provide digital literacy training

    • Capture remaining e-waste

    • Recycle non-reusable materials through formal recyclers

    • Educate about circular economy and proper e-waste disposal

    This ensures a full cradle‑to‑cradle cycle that minimizes waste and maximizes community value.

  • ItEveryone! Refurbished devices are made particularly affordable and accessible to:

    • Students at TVETs and universities

    • Unemployed youth

    • Schools and NGOs

    • Entrepreneurs and small businesses

    Underserved communities lacking digital accessem description

  • DIGICIRCLE4ALL is delivered by a consortium of leading circular and social-impact partners, including:

    • TheRockGroup – sustainability strategy & training

    • Close The Gap – global IT refurbishment specialists

    • Rhiza Babuyile – community development & training

    • Spaak – circular business development

    • DigiSurfer – digital inclusion education

    The programme also partners with corporates, formal e-waste recyclers, TVET colleges, universities, and local government.

DEVICE DONATION, DATA SECURITY & QUALITY ASSURANCE

  • All donated devices undergo:

    • ISO 27001 aligned data wiping via Blancco, ensuring complete and certified data erasure

    • Technical assessment

    • Refurbishment or safe dismantling

    Usable devices are restored for reuse, while non-repairable components are processed through formal recycling streams.

  • Yes. All devices are erased using Blancco, an internationally recognised, industry leading data wiping solution. Blancco is ISO 27001 certified, ensuring strict information security management and fully compliant, verifiable data destruction for corporate donors.

    DIGICIRCLE4ALL operates according to the highest international standards, including:

    • ISO 9001 – Quality Management

    • ISO 27001 – Information Security Management

    • WEELABEX – e waste treatment and recycling compliance

    • Blancco-certified data wiping for secure erasure

    These certifications ensure all devices are handled, processed, and wiped in a secure, transparent, and internationally compliant way.

  • Yes. After wiping each device using Blancco’s ISO 27001 aligned data erasure system, we provide a certificate of data destruction for compliance, auditing, or internal security needs.

  • Every refurbished device undergoes:

    • technical assessment

    • component testing

    • upgrades (where needed)

    • quality assurance checks

    • sanitation and certification before distribution

    This ensures high-performance, safe, and reliable devices.

  • Yes. Refurbished devices typically include a limited warranty covering hardware functionality. Warranty periods vary depending on device type and condition.

  • Everyone! Refurbished devices are made particularly affordable and accessible to:

    Students at TVETs and universities

    • Unemployed youth

    • Schools and NGOs

    • Entrepreneurs and small businesses

    • Underserved communities lacking digital access

DEVICE ELIGIBILITY & E-WASTE RULES

  • We accept most decommissioned IT equipment, including phones, laptops, desktops, monitors, servers, tablets, and peripherals. Devices do not need to be fully functional — even non-repairable items are valuable for responsible recycling and skills training.

  • Not necessarily. Devices in any condition are welcome. Functional devices are refurbished for reuse, while non-functional ones are safely dismantled and recycled through formal e-waste channels.

  • Non-repairable devices still contribute value. They are dismantled safely, with reusable parts harvested and materials sent to certified recyclers, supporting the cradle to cradle cycle and local green jobs.

  • We cannot accept:

    1) Radioactive or radiation-containing equipment

    • Nuclear medicine / radiotherapy components

    • Smoke detectors (many contain small radioactive sources, depending on type and jurisdiction)

    • Any device labelled with the radiation trefoil symbol

    2) Medical / biohazardous equipment (unless decontaminated + documented)

    • Items contaminated with blood/body fluids or sharps risk

    • Lab equipment with biological contamination

    • Clinical waste bins, sharps containers

    3) Lamps and bulbs (often excluded from “general e-waste” streams)

    • Fluorescent tubes, CFLs (contain mercury)

    • HID lamps (some contain mercury/metal halides)

    • Mixed “lighting waste” unless they run a dedicated lamp program

    4) Loose/household batteries beyond common e-waste battery types:

    • Alkaline batteries (AA/AAA/C/D)

    • Button cells / coin cells

    • The above being said - we are able to accept Lithium ION batteries from cellphones etc, as well as lead acid batteries from UPS’s

    5) Pressurised containers, cylinders, and explosive risk items:

    • Aerosol cans, gas cylinders

    • Fire extinguishers

    • Oxygen tanks from medical breathing devices

COLLECTIONS & LOGISTICS

  • We collect nationwide. You can also drop off your e-waste to the Close The Gap refurbishment facility:

    Unit 2, Eastborough Exchange, 10 Olympia Street, Eastgate, Sandton, 2090

  • No fee is charged if you donate at least 30 assets (e.g., phones, laptops, printers, servers, desktops, screens). We will also collect your remaining e‑waste (excluding restricted items).

PRICING, BULK ORDERS & ACCESS

  • Devices are sold at below-market prices to ensure accessibility. Pricing depends on the device type, condition, and upgrade requirements but remains significantly lower than retail to support affordability for students, NGOs, and community members.

  • Yes. DIGICIRCLE4ALL provides refurbished devices in bulk to NGOs, NPOs, schools, community centres, and educational institutions at highly accessible rates. Custom packages can be arranged.

  • The programme provides:

    • Digital literacy education

    • IT refurbishment and hardware repair skills

    • Circular economy training

    This supports long-term employability and sustainable local enterprise development.

  • DIGICIRCLE4ALL prioritises unemployed youth and women for training in digital literacy, IT refurbishment, circular economy skills, and green entrepreneurship. Many programme participants progress into paid roles within refurbishment, e-waste handling, and community training.

  • E-waste hubs are community based centres where devices are collected, sorted, and/or safely dismantled. They create local work opportunities while ensuring responsible handling of end-of-life electronics.

TRAINING & COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT

  • E-waste hubs are community based centres where devices are collected, sorted, and/or safely dismantled. They create local work opportunities while ensuring responsible handling of end-of-life electronics.

  • They can:

    • apply for affordable refurbished devices

    • request digital literacy workshops

    • partner to host e-waste drives

    • participate in community awareness campaigns

  • • Donate decommissioned devices

    • Join circular economy workshops

    • Use circular consultancy services

    • Co-establish community e-waste hubs

    • Partners also gain B-BBEE SED benefits and impact reporting.

  • Donating decommissioned IT devices to DIGICIRCLE4ALL can qualify toward B-BBEE Socio-Economic Development (SED). After receiving the devices, Close The Gap conducts a formal valuation to determine their monetary worth. This valuation can be recognised as an SED contribution if the end beneficiaries meet B-BBEE requirements.

    Although DIGICIRCLE4ALL does not donate the refurbished devices, the programme still qualifies under SED because the original corporate donation directly enables:

    • Skills development for youth and women (IT refurbishment, digital literacy, and circular economy training)

    • Job creation in refurbishment, e-waste handling, and green entrepreneurship

    • Access to affordable devices for low-income learners, job seekers, and community organisations

    • Socio-economic upliftment, as trainees gain employment pathways and digital access expands in underserved communities

    Refurbished devices are sold at impact prices, ensuring affordability while sustaining the circular ecosystem.

TRAINING & COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT

  • DIGICIRCLE4ALL reduces e-waste, increases device reuse, lowers carbon footprints, and diverts materials from landfill. Through its cradle-to-cradle approach, it builds regenerative systems that promote sustainability and responsible resource use.

  • All refurbishment, dismantling, and recycling processes follow South African e-waste legislation and global best practices. Non-reusable components are handled only by formal, accredited e-waste recyclers, ensuring safe material recovery and zero landfill contributions.

  • DIGICIRCLE4ALL offers impact reporting for donation partners, covering:

    • number of devices diverted from landfill

    • carbon footprint reductions

    • social impact metrics, such as number of trainees and beneficiaries

    • circularity indicators and community outcomes

ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT & COMPLIANCE