Recycle A Device
Recycle A Device is a New Zealand not-for-profit that refurbishes donated laptops and gifts them to rangatahi (young people) in need, while training students in STEM refurbishment skills through school-based RAD Clubs under parent charity Digital Future Aotearoa.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2020
- HeadquartersSnells Beach, New Zealand
- Headcount1–10
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingServices
What Recycle A Device does
Recycle A Device (RAD) is a New Zealand not-for-profit programme established in 2020 and operated under parent charity Digital Future Aotearoa. RAD addresses the digital divide affecting approximately 20% of New Zealanders (around one million people) by collecting end-of-life corporate and individual laptops (less than ten years old), refurbishing them through a community-based training model, and gifting them to rangatahi (young people) and whānau in need. The programme combines three intertwined missions: device access, STEM skills development for secondary students, and e-waste diversion from landfills.
The core operating model is the RAD Club — school and community-based clubs where rangatahi learn diagnostic and refurbishment skills under trainers from Remojo Tech (founded by the original Aotea College students Owyn and Hadi). Schools retain half of the refurbished devices for their local community while the remainder is distributed nationally via community partners. Enterprise-grade data sanitisation is performed by IT asset management partner Entelar using BlackBelt wipe technology before any device enters the refurbishment pipeline. Devices costing approximately $186 per unit to process flow through the programme at no cost to recipients.
RAD is funded entirely by donations, grants, and in-kind support — it charges no fees to donors or recipients. Revenue streams include individual micro-donations via One Percent Collective, corporate laptop and monetary donations (Kiwibank, Foodstuffs North Island, Chorus, Transpower, Todd Corporation, Aurecon), government grants (NZTE, Ministry of Education, Ministry for Pacific Peoples, Department of Internal Affairs, Auckland Council, Christchurch City Council), and philanthropic trusts (Pam Fergusson Charitable Trust, Foundation North, Rata Foundation, InternetNZ). The organisation has won multiple awards between 2021 and 2024 including NZ Hi-Tech Awards (Best Hi-Tech Solution for Public Good, Best Contribution to NZ Tech Sector) and the IDC Future Enterprise Award for Best in Future of Trust. RAD operates with a small team of approximately 6 staff including 4 key members: General Manager Kris Dempster-Rivett, Lead Trainer Riley Pugh, Programme Manager Kelsey Hallahan, and Community & School Liaison Eva Riddell.
Recycle A Device firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Recycle A Device
- Legal name
- Recycle A Device
- Website
- https://recycleadevice.nz
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2020
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 1–10 employees
- Short description
- Recycle A Device is a New Zealand not-for-profit that refurbishes donated laptops and gifts them to rangatahi (young people) in need, while training students in STEM refurbishment skills through school-based RAD Clubs under parent charity Digital Future Aotearoa.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Recycle A Device industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Digital Inclusion and E-waste Refurbishment Services
- NAICS
- Waste Management and Remediation Services (562)
- SIC
- Services-Miscellaneous Repair Services (7600)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Electronics Refurbishment, Repair & Reuse (Remarketing/Resale) (BPALAIAD)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- E-Waste (WEEE) Collection, Refurbishment & Recycling (IMAIAFAH), Consumer E-waste Collection & Take-Back Programs (EUAIAIAA)
Keywords
Where Recycle A Device is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Snells Beach
- HQ country
- New Zealand
- HQ region
- Oceania
Offices1 record
Markets served
Recycle A Device business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales
Revenue model
- Donations and Grants: RAD is a not-for-profit initiative that operates entirely on donations, grants, and support from charitable organisations. The organisation does not sell anything and does not charge donors or recipients. Revenue comes from individual monetary donations via One Percent Collective, corporate donations, and grants from trusts and foundations.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Other | Pay-as-you-go | Free laptop programme for eligible recipients |
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels3 records
Marketing channels4 records
Recycle A Device product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Recycle A Device (RAD) is a not-for-profit initiative that collects donated laptops (less than 10 years old with chargers) from individuals and organisations, refurbishes them through school and community RAD Clubs where rangatahi learn technical skills, and gifts the refurbished devices free of charge to individuals, families, and community groups across Aotearoa New Zealand to bridge the digital divide. The organisation also runs training programmes through RAD Clubs that allow young people to earn STEM skills (including NCEA-aligned outcomes), and offers monetary donation channels to fund operations.
Product overview
Recycle A Device (RAD) is a single integrated not-for-profit programme consisting of four interconnected offerings: the core RAD Programme (laptop collection, refurbishment, and gifting), RAD Club (school/community training in laptop refurbishment), the Laptop Donation Programme, and the Money Donation Programme. The RAD Club trains rangatahi in tech skills while refurbishing devices that are then gifted to communities, creating a cyclical model of digital equity, STEM education, and environmental sustainability.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Recycle A Device (RAD) Programme A not-for-profit laptop refurbishment and donation programme that collects used laptops (less than 10 years old with chargers), trains rangatahi (young people) in tech skills through RAD Clubs, and gifts refurbished devices to communities in need to bridge the digital divide.
- RAD Club School and community-based clubs where rangatahi learn to diagnose and refurbish laptops, gaining STEM skills and contributing to their local communities. Schools keep half of refurbished devices for their own community while RAD helps distribute the rest nationally.
- Laptop Donation Programme Accepts donated laptops (less than ten years old with chargers) from individuals and organisations, providing data-secure processing (via partner Entelar's BlackBelt wipe) and refurbishment through trained rangatahi.
- Money Donation Programme Accepts monetary donations to support RAD's operations, laptop refurbishment costs, and STEM education programmes. Donations can be made through One Percent Collective or directly to RAD.
Quantifiable outcome
- Cost per refurbished laptop: $186 vs $375+ for new Chromebook
- +3 more outcomes
Companies that use Recycle A Device
Customer profileNamed customers6 records
Segments4 records
Ideal customer profiles4 records
Recycle A Device technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Recycle A Device partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
28 partnerships are on record, tiered core, flagship and minor.
- Digital Future AotearoacoreParent charity and founding partner of RAD. Digital Future Aotearoa (DFA) established RAD as a programme and provides overall governance, strategic direction, and administrative support. RAD operates as a programme under the DFA umbrella.
- Spark FoundationcoreFounding partner providing funding and support. Spark Foundation shares RAD's vision for digital equity and sustainability, contributing resources to help scale the programme nationwide.
- Remojo TechcoreFounded by original Aotea College students Owyn and Hadi who started the laptop refurbishment initiative. Remojo Tech provides technical training to schools and community groups, and plays operational and governance roles in RAD.
- The Southern InitiativecoreFounding partner supporting RAD's kaupapa. The Southern Initiative focuses on social and economic development in South Auckland and supports RAD's expansion and community engagement efforts.
- KiwibankflagshipMajor corporate donor and partner. Kiwibank donates retired laptops from their refresh programme and shares RAD's values of repurposing and upskilling rangatahi. Has donated 658 laptops, engaging 92 rangatahi at 9 schools and community groups.
- Foodstuffs North IslandflagshipCorporate partner donating laptops from their distribution centres. The 100% NZ-owned co-operative behind New World, PAK'nSAVE and Four Square has donated 224 laptops (209 refurbished), engaging 98 rangatahi at 7 schools.
- New Zealand Trade and Enterprise (NZTE)flagshipGovernment agency and early donor of devices. NZTE provides laptop donations and networking support, donating 326 laptops and engaging 75 akonga at 5 schools and kura.
- Sustainability TrustflagshipCommunity partner in Wellington accepting device donations. Has donated 321 laptops over 3 years, with 14 school and community clubs learning refurbishment skills while diverting e-waste.
- ChoruscoreTelecommunications infrastructure company supporting RAD's kaupapa. Chorus shares RAD's commitment to closing the digital divide and reducing environmental impact through laptop refurbishment.
- EntelarcoreIT asset management partner performing enterprise-grade data sanitisation using BlackBelt wipe technology. Ensures all donated devices are securely wiped before refurbishment and distribution.
- One Percent CollectivecoreFunding partner enabling individual donors to support RAD through recurring micro-donations. Allows Kiwis to donate small amounts regularly to trusted charities including Digital Future Aotearoa/RAD.
- TranspowerminorCorporate supporter of RAD's mission. Transpower supports digital equity initiatives that help bridge the digital divide in New Zealand communities.
- AWS (Amazon Web Services)minorCloud infrastructure provider supporting RAD's digital operations and technology infrastructure needs.
- Todd CorporationminorCorporate supporter contributing to RAD's funding and resource needs for programme expansion.
- AureconminorEngineering and infrastructure consultancy supporting RAD's kaupapa and digital equity mission.
- EchoTechminorTechnology company supporting RAD's sustainability and e-waste diversion efforts in Auckland and Wellington regions.
- Ministry for Pacific PeoplesminorGovernment ministry supporting RAD's work with Pacific communities experiencing digital inequity.
- Ministry of EducationminorGovernment ministry supporting RAD's educational programmes and school-based RAD Clubs.
- Christchurch City CouncilminorLocal government supporter providing funding and resources for RAD's operations in Christchurch.
- Auckland CouncilminorLocal government supporter funding RAD's activities and community engagement in Auckland region.
- Department of Internal AffairsminorGovernment department supporting RAD's community and digital equity initiatives.
- Christchurch NZminorRegional economic development agency supporting RAD's work in the Christchurch area.
- Tagata Moana TrustminorCommunity organisation partnered with DFA/RAD to support digital equity initiatives for Pacific communities.
- DECA (Digital Equity Coalition Aotearoa)minorCoalition focused on digital equity in Aotearoa. RAD's General Manager Kris Dempster-Rivett serves as an active Steward of DECA.
- TechMateminorTechnology organisation supporting RAD's community digital equity programmes and initiatives.
- Tonui CollabminorCollaborative partner supporting RAD's initiatives and community engagement efforts.
- TUANZminorTelecommunications Users Association of NZ supporting RAD's digital equity and connectivity mission.
- InternetNZminorInternet governance organisation providing funding support to RAD's digital equity initiatives.
Scale indicators10 records
Recent moves8 records
Expansion highlights5 records
Recycle A Device competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Human I-T: US non-profit that collects used computers, refurbishes them, and distributes them to underserved communities to bridge the digital divide. Operates a directly comparable refurbishment-and-gifting model with corporate donor pipelines and digital-skills training.
- Interconnection: Seattle-based non-profit that refurbishes donated computers and matches them to non-profits and low-income individuals. Operates the same donor-to-recipient refurbishment pipeline as RAD.
- Camara Education: Irish social enterprise that refurbishes donated computers and ships them to schools in developing regions, with embedded digital-literacy training. Directly comparable technology refurbishment + education mission.
- Close the Gap: International non-profit that collects second-hand computers, refurbishes them with trained technicians, and distributes them to digital inclusion programmes globally. Same circular-economy-plus-digital-equity thesis as RAD.
- The Restart Project: London-based charity running community-led electronics repair events and advocating for longer device lifecycles. Comparable community-led, skills-building approach to e-waste reduction, though more focused on repair than refurbishment-and-gifting.
- Computer Aid International: UK-registered charity that refurbishes donated computers and ships them to education and community projects in developing countries. Closely analogous to RAD's laptop refurbishment, corporate-donor sourcing, and not-for-profit gifting model.
Broad incumbents
- TechSoup Global: Global non-profit that facilitates technology donations and capacity-building for the civil-society sector. Operates at much larger scale and broader scope than RAD, but serves overlapping mission of channelling corporate tech to community organisations.
Regional players
- Computers in Homes (20/20 Trust): NZ programme providing refurbished computers, internet, and training to low-income families. The closest NZ-side peer targeting the same digital-divide population through device access and skills.
- 2020 Trust (UK): NZ digital equity organisation supporting digital inclusion, although more focused on connectivity and skills than device refurbishment. Most directly comparable NZ-based peer addressing the same digital divide.
Others
- Digital Future Aotearoa (parent charity): RAD's parent charity, focused on digital equity programmes for Aotearoa. Not a direct competitor but governs, funds, and provides the operational backbone under which RAD operates.
Market position
Strengths4 records
Weaknesses2 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks5 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
Recycle A Device social profiles
Digital presenceRecycle A Device financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Recycle A Device leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles4 records
Recycle A Device funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Recycle A Device M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Recycle A Device
What does Recycle A Device do?
Recycle A Device (RAD) is a not-for-profit initiative that collects donated laptops (less than 10 years old with chargers) from individuals and organisations, refurbishes them through school and community RAD Clubs where rangatahi learn technical skills, and gifts the refurbished devices free of charge to individuals, families, and community groups across Aotearoa New Zealand to bridge the digital divide. The organisation also runs training programmes through RAD Clubs that allow young people to earn STEM skills (including NCEA-aligned outcomes), and offers monetary donation channels to fund operations.
Is Recycle A Device a public or private company?
Recycle A Device is a private company. It is classified as nonprofit foundation owned and is currently operating.
When was Recycle A Device founded?
Recycle A Device was founded in 2020. It employs 1 to 10 people.
Where is Recycle A Device based?
Recycle A Device is headquartered in Snells Beach, New Zealand, in the Oceania region.
How does Recycle A Device make money?
One revenue line is on record: donations and Grants.
Who are Recycle A Device's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Human I-T, Interconnection, Camara Education, Close the Gap, The Restart Project and Computer Aid International. TechSoup Global is listed as a broad incumbent. Regional players are Computers in Homes (20/20 Trust) and 2020 Trust (UK). Digital Future Aotearoa (parent charity) is listed as an others.
Does Recycle A Device have an API?
No public API is recorded for Recycle A Device.
What industry is Recycle A Device in?
Recycle A Device's product category is Digital Inclusion and E-waste Refurbishment Services. Its primary akta.pro industry code is BPALAIAD, Electronics Refurbishment, Repair & Reuse (Remarketing/Resale), with a secondary code of IMAIAFAH, E-Waste (WEEE) Collection, Refurbishment & Recycling. Its NAICS code is 562 and its SIC code is 7600.