2025 is the year of refurbished tech

Refurbished tech equipment is a cost-effective way for charities to ensure they are using the latest kit for their organisation and service delivery.

 

This is particularly the case in 2025, which is another challenging year for charities as they look to tackle rising costs and demand for support alongside cuts in public donations and income from government and local authority grants and contracts.

 

According to a survey carried out by investment firm Rathbones at the end of 2025, the financial health at one in eight charities has “deteriorated dramatically” over the last two years.

 

From laptop and desktop computers to printers, tablets and smartphones there is plenty of refurbished technology available to help charities save money.

 

 

Repair and recycle

 

Refurbished technology is often second-hand items that have been repaired or had faulty parts removed and replaced. Sometimes they are brand new but had a fault so had to be returned to the manufacturer. In some cases, they have no fault at all but can’t be sold new as the packaging may have been damaged or they have been in a warehouse or a shop for too long and have been replaced by a new model by the manufacturer. 

 

This means that refurbished technology really can be as good as new, with sellers offering a warranty and able to accept returns. Crucially for charities a key benefit of using refurbished technology is to ensure technology doesn’t end up on landfill sites and is instead recycled. With more charities keen to show environmental credentials in annual reports, refurbished tech provides a chance to help slash the amount of electronic waste globally.

 

 

Getting hold of refurbished technology

 

Those offering refurbished technology can range from well-known manufacturers to charitable organisations who specialise in helping others in the sector to cut costs.

 

Suppliers of refurbished technology include Computers 4 Charity, which has been providing good causes with refurbished computers since 1986. PCs and laptops that are donated to the charity are refurbished securely and passed on. Donations made in 2025 include refurbished equipment to homelessness charity Light Project Peterborough and the Salvation Army.

 

The Fixy Project is a Somerset based initiative to repair, recycle, and reuse electrical goods. It runs a promotional van that visits locations in Somerset to support repair groups. It works with the charity Donate IT, a charity that refurbishes tech that can be distributed to good causes and helps to reduce digital poverty in the area. Smart tech drop off points are run in locations across the county to pick up equipment. This includes outside blocks of flats as many people living there are unable to leave their equipment by the roadside to pick up. 

 

Computer Aid is a London-based charity that distributes refurbished computer equipment to schools, education facilities, and communities “where tech resources are desperately needed”. Donors of equipment are provided with reports and impact statements with more information about how their donation has helped.

 

Lahm Recycle repairs, refurbishes, and recycles computer equipment. Among refurbished products stocked by this Lanarkshire-based service are those by Apple, HP, Dell, and Toshiba. All PCs can be created and supplied to meet specific needs, including upgrading hard drives, memory, and operating systems. The company also runs training sessions on digital skills and an office clearance service.

 

Dell Outlet is the refurbished product arm of computer firm Dell Technologies. It offers deals of refurbished laptops, desktops, and workstations. As an example of its offers, in early 2025 Dell was offering up to 14% off the value of refurbished laptops.

 

Apple Store’s refurbished products include a one-year warranty and can be brought immediately or over the course of three years. Products include MacBook Pro laptops, iPhones, and iPads. This is a great way to get save hundreds of pounds in some cases on Apple products.

 

Amazon Renewed  and Amazon Resale are two outlets run through online retail giant Amazon to offer refurbished stock, including products from Lenovo, Apple, HP, and Dell. Also available are deals on refurbished cameras, printers, photocopiers, audio equipment, and Amazon devices such as its tablets and smart speakers.

 

Turing Trust is set up in the name of mathematician and father of the modern computer Alan Turing and includes a service to distribute refurbished IT equipment to schools across the world. It stresses that all donated computers are wiped securely. It can work with good causes supporting schools to develop the refurbished technology to meet individual project’s needs.