A NEW social enterprise founded by a former Big Issue vendor has come to Bolton which aims to "bridge the digital divide" in the borough.

RecycleIT works by collecting unwanted computers and IT equipment from around Greater Manchester and processes them at their workshop in Commerce House, Bolton.

The computers are then made available at affordable prices to those most in need, while anything not salvageable is then used for art projects.

Founder John Hastings said: "I would urge people to think about recycling their old equipment with us.

"Now more than ever, we need to think about how to reuse our old equipment while also helping the most vulnerable and to think about how we can really bridge that digital divide."

The Bolton News:

RecycleIT collects old computers and IT equipment from businesses around Bolton

The enterprise is now able to collect old IT equipment from businesses and is also accepting donations from people in the community, with Mr Hastings hoping to forge strong connections with people and organisations across Bolton.

Already RecycleIT has worked with groups like Starts with You, Bruntwood, Henshaws, Sure Store, Bakerfish, North West Design Studios, Bubble Enterprises, Breaking Barriers, Procure Plus, and Your FLOCK.

Starts With You managing director Hayley Hulme said: "Working with businesses from and for the community in Bolton and who are committed to making a positive change is really important to us".

She added: "We are delighted to have found Recycle-IT to make sure our old equipment can be responsibly recycled in the communities that need it.

"We know our data is safely and professionally removed before it’s reused in the community."

The Bolton News:

RecycleIT puts recovered computers to practical use

Since starting trade in October 2021, RecycleIT has logged over 340 items, from laptops, base units and flat screens to mobile phones, tablets and routers.

This means the organisation has successfully diverted 1,656kg of equipment away from toxic waste sites and instead was able to put it to more useful purposes.

Mr Hastings now has plans to expand the enterprise further with a possible partnership with Bolton's environmentally conscious Greenworks project, a venture carried out by Bolton at Home and Urban Outreach which aims to teach people the skills they need to thrive in the green technology sector.