IT recycling firm AMI has signed a three-year deal with Camara Education that will see the company collect, process and refurbish equipment for Camara.
The educational organisation, which recycles old technology to contribute to the education of disadvantaged students around the world, is expecting to increase its supply of computers, which is projected to be in excess of 40,000 over the next three years.
While Camara will continue to deal with donors, AMI will refurbish the equipment for schoolchildren in Ireland and Africa, and recycle or resell any equipment that is not suitable for use in education.
The company expects to generate €3 million during the three-year period from the sale of equipment, which will be used to support Camara’s activities.
“Computers improve education, and education is the best way to improve the lives of students,” said Jean Cox-Kearns, chief executive of Camara Education. “The partnership will enable us to increase the number of computers we can get to classrooms in Africa and Ireland. This is so important for schools and youth centres, as they can offer not just a better education, but provide life-changing opportunities and skills to the millions of students for whom the advantages of technology are often out of reach.”
Computer skills
The charity, which is aiming to reach five million students by next year, has installed more than 106,000 computers in schools and youth centres and trained more than 47,000 teachers since it was established. Among the companies that donate equipment to Camara are ESB, Dell and Symantec, and hardware must be processed with GDPR-compliant data security standards.
“Computer skills are so important for all children, no matter where they are or what their background is, as they can open doors of opportunity,” said Philip McMichael, chief executive of AMI.
“As the market leader in the secure disposal and reuse of IT equipment, data destruction and WEEE recycling, AMI is the ideal partner for Camara Education to provide a GDPR-compliant service to their donors. This is a mutually beneficial deal that will support AMI’s ongoing growth plans for the business, enabling us to grow our operation in Dublin and process 25 per cent more IT assets equipment in the next 12 months.”
