SK Tes and Close the Gap Partners to Bridge the Global Digital Divide

SK Tes, the global leader in sustainable technology lifecycle services, is pleased to announce its ongoing partnership with Close the Gap, an international social enterprise that aims to bridge the digital divide by offering high-quality, refurbished, pre-owned computer devices donated by Global 2000 companies.

Close the Gap collects decommissioned computers from companies and arranges for other organizations to sanitize and refurbish them according to their end-users’ requirements. The computers are used to support educational, medical, entrepreneurial, and social projects in emerging and developing countries. Since its inception in 2004, Close the Gap has supported over 6,000 projects in more than 50 countries, donating over 1 million computers to reach over 3 million people.

This includes projects like the Pebbles Project in South Africa, which received 20 desktops for students to do research for school projects. The Grootbos Foundation received 46 computers for use in developing sustainable livelihoods through ecotourism, enterprise development, sports development, and education in the Cape Floral Kingdom. There is an ongoing need for projects like this, including Computers for Education in Malawi, where Close the Gap provided 100 computers to help ensure schools and students gain access to quality IT devices.

SK Tes processes millions of laptops, desktops, tablets, and mobile devices annually after collecting them from partner organizations. Their certified process records, securely sanitizes, and grades the devices before refurbishing them for reuse in social and educational projects identified by Close the Gap. This partnership provides a local presence in many countries and helps better connect those that need it most.

Gary Steele, former SK Tes CEO, said, “Extending the lifespan of repurposed technology devices is foundational to SK Tes and our mission to securely, safely, and sustainably transform and re-purpose 1 billion kg of assets by 2030. The partnership with Close the Gap represents an extension of that foundation and furthers our commitment to global corporate social responsibility.” He added, “We are proud to participate in a program that makes quality refurbished IT assets available to people who otherwise would not have access. The reuse of IT assets for education stimulates local development and contributes to a more sustainable, circular economy.”

Olivier Vanden Eynde, founder of Close the Gap, said, “By working towards making ICT assets 100% circular, we aim to bridge the digital divide and provide equal access to information and communication technology so that, regardless of your location, you can reach your full potential and create a prosperous sustainable future for all. This new partnership with SK Tes accelerates the monitoring of our refurbishment process, transport, export/import process, distribution, installation and maintenance, and local collection and recycling.”