My AT&T colleagues have been fanning out across the country to help young people start the school year off right. 

Today in Alexandria, our local team, led by Betsy Francis, AT&T’s Vice President and General Manager for the Mid-Atlantic region, teamed up with Compudopt to hand out 100 refurbished laptops to area students and families who need access to connected devices. The distribution event was held at our AT&T retail store in Potomac Yards – one of 6 stores in the DMV and among 200 nationwide – that is part of our  Retail E-waste Campaign, which turns customer participation in electronics recycling into tangible community impact. 

Customers can recycle eligible electronics at participating AT&T retail locations and donate trade-in value online to help support refurbished laptop distributions in communities nationwide. For every 10 pounds of eligible e-waste collected, AT&T provides one laptop to help expand digital access in the communities it serves while giving customers more ways to participate in a campaign that connects environmental responsibility with community impact.

And we’re having an impact.

Customers have already recycled more than 10,000 pounds of eligible electronics and donated over $1 million in trade-in value through the campaign, helping keep electronics out of landfills while supporting access to technology for students and families. 

Betsy remarked that the initiative “is a powerful reminder that when we come together, even small actions can make a meaningful difference in our communities. Thanks to our customers, recycled devices and donated trade-in value are helping put laptops into the hands of students and families, giving them essential tools to learn, grow and stay connected.”

We’ve worked with Compudopt on this initiative in Virginia and nationwide.  

“Sustainability is deeply embedded in Compudopt’s mission and is one of the ways we create lasting impact in the communities we serve,” said Allison Katarski, Chief Executive Officer, Compudopt. “We’re proud to collaborate with AT&T in advancing awareness of responsible e-waste recycling, while creating greener communities and brighter futures for all.”

This effort is part of AT&T’s broader commitment to help address the digital divide through internet accessibility, affordability and safe adoption. AT&T has committed $5 billion to help 25 million people get and stay connected to high-speed internet by 2030. In 2026, we plan to distribute 30,000 laptops nationwide.

Thanks to Betsy and her team, and our other colleagues in the area, for helping kids and families in the Alexandria area start the new school year with laptops that will connect them to greater possibility.

Learn more at https://sustainability.att.com/cr/environment/ewaste.