Turning Old Devices into New Possibilities
Addressing the digital divide
Turning Old Devices into New Possibilities
April 22, 2026
April 22, 2026
Key insights
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Responsible recycling doesn’t just benefit the environment; it can also help keep communities connected.
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Through our work with Compudopt, a longtime nonprofit collaborator, AT&T ensures that e‑waste collection helps create meaningful community impact. For every 10 pounds of e‑waste collected through this program, AT&T donates one refurbished laptop to a family in need across the local community.
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In our first year, we collected more than 10,000 pounds of e‑waste, resulting in 1,000 laptops donated to families.
Most of us have old devices tucked away at home — a phone in a drawer, a tablet in a closet, a device we no longer use but aren’t quite ready to part with. In fact, consumers hold onto an average of three old devices, most often cellphones. These devices may feel harmless sitting unused, but collectively, they point to a growing challenge — and an opportunity — when it comes to electronic waste (e-waste) and what to do with it.
Americans generate millions of tons of e‑waste each year, yet recycling rates remain low. While most people say they want to recycle their old devices — and 80% say they’re likely to use e‑waste recycling programs in the future, according to Morning Consult — many still aren’t sure where to start. Among the 64% of consumers who haven’t used an e‑waste program, the top reasons include not knowing where to go and concerns about data security.
At AT&T, we’re working to help address those barriers by making e‑waste recycling easier, more secure, and more connected to community impact.
From e‑waste to opportunity
Responsible recycling doesn’t just benefit the environment; it can also help keep communities connected.
Through our work with Compudopt, a longtime nonprofit collaborator, AT&T ensures that e‑waste collection helps create meaningful community impact. For every 10 pounds of e‑waste collected through this program, AT&T donates one refurbished laptop to a family in need across the local community.
For students completing homework, job seekers applying online, or families staying connected to essential services, access to a reliable computer can make a meaningful difference. We’ve seen this impact firsthand. In our first year, we collected more than 10,000 pounds of e‑waste, resulting in 1,000 laptops donated to families. These outcomes show how everyday actions — like recycling an old device — can add up to real environmental and community benefits.
A practical path forward
Sustainability doesn’t have to be complicated. Often, it’s about practical solutions that fit into daily life. By offering a simple, secure way to recycle old phones and tablets at AT&T retail stores, we’re working to remove friction and help people turn good intentions into action.
This effort also reflects our broader commitment. AT&T has pledged $5 billion by 2030 to help bridge the digital divide and support 25 million people with access to affordable, high‑speed internet, devices, and digital resources. Keeping usable technology in circulation — and out of landfills — is one way we’re working toward that goal while reducing environmental impact.
I encourage everyone to take a fresh look at the devices they no longer use. Visit one of our 200+ AT&T retail locations to drop off your old phones and tablets — it’s that simple. Recycling e‑waste responsibly may feel like a small step, but when taken together, those steps can help protect our planet and open doors for families and communities across the country.
Because when we connect environmental responsibility with community impact, old devices can help create new possibilities — today and in the years ahead.
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