Thousands of public sector devices were discarded last year with nearly 80 per cent ending up in landfill or incineration.
Data obtained via a Freedom of Information request uncovered that out of more than 22,000 phones and laptops no longer in use across public bodies, more than 17,600 were thrown away, with only 3,144 being donated for reuse.
The Digital Poverty Alliance said the findings come amid rising concerns over both digital exclusion and the growing environmental cost of e-waste.
It added that the figures “paint a stark picture of wasted potential and missed opportunities to support digitally excluded households across Wales and raises questions around the public sector’s asset management and sustainability practices”.
Elizabeth Anderson, CEO of the Digital Poverty Alliance, said:
“At a time when millions across the UK remain digitally excluded, it’s deeply troubling that the majority of public sector tech is simply being thrown away. These devices could be life-changing for people who currently can’t afford to get online.
“This isn’t just an environmental issue, but a social justice one. Public bodies must urgently adopt clear, consistent processes for safe reuse and redistribution. With the right policies in place, no usable device should end up in the bin.”
The organisation added that Monmouth County Council donated more than 2,200 devices in a single year, the highest contribution of any organisation surveyed, and Cardiff University donated and redistributed over 1,000 in the same period.
However it said that NHS Wales did not donate or refurbish a single device.
