The Mayor's Big Tech Mop-up

Southborough students and staff engage with the recycling initiative

At Southborough, our commitment to environmental sustainability is unwavering. Our dynamic Eco Team, composed of passionate students, has been leading numerous green initiatives for years. Their dedication has significantly enhanced our school's eco-friendliness, creating a better environment for everyone. We pride ourselves on fostering an eco-conscious community, striving to make a positive impact on our surroundings.

At Southborough High School, our dedication to recycling goes beyond paper, board, plastic, and cans. We cherish our outdoor spaces, and our courtyard garden has become a haven for wildlife, attracting birds, bees, insects, and squirrels. We're also planning to plant new trees to further enhance our green spaces.

Our Eco Team, led by Head of Year and Geography Teacher Mr. Howe, identified a significant recycling opportunity: unwanted tech products such as old mobiles, iPads, and personal computers. The team's research highlighted a growing need within the school community to recycle these items, but concerns about the safety and effectiveness of data security had left many hesitant.

Before the Half Term break, after weeks of meticulous planning, the Eco Team launched this new initiative. Our special VIP guests addressed any security concerns, putting minds at ease. Paul Crossman, Managing Director of the locally based company 'Re-Love Technology,' detailed their comprehensive data wiping process, ensuring absolute data security. He also explained how devices contain crucial, precious metals and minerals that are often sourced at great expense from countries like Ukraine and Africa. By engaging in 'urban mining'—recycling these materials from old devices—we contribute to environmental protection. Valuable metals like gold and silver can be repurposed for the Royal Mint or jewellery companies, while minerals like lithium, tellurium, and manganese are recycled, highlighting the rising costs of new mobile devices.

Another VIP, Councillor Ian Manders, Portfolio Holder for Climate Action and Biodiversity in Kingston, discussed the borough's initiatives to create more green spaces that encourage wildlife. Tolworth Court Farm, for example, will soon host cows and pigs, fostering soil health. Our Eco Team eagerly plans a visit.

The Mayor of Kingston, Councillor Liz Green, also attended the launch, expressing her enthusiasm for the Eco Team's efforts and encouraging them to continue their vital work. The launch was a resounding success, and the tech collection continues to grow.

There's still time for students, parents, and staff to donate their old devices, confident that they will be securely and efficiently processed to benefit our planet. Many thanks to our VIPs for their support and to Mr. Howe and the Eco Team for their ongoing commitment to making Southborough High School a greener, better place to learn.