Advancing Responsible Consumption and Production Through EcoSpark
Advancing Responsible Consumption and Production Through EcoSpark
At Inspiredu, we’re committed to digital opportunities for all. Along with that commitment, we also help the earth itself through our EcoSpark initiative. This year, as we take our mission further with a focus on five of the United Nations' Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), one goal—responsible consumption and production—aligns with this program.
EcoSpark initiative addresses e-waste
Electronic waste (e-waste) is a growing environmental concern, with millions of devices discarded each year. We directly address this issue by refurbishing and repurposing donated electronic devices through our EcoSpark initiative. This way, technology that might otherwise end up in landfills gets a second life and benefits our program participants.
How does it work? Through EcoSpark, we encourage both businesses and individuals to donate unwanted technology instead of discarding it. These contributions not only help extend the life cycle of these devices but also provide essential digital tools to underserved communities. Even non-functioning devices can often be disassembled and rebuilt by a dedicated team of volunteers. When refurbishment is not possible, we ensure responsible recycling to prevent unnecessary e-waste accumulation in Georgia’s landfills.
A three-pronged approach for maximum impact
We run our Ecospark initiative with three key approaches:
Recycle to Repurpose – Devices donated by local corporations and individuals are refurbished to extend their life and minimize e-waste.
Donate2Educate – Refurbished devices are then transformed into Home Learning Centers and distributed to local families, community-based organizations, and students. In 2024 alone, we served 2,445 families across the state of Georgia in this way. This also ties into our Learning Spark initiative, which provides broader access to technology and training.
Sustainability E-drives – Working with our community partners, scheduled e-drives help us collect unwanted devices to ensure responsible recycling practices for a sustainable, cleaner environment. In 2024, we diverted 224,500 pounds of electronic waste from Georgia landfills.
Corporate support and community collaboration
From hosting e-drives to helping promote the program as a whole, our community and corporate partners make the EcoSpark initiative a success. This year, we’re thrilled to announce our corporate and community partners:
Comcast
Graphic Packaging International
Jackson Healthcare
Rollins, Inc
Verizon
Woodward Academy - North
Their support will enable us to make tech more accessible to underserved populations while helping the planet in 2025 and beyond.
Help promote responsible production and consumption
In 2024 alone, we successfully diverted 224,500 pounds of e-waste from Georgia landfills through EcoSpark. This perfectly aligns with the responsible production and consumption SDG goal for the next five years. But we’re not done yet.
As we prepare to host our first Digital Summit this fall, we remain committed to raising awareness about the intersection of digital opportunity and environmental responsibility. We invite individuals, businesses, and organizations to contribute to our sustainability mission through technology donations, hosting an e-drive, or even volunteering in the refurbishment process. Join us at Inspiredu as we strive to build a more connected and sustainable future.
Interested in learning more? Visit iuatl.org/sustainability.