A Socially-Conscious Way to Recycle Your Phone - The Reconnect Project

The Reconnect Project is closing Australia’s digital divide and training a new generation of repairers.

National mobile device recycling scheme MobileMuster reported that there were 23 million unused mobile phones sitting in drawers, cupboards and garages. When faced with end-of-use decisions for mobile phones, consumers could choose between handing the phone to family or friends, sending to MobileMuster for destruction and materials recovery, or use a trade-in or buy-back service to regain some of the device’s value.

Consumers were increasingly reliant on their devices for internet or app-based activities. The higher initial purchase cost for a mobile phone was leading to longer device ownership, with consumers turning over their phones every 40 months (up from average of 30 months in 2017). As a result, the independent mobile device repair industry was rapidly growing as consumers sought cost-effective services to maintain their personal devices. For individuals wanting to work in or establish their own small business providing mobile device repairs, there was nowhere to gain hands-on skills or be trained under a formally recognised training program.

The Reconnect Project put these two concepts together: giving people an alternative to e-waste for their mobile devices and providing training and skills to individuals in mobile device repair. The output would be refurbished devices distributed to people in disadvantaged situations.

Launched in September 2019 at a Pitch for Good event supported by StartSomeGood and the City of Parramatta, The Reconnect Project began as a crowdfunding campaign with the tagline “Giving old phones and devices a new life” and raised $5,425. In February 2020, The Reconnect Project commenced operation in a small, shared space, with the aim to provide retail repair services for generating revenue required to purchase spare parts for repairing donated mobile phones. Their first customer was none other than TV star Costa Georgiadis. Then Covid-19 hit Australia and the shared workspace closed. Word spread amongst the social service network of Sydney’s south and by May, The Reconnect Project had received requests for 400 mobile devices so that case workers could maintain contact with their most vulnerable clients during lockdown. Throughout 2020, The Reconnect Project survived with grant funding from City of Sydney and City of Parramatta. In December 2020, The Reconnect Project took out a lease on a small retail shopfront in Penshurst. Australia’s first charity-run mobile device retail repair shop opened to the public in February 2021.

Thanks to The Reconnect Project 2,277 individuals now have the technology to maintain contact with family, engage in online education, connect with friends and undertake essential activities such as online banking and video call health appointments. The Reconnect Project now employs 8 permanent staff and is developing Australia’s first accredited mobile device repair training program, specially designed for neurodivergent young adults who seek a career in repairs.

The Reconnect Project was the winner of the Banksia Foundation's 2024 Circular Economy Award, sponsored by MCEC.

Website: thereconnectproject.com.au