Circular Economy Thinking: How reWerk Is Building Sustainable Tech Access

The “digital divide” isn’t just a buzzword — it’s a real, meaningful gap between those with reliable access to technology and the internet, and those without. As our world becomes more digitized, this divide only widens the opportunity gap – hitting students, returning citizens, and communities of color the hardest. But what if the solution is not only within reach, but also good for the planet? Enter the circular economy, a smarter, greener way to close the digital divide — and reWerk is putting it into action.

What is the Circular Economy? 

At its core, the circular economy is about breaking away from the “take-make-waste” model. Instead, it asks us to reuse, refurbish, and redistribute resources, extending their life and value. This is especially powerful in the tech world, where devices are often replaced long before they’re obsolete. The result? Warehouses full of perfectly good laptops, monitors, and office furniture gathering dust — or worse, heading to landfill.

Tech Waste Meets Tech Need 

Here’s the irony: while millions of children and families in the U.S. lack the devices needed for school, work, or job searching, countless organizations have excess tech just sitting around. The COVID-19 pandemic exposed this divide even more, with up to 16 million K–12 students lacking adequate devices or internet access for remote learning – and students of color and low-income communities being hit the hardest.

reWerk: Circular Solutions in Action 

reWerk was founded in 2020, right in the thick of this crisis, to build a bridge between corporate surplus and community need. The model is simple but transformative. Corporations donate their unused, high-quality tech and office equipment. reWerk then inspects, refurbishes, and redistributes this tech to schools, nonprofits, and community organizations serving those on the wrong side of the digital divide.

Since its start, reWerk has facilitated thousands of donations: laptops, monitors, gaming equipment, even furniture, powering up learning labs and tech centers across the country. Take the example of Augustus F. Hawkins High School, where we facilitated a tech donation from Activision Blizzard to equip learning spaces for students.

Or look at the SoLa Impact Summer Tech and Entrepreneurship Center in South LA: with our donated desks and tech, students can experience hands-on STEM and media projects – from animation, game development, web design, and more — a clear, tangible step towards closing the opportunity gap.

We even worked with the Step Forward Foundation to donate furniture so they can support underserved and underrepresented communities with pro bono legal services.

A Win-Win for Communities and the Planet 

This circular approach doesn’t just keep tech and valuable materials out of landfills; it gives it a second life where it matters most. Corporate donors cut down on waste, get tax benefits, and make a real social impact. Communities get the resources they need to thrive in a digital world. The environment wins, too, as less waste piles up.

At reWerk, we believe that talent is equally distributed, but opportunities are not. Our job is to help balance those scales, and do it sustainably. No one should miss out just because they lack a device or a desk. With a circular economy mindset, closing the digital divide can be a win-win for everyone.

Let’s keep tech in use and opportunity in reach. To learn more or get involved, visit rewerk.org.