New Galway City Council scheme reduces waste and funds Alzheimer’s charity
By Oonagh Cassidy
Galway City Council’s ICT and Digital team has donated €5,445 to Western Alzheimer’s Association after spearheading the “reBoot – Tech Buy-Back Scheme.”
The cheque was presented this week, marking a successful initiative that combines a more circular economy with digital literacy and inclusion. It is believed to be the first public-sector programme of its kind in Ireland.
Through the reBoot – Tech Buy-Back Scheme, out-of-warranty or unsuitable IT equipment is offered to staff for a nominal fee, with all proceeds going to the Western Alzheimer’s Association.
This initiative emerged after the Council transitioned to an increasingly mobile workforce post-Covid, replacing desktop computers with laptops. According to Elaine Naughton, Head of IT, the shift cut costs, simplified device management and reduced the organisation’s cybersecurity “attack landscape” by halving the number of devices in circulation.
The transition left the ICT team with about 350 monitors, desktops, and laptops in need of recycling.
Traditionally, for data security, ICT departments would hire a specialist company to shred data storage components of devices and then dispose of them. However, advances in encryption allowed the team to fully wipe devices, making them safe for reuse.
“It’s frustrating for ICT departments to dispose of perfectly functional equipment,” Naughton said. “While unsuitable for office use, it’s ideal for home or school environments and supports digital literacy in Galway City.”
Under the reBoot scheme, many staff purchased refurbished devices, and 70 remaining PCs were donated to local schools in partnership with the Council’s Environmental Education Officer.
“These devices have been transformative for our school, enabling us to significantly upgrade our ICT infrastructure by removing outdated equipment; providing more reliable access to digital resources for both staff and students,” said Gareth Callan, Deputy President at Coláiste Éinde.
Mícheál Ó Marcacháin of Coláiste na Coiribe also expressed gratitude, noting that the machines are used daily and help students develop essential digital skills.
Overall, the programme has resulted in an 80% reduction in serviceable equipment being discarded, highlighting the environmental and social value of reuse-focused tech management.
The ICT team selected the Western Alzheimer’s Association as the beneficiary, with several staff members having family connections to dementia care.
Accepting the donation, Western Alzheimer’s Association CEO Pat Holmes thanked the Council for its support, saying the funds would help provide essential care for people living with dementia, enabling them to “lead meaningful lives in their own homes and communities.”
The reBoot – Tech Buy-Back Scheme is now being viewed as a model for how public-sector innovation can promote sustainability and digital inclusion nationally.
