In January 2025, AT&T announced on social media that, in partnership with Human-I-T, it would provide refurbished devices to assist those affected by the Los Angeles fires.
Also in January, the Detroit Department of Innovation and Technology collaborated with Human-I-T, the City of Detroit, and Detroit Public Libraries to empower residents with equitable access to digital literacy skills training and free tech support.
Human-I-T collaborates with major corporations, including Disney Tech Studios, AT&T, Visa, Comcast, Accenture, and General Motors, to reclaim devices deemed worthless by industry standards.
Earlier this year, Human-I-T was invited to the World Economic Forum in Davos, where their pioneering work was recognized.
With over 53 million metric tons of e-waste generated globally each year—of which only 17.4% is recycled correctly—the urgency of their mission was underscored.
During the forum, Human-I-T expressed pride in standing alongside SustainableIT.org and other leaders, discussing AI equity and announcing their goal to redistribute 100,000 laptops from companies worldwide by 2028.
This collaborative effort ensures that everyone can participate in our digital future.
According to the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), approximately 430 million tons of plastic are produced annually. Despite decades of efforts to recycle plastic, only 9% of global plastic waste is currently recycled.
The UNDP defines recycling as the process of converting used plastic materials into new, usable products. Currently, around 70% of plastic waste ends up in landfills or the natural environment.
Human-I-T’s mission is to transform discarded technology into a lifeline for those in need.
In 2012, Gabe Middleton and James Jack discovered an overlooked opportunity. At a time when companies were discarding thousands of pounds of usable technology, Middleton and Jack, both in their early 20s and working at Best Buy, had a radical idea: What if the solution to two pressing global issues—e-waste and digital inequality—was right in front of them?
With just $800, a borrowed truck, and their innovative concept, they launched Human-I-T, a nonprofit social enterprise that has since grown into a national force.
Today, Human-I-T employs over 200 people across California, Detroit, New York, and Washington, D.C., with a focus on giving technology a second life.
They repair and refurbish devices before distributing them to low-income families, students, and seniors who have long been excluded from the digital world.
By the end of 2025, Human-I-T aims to divert over 1 million pounds of e-waste from landfills.
The real impact of Human-I-T’s work is evident in the positive stories of its recipients. For instance, a single mother in Los Angeles is working remotely for the first time, and a high school student in Detroit is applying to college using a laptop she never thought she’d own. Seniors are reconnecting with family through video calls.
Each device repurposed by Human-I-T is not just recycled; it becomes a passport to participation in today’s digital world.
Human-I-T’s approach is both philanthropic and sustainable, representing a circular business model. The organization sells excess tech donations through its low-cost tech store, generating over $7 million in annual revenue.
Every dollar earned is reinvested in digital inclusion programs, helping to prevent e-waste from being sent to landfills.<.p>
Middleton, who grew up in East Los Angeles, witnessed firsthand how the digital divide can hinder potential. Jack, a systems strategist and problem solver, built the operational framework necessary to scale their solution nationwide.
Together, they strive to ensure that no one is left behind in the digital divide.
💙 Tomorrow 💙 @fireaidla is live from @intuitdome & @thekiaforum starting at 7pm PT / 9pm CT / 10pm ET. Here’s how to donate, stream & how those impacted by the LA fires can receive a FREE device to help get you reconnected, in partnership with @human_i_t. More info at… pic.twitter.com/odrUdXjPxr
— AT&T (@ATT) January 30, 2025
Exciting news for East Toledo families! 250 refurbished laptops have been donated to the East Toledo Family Center thanks to @ATT & @Human_I_T! These devices will empower families by closing the digital divide and expanding educational opportunities! https://t.co/tmT07HPNpm
— Rep. Marcy Kaptur (@RepMarcyKaptur) September 22, 2024
The bots don't miss (and not just because they're trained to not miss).
It's because they know – like we've been saying for more than a decade – that ensuring people have access to technology is the key to helping them unlock their full potential. #digitalequity #ai #tech pic.twitter.com/cqJ2LHCA9k
— Human-I-T (@human_i_t) October 26, 2023
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