An ongoing laptop giveaway is helping AT&T serve the community while pushing the communications giant closer to its 2030 waste-reduction goal.
AT&T is in the midst of a 10-city summer laptop giveaway. The drive is part of an arrangement AT&T has with Compudopt, Human-I-T and Digitunity to get more devices into the hands of people who need them, according to Mylayna Albright, AT&T’s vice president of corporate responsibility.
Through the arrangement, AT&T provides one laptop for every 10 pounds of e-scrap it collects at retail stores in much of the country. AT&T tallies the cumulative value of the devices it collects, Albright said, and then pays Compudopt and its other partners to deliver laptops they’ve collected and refurbished.
The program has expanded from a handful of stores at program launch to more than 200 AT&T stores, Albright said. Anyone can bring in a used phone, tablet or charging cord to donate. Givers can donate the trade-in value of the device to the program as opposed to using it toward a new device. Albright said an additional $1 million has been raised that way.
The company provides collection bins and employee training, and a platform from Colorado-based Recycle Global Exchange connects the company to the logistical infrastructure needed to get devices into the hands of refurbishers or recyclers.
“E-waste is a major issue in the digital economy. Those materials should be rescued and recovered, but they also carry environmental risks,” Albright said. “It’s important to consider the full lifecycle of equipment. Responsible e-waste management extends the value of tech. It also helps support trust with our customers and our communities.”
In addition, collection efforts like this help AT&T reach its sustainability goals. The company reported a 24% reduction of waste sent to landfills in the US in 2025 as compared to 2019; the goal is to reach 30% by the end of 2030.
“It’s a powerful example of how environmental responsibility and digital access can work together to help more people get connected and prepared for the future,” Albright said.
Compudopt Human-I-T and Digitunity handle laptop distribution in cities they service, she said. Laptops are issued based on financial need, with prospective recipients alerted to drives in their areas and sent applications.
Expansion of both the collection and donation efforts are in the works, Albright said. The next goal is to open 1,000 retail donation sites, with long-term objectives looking for nationwide reach.
AT&T has collected more than 10,000 pounds of e-scrap to date through the program. Its 2030 sustainability goals also call for helping 25 million people get connected as part of a $5 billion commitment.
Following are the remaining distribution sites for 2026:
- Aug. 4, AT&T North Arlington, Texas
- Aug. 6, AT&T Northlake, Georgia
- Aug. 11, AT&T White Oak Crossing, North Carolina
- Aug. 13, AT&T Gadsden, Alabama
- Aug. 18, AT&T Trailside, Washington
- Aug. 20, AT&T Potomac Yard, Virginia
