PayByPhone Wins IPC Special Projects Award for Donate Your Device
We are incredibly proud to share that PayByPhone has won the The International Parking Community (IPC) Special Projects.
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We are incredibly proud to share that PayByPhone has won the The International Parking Community (IPC) Special Projects Award for our Donate Your Device initiative.
This recognition means so much to everyone who has worked to make this project a reality. Congratulations to our team and to all the other winners, we are inspired by the collective commitment to making a positive difference and look forward to continuing this work and helping to create even greater impact in the years ahead.
About Donate Your Device
Launched in February 2024, Donate Your Device is a partnership between PayByPhone he Digital Poverty Alliance and Ealing Council.
The scheme aims to tackle digital poverty by inviting PayByPhone users in the UK to donate unused laptops, tablets, smartphones, and PCs. These devices are refurbished and redistributed to people without digital access. .
The project was created to:
• Help to alleviate digital poverty by providing digital devices for education, employment, healthcare, and everyday digital tasks
• Empower communities, helping residents stay connected and participate in society
• Promote sustainability and circularity by reusing and recycling electronic devices
Our inspiration from this initiative came from seeing, particularly during the pandemic, how lack of digital access can isolate families, restrict opportunities, and widen inequality. With most PayByPhone transactions occurring digitally, we felt we could support efforts to help bridge this divide.
How the Scheme Works
Ealing Council established multiple donation stations across the borough—at libraries, council offices, and local schools—for residents to drop off old devices. PayByPhone supported the campaign with targeted marketing and in-app promotion.
Collected devices were securely wiped, refurbished, and redistributed by the Digital Poverty Alliance through local schools, charities, and community organisations. Devices unsuitable for reuse were stripped for parts or responsibly recycled, with recovered materials, including gold, reused at the Royal Mint.
Results & Impact
Our initial target was 200 donated devices, but the community’s response was extraordinary.
More than 500 devices were donated, and the campaign has been extended due to strong engagement.
Beneficiaries in the Ealing community included:
• Children who lacked devices for homework
• Older residents reconnecting with family online
• Refugees accessing essential services for the first time
Every smartphone and tablet was provided with a free SIM card, and schools received free data to help students get connected immediately.
The scheme not only impacted the community, it also helped reshape public perception of the parking industry by demonstrating how our sector can be a caring, socially responsible partner.
Future Plans
We are committed to expanding Donate Your Device and unlocking its potential nationwide. Our plans include:
• Programme expansion to more councils and regions
• Digital literacy support, delivered in partnership with the Digital Poverty Alliance
• Regular donation drives, with long-term potential to collect over 100,000 devices across our UK client base
We are honoured that the IPC has recognised this work and proud to continue driving forward initiatives that create real, measurable impact in the communities we serve.