A second life for 2,700 digital devices from Monaco’s schools

l'Association Green Monaco participe au recyclage du matériel numérique ©Direction de la Communication du Gouvernement Princier - Manuel Vitali

The Digital Transition Office and the Department of Education, Youth and Sport have joined forces to give a second life to students’ digital equipment.

Since 2020, students in Monaco’s public lower- and upper-secondary schools have benefited from loaned laptops designed to facilitate learning and strengthen digital skills. This initiative forms part of the broader digital transition in education.

As part of the regular renewal cycle of the Principality’s school IT equipment, these devices have recently been replaced.
Mindful of reducing the environmental footprint of digital technology, the Prince’s Government has launched a scheme to reuse previously deployed equipment, extending its lifespan and maximising its usefulness.

This year, more than 2,700 devices — including computers, tablets, keyboards and accessories — are being channelled into this “second life” programme.

The added value of this initiative is twofold:
- Environmental, by extending the lifespan of devices, thereby reducing greenhouse gas emissions and the extraction of natural resources.
- Social, through the donation of refurbished equipment to associations and through the reintegration programme of a partner organisation.

The initiative involves the local non-profit network and relies on the following partners:
- Green Monaco, which checks the condition of each device
- AMAPEI, which assists with inventory management
- Actif Azur, responsible for data erasure
- and Monaco Green Box, which provides reusable containers to ensure zero-waste logistics.

Refurbishing these devices will save at least 150 tonnes of greenhouse gas emissions — equivalent to 940,600 kilometres driven by car, or 495 round trips between Monaco and Paris.

The second-life programme will also benefit local associations through the donation of refurbished equipment to:
- AMADE, committed to child protection,
- Réseau Galice 06, which supports people in precarious situations in accessing housing and employment
- and Banque du Numérique 06, which promotes digital inclusion.

This initiative is intended to continue over time, contributing to a more responsible approach to digital technology and promoting digital inclusivity.