Scottish Government device queries: FOI release

Information requested

(1). What is done with any SG corporate device that reaches its end of life i.e. when the operating system or security updates are no longer available, or the device no longer meets business needs?

(2). Do any of these devices get used again out with government?

(3). If so are any figures available on how many are used again out with government?

(4). And is any information available on how and where they are used?

Response

The answer to your questions are as follows:

(1). What is done with any SG corporate device that reaches its end of life i.e. when the operating system or security updates are no longer available, or the device no longer meets business needs?

The Scottish Government awarded a contract earlier this year for the disposal and recycling of IT equipment. The contract was granted following the publication of an Invitation to Tender (ITT) on the Public Contracts Scotland website. This contract states that, depending on the condition of equipment, our devices are either securely wiped and resold, securely wiped and then used for spares and repairs, or shredded and disposed of in an environmentally sustainable way.

(2). Do any of these devices get used again out with government?

Yes, laptop and desktop devices that are securely wiped and meet a minimum threshold for technical specifications are resold by our framework partner or donated to approved third-sector organisations.

Mobile phones are not eligible for reuse outside of government at this time.

(3). If so are any figures available on how many are used again out with government?

The table below provides a breakdown of laptops and desktops resold, recycled, or donated since 2020. The Donated column also includes recipient organisations.

All mobile phones returned for disposal are not eligible for reuse, therefore no data is available.

Year	Laptops	Desktops	Resold	Recycled	Donated
2020	1,097	2,638	2,638	118	979 Turing Trust
2021	161	0	161	0	0
2022	1,731	73	1,191	13	250 Edinburgh Remakery 250 Turing Trust 100 HP Hope Scheme
2023	2,705	275	2,934	46	0
2024	1,868	286	1,843	111	200 Turing Trust
2025	2,531	93	1,958	566	100 HP Hope Scheme

(4). And is any information available on how and where they are used?

When corporate devices are no longer required for operational use, we follow a structured and secure disposal process to ensure data protection and environmental compliance. This includes:

• Assessment: Devices are reviewed to determine whether they are eligible for redeployment, reuse, or disposal.
• Data Sanitisation: All devices are securely wiped using industry-leading data erasure software that complies with internationally recognised standards, and UK-specific requirements such as GDPR and NCSC (National Cyber Security Council) guidance. This process ensures that all data is permanently and irreversibly removed from the device, with tamper-proof erasure certificates generated for audit and compliance purposes.
• Reused or Recycled: Devices not fit for redeployment are either reused or recycled. Reused devices may be sold through approved channels or donated to approved third-sector organisations. Devices offered for sale are sold at auction by a contracted supplier. The specifics of each purchaser are not tracked. Donated devices are provided to third-sector organisations for continued use where possible, although supply chain constrictions following COVID-19 have interrupted donations in some years.

Remaining devices are recycled through certified e-waste partners. As noted above, whether resold, donated, or recycled devices are only ever disposed of after being fully wiped of all data.

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