McMaster community invited to donate technology to support Hamiltonians in need

A student leaning over a computer tower that is lying on its side on a table

Students from McMaster’s Academic Sustainability Program help collect used technology at an October 2022 ACCESS Tech donation drive (Photo by Matt Clarke/McMaster University).


McMaster staff and faculty are invited to drop off used technology at the ACCESS Tech donation drive happening in front of University Hall at the same time as the second annual employee picnic on Monday, August 21 from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Donated technology will be distributed to local Hamiltonians in need.  

ACCESS Tech is a partnership between University Technology Services (UTS) and Facility Services that works with Empowerment Squared, a local charitable organization, and its network agencies to distribute donated technology to local families and children. 

Donations of the following used items will be accepted at the ACCESS Tech donation event; 

  • Desktop and laptop computers 
  • Printers 
  • Cameras 
  • External hard drives 
  • Cords 
  • Digital technology of any age. 
  • Mobile devices — like smartphones or smart watches — that are less than three years old 

While it is best if the technology is sanitized, with all data removed before being donated, this is not required. The ACCESS Tech team can assist with sanitizing the device. 

“McMaster staff and faculty can give their used devices a new purpose by donating them to ACCESS Tech,” says Sanya Sharma, an undergraduate student on the ACCESS Tech Team.  

“Any donations that are not given to local families in need are either upcycled by students who use the parts of the devices or are properly recycled.” 

To learn more about the Access Tech donation drive, including a list of FAQs, visit the ACCESS Tech Webpage or email acctech@mcmaster.ca 

Related Stories