Environment -- Innovating Our World

From Arrow Electronics Corporate Social Responsibility and Sustainability Report 2015
Feb 23, 2016 1:10 PM ET

Close the Gap, a Brussels-based nonprofit, helps Arrow Electronics bridge the digital divide in developing nations by distributing refurbished computers and other equipment to schools, clinics and micro-finance organizations, as well as establishing environmentally responsible e-waste facilities. Since 2004, our partnership has processed 500,000 computers and other devices from companies and reached more than 1.5 million new users, mostly in Africa.

In 2015, Arrow and Close the Gap launched the DigiTruck program in Africa. The DigiTruck is a mobile classroom or clinic that can operate off-grid in remote areas.

The unit, built from a 40-foot steel cargo container, is triple insulated to protect against tropical heat and reinforced to deter vandalism. Energy-saving technologies include LED interior lighting and rooftop solar that can power the unit for two days. Added electronics include refurbished laptops, mobile devices, an LED flat screen monitor, 

To read more about Arrow Electronics' commitment to technology incubators, please see our 2015 Corporate Social Responsibility and Sustainability Report.