One of the UK’s fastest growing waste companies is to meet with a South West MEP in a bid to bring down the cost of electronic equipment, and ensure that more devices are reused, rather than scrapped.

Directors from The Electronic Waste Company are to meet with Julie Girling at the company’s newly opened Bristol facility on the 27^th May.

Ms Girling sits on the European Committee which is overseeing an update or “recast” of the Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment Directive.

Although the legislation is principally aimed at manufacturers and those in the recycling industry, it has a knock-on effect on the price of all electronic devices, from common household appliances to hi-tech IT.

The legislation came into effect in the UK in 2006, before Julie became an MEP.

The change provides an opportunity to increase the volume recycled and reused which will bring down the cost of electronic goods.

The legislation means that for every tonne of new equipment that manufacturers produce, they must pay for the recycling of a tonne of old equipment.

The amount they pay depends on how much they’re charged by recycling companies. But some unscrupulous operators are unnecessarily hiking the price, leading to more expensive goods for consumers.

Speaking ahead of the visit Julie Girling said; “It is essential for me to meet with businesses like The Electronic Waste Company to see what effects any new legislation will have on them and how I can help to communicate to Brussels any questions or difficulties businesses in the constituency may be having.

It is only through dialogue like this that I can make sure I am fully representing my constituents and preventing them from facing any difficulties that hinder their business development.  Reuse of items is important and I look forward to hearing the ideas and proposals of the EWC.”

The Electronic Waste Company is calling for a greater transparency, so that companies know how much it’ll cost to meet their legal obligations, with increased competition bringing the cost of recycling down.

Piers Lambkin from the Electronic Waste Company commented; “Most people aren’t aware of this legislation, but actually the price they pay for their new washing machine, toaster or new computer is affected by it. If we make it cheaper and easier for manufacturers to meet their obligations, more will do so, more waste will be recycled and the price of consumer goods should come down.”

The company will also use the meeting with Ms Girling to discuss a greater emphasis on the reuse, rather than recycling of items.

Currently, The Electronic Waste Company finds a use for most of the equipment it collects from businesses, homes and organisations such as hospital and schools.

This reduces the need for the production of new equipment, and so cuts the significant environmental impact of its manufacture.

Other companies reuse as little as 10% of their waste, with the remainder simply crushed or shredded.

Piers continued: “Although recycling is better than nothing, we’d like far more equipment to be reused, and we think that principle should be enshrined in law. We’re looking forward to meeting Ms Girling. She’s in a position of real influence, and the recast of this legislation presents a real opportunity.”

The Electronic Waste Company recently opened its Bristol base, at Avonmouth, to cope with an increase in the volume of waste from the region.

The depot, which also handles waste from Wales and the South of England, complements its secure data destruction facilities in Cornwall.

The company has been recognised for its work by numerous awards, including the National Recycling Awards, and accolades from the British Chambers of Commerce.

The company has also received British Standards ISO 14001 and 9001 for its quality management and approach to environmental issues.

For more information on The Electronic Waste Company, visit www.ewasteco.com

ENDS

For further media information, images or interviews, please contact Tim Bowcock at Black Cat Public Relations on 07828 599157

 

Bristol businesses have a new way to dispose of their used IT and electrical equipment following the opening of a local depot by one of the UK’s fastest growing recycling companies.

The Electronic Waste Company has taken on new premises at Avonmouth, following a substantial growth in the number of  companies in the greater Bristol area looking to dispose of their equipment responsibly.

The new 10,000 square feet depot will also be used to process waste from companies along the M4 corridor and South Wales.

The Electronic Waste Company takes unwanted, unusable or end-of-life electrical equipment from businesses, individuals and public sector organisations such as schools and hospitals.

Equipment which can be reused is checked for safety, data cleaned, refurbished and resold, while other items are dismantled and sold for spares.

Operations Director Piers Lambkin commented: “We’re hugely excited by this move into Bristol and it demonstrates that, increasingly, local companies are taking their responsibilities seriously and looking for a green way to dispose of their waste equipment.”

Normally waste companies charge, sometimes significant amounts, to collect and destroy waste equipment.

But because The Electronic Waste Company looks to reuse items wherever possible, its approach of often free collections for IT kit and payments for some kinds of equipment has proved hugely popular, with a virtual doubling in year-on-year turnover.

Its commitment to reuse and recycling means nothing the companies collects is destroyed or sent to landfill.

Its industry-leading strategy has won multiple awards, including accolades from the British Chambers of Commerce and the National Recycling Awards.

Current clients in the wider Bristol region include The Royal United Hospital in Bath, and Clifton-based recruitment specialist Resource Solutions Group PLC.

Lawrence Harris from Resource Solutions Group commented: “Electrical waste can be a headache and the simple option, that too many companies take, is to simply throw unwanted equipment away. But frankly, that’s environmental and financial madness, so we’ve been pleased to find a local, cost-effective solution for our end-of-life equipment. ”

Currently The Electronic Waste Company processes more than 6500 tonnes of waste at its Cornwall headquarters, and through partner sites across the country.

This is the first depot outside Cornwall to be directly managed by the company and the number of employees is expected to grow significantly from its initial base of three.

The Bristol depot complements the company high-security data destruction facility in Cornwall and a further 7,000 square feet of warehousing.

Piers continued: “While other companies simply sort and crush their waste, we look to reuse wherever possible, and extracting maximum value from items means we can offer better value to our customers.”

The Electronic Waste Company is the only firm in the South West to operate both an Environment Agency-approved Compliance Scheme and Authorised Approved Treatment Facility (AATF).

The two approvals make it the only company in the region which can provide a complete solution to companies which produce or sell electrical items.

The company also holds ISO 14001 and ISO 9001 for its commitment to environmental and quality management.

Further information on the company is available from www.ewasteco.com or by calling 0845 201 1380.

ENDS

Notes to Editors:

For further media information, please contact Tim Bowcock at Black Cat Public Relations on 01872 306403.

More than 30 NHS Trust in England are forecast to save hundreds of thousands of pounds on the disposal of redundant IT equipment after reaching an agreement with a leading South West recycling company.

Previously, the NHS has paid significant sums for its end-of-life IT equipment to be disposed of.

Now, that equipment, and its components, will either be recycled or prepared for resale by The Electronic Waste Company, allowing the equipment to be disposed of at no charge to the NHS.

The agreement means more money will be available for patient care.

Simon Wilde, The Electronic Waste Company’s Business Development Director explained: “Historically, equipment collected from the NHS was often simply destroyed. Nowadays, frankly, that’s environmental and financial madness. Our experience in IT equipment and reuse means we can extract the maximum value from every single item of equipment we collect and so can afford to offer a no-cost collection service to the NHS, saving individual Trusts thousands of pounds every year.”

More than 30 NHS Trusts are now using The Electronic Waste Company, with discussions underway with many more and a number of Strategic Health Authorities.

While office IT equipment forms the majority of the waste items, the agreement will also cover items such as imaging equipment, TVs, lighting, portable appliances and beds.

To ensure data security, any information held on computers is destroyed using methods in line with those employed by the defence industry.

The items are then checked for electrical safety and assessed to either be resold, repaired or dismantled and recycled. No items are sent to landfill.

Simon continued: “We know that to enable the best patient care, the NHS needs to keep its IT and other electronic devices up to date, and that means replacing existing items. We don’t believe that disposing of the old equipment should add to that cost.”

The Electronic Waste Company currently serves Primary Care Trusts from Devon to Manchester and acute Trusts and shared services in the South of England and the Midlands.

The company also provides a no-cost collection service for schools, local authorities, companies and other organisations.

More information on the company’s services is available from www.ewasteco.com or by calling 0845 201 1380.

ENDS

For further media information, interviews or high-resolution images, please contact Tim Bowcock at Black Cat Public Relations on 01872 306403.

 

Free electrical equipment for South West charities 

Thousands of pounds worth of free electrical equipment is on offer to South West charities. 

The equipment, including computers, TVs and even household appliances is being given away by the region’s leading electrical reuse and recycling company, The Electronic Waste Company. 

The company takes unwanted or end-of-life electrical equipment from major businesses, including schools, councils and the NHS. 

It is then comprehensively checked and tested, and wherever possible refurbished or broken down into separate components. 

These are then resold via its online operation, Computer Spares Warehouse, or retailed through premises in Redruth and Falmouth. 

Items which cannot be reused are separated into different materials and prepared for recycling. 

Now, The Electronic Waste Company has made a commitment to give a proportion of its resale equipment to local charities, and is asking those in need to get in touch. 

Damian Lambkin, CEO of The Electronic Waste Company said: “We know that there are a large number of charities out there who are feeling the economic pinch. We want to do what we can to help, and that’s why we’re offering to provide this second-hand equipment free of charge.” 

The equipment will be given a full warranty and can include computers, monitors, IT peripherals, TVs, household and commercial refrigeration. 

Damian continued: “This will all be top quality, refurbished kit which would otherwise be sold either online or via our retail premises. Although we’re pleased to be helping out charities, we cannot provide unlimited items, so we’re asking that charities tell us why they need the equipment and we’ll try and help those in the greatest need.” 

The Electronic Waste Company’s search for charities follows the company’s decision to open a showroom for the equipment at its headquarters on the Pool Business Park, near Redruth. 

The company also retails refurbished IT equipment and spare parts through the It’s a Computer Shop in Falmouth. 

All equipment is PAT tested, and data left on computers is destroyed using a system similar to that used by the Ministry of Defence. 

Last year, The Electronic Waste Company scooped a National Recycling Award for its work to reduce the amount of electrical and electronic goods disposed of by companies. Nothing the company receives is sent to landfill. 

The company holds ISO9001 certification for its commitment to quality management and ISO14001 accreditation for its environmental processes. 

To benefit from the free equipment, organisations must be registered as a charities or community interest companies. To apply, please email charitykit@blackcat-pr.co.uk or fax 084500 9 10 24.

A1 Compliance scheme welcomes re-approval 

The Electronic Waste Company has welcomed an Environment Agency decision to renew its WEEE Producer Compliance Scheme licence. 

Since 2007, The Electronic Waste Company has operated the A1 Compliance scheme, enabling electrical equipment producers to meet their obligations under the European WEEE Regulations. 

A1 Compliance specialises in category three, four and display obligations and the Environment Agency’s approval will safeguard up to 12 jobs. 

The company, which has members across the UK, remains the only scheme to be based in the South West peninsula, at Pool in Cornwall. 

Damian Lambkin, The Electronic Waste Company’s CEO said: “The renewal of this licence is terrific news for The Electronic Waste Company and A1 Compliance members. With a question mark over other Compliance Schemes, our members can have peace of mind knowing that their legal obligations will continue to be met.” 

The Environment Agency has renewed The Electronic Waste Company’s licence, allowing it to operate the Compliance Scheme from 2010 to 2013. 

The Electronic Waste Company’s approval coincides with the failure of many existing schemes to be relicensed, including Transform, City Compliance and Econo-WEEE. 

Damian continued: “We know that the failure of some schemes to be relicensed will create uncertainty and we’re prepared for calls from members of other Compliance Schemes who are concerned about their legal position.
We’re happy to provide advice, and if producers have no option but to change schemes, there is plenty of time before they absolutely have to reregister.” 

The Electronic Waste Company was among the first businesses to apply successfully for a three-year Compliance Scheme licence in 2007. 

A1 Compliance has remained one of the best value schemes, thanks in part to the fact that The Electronic Waste Company’s operates is own Designated Collection Facility and Approved Authorised Treatment Facility. 

This “one-stop shop” approach has been supplemented by partnerships with other private DCFs around the UK, allowing it to accept all WEEE categories 

Since setting up the Compliance Scheme, The Electronic Waste Company has been awarded ISO 14001 and 9001 for commitment to its environmental and process management. 

The Electronic Waste Company also carries the British Standard BS8555 for environmental compliance and operates a “0% to landfill” policy. 

The company has won numerous national and local accolades, including the recognition in the National Recycling Awards and from the British Chambers of Commerce 

One of the South West’s leading recycling companies has appointed four new specialist advisers to help businesses keep on top of their legal obligations. 

The Electronic Waste Company has taken on three full-time members of staff at its Redruth headquarters, and fourth member of staff based in Birmingham. 

The advisers will help businesses meet tough European regulations known as the Waste Electronic and Electrical Equipment, or WEEE, Directive. 

They’ll also be on call for businesses who need help disposing of sometimes hazardous electrical equipment safely and securely. 

The three Cornwall members of staff are Simon Wilde from Falmouth, Ian Curtis from Truro and Sarah Williams from Newquay. 

Keith Jones will be based in Birmingham and will help grow the company’s business in the Midlands. 

The Electronic Waste Company’s CEO, Damian Lambkin, commented: “The number of enquiries from businesses grew dramatically during 2009 and Simon, Ian, Sarah and Keith will help us streamline how we deal with that workload. More businesses than ever want to learn about meeting their legal and moral obligations to dispose of electrical waste responsibly. We now have a stronger team in place to provide that advice.” 

The team will divide their time between advising companies that have waste to dispose of and businesses which sell or make electronic products. 

For the last two years, these businesses have been obliged by law to monitor the amount of new equipment they sell, report figures to the Environment Agency and contribute towards recycling an equivalent quantity of waste equipment. 

This complex process is handled by what are known as Compliance Schemes, and The Electronic Waste Company’s advisers will help businesses to stay within the law, while reducing the cost of Compliance Scheme membership. 

The new staff members have a wide experience of recycling, retail, business development and management, allowing them to provide tailored help and assistance. 

Simon Wilde was the founder of Rag and Bone 2000, an organisation which collected recycling from homes and business in the mid-Cornwall area and was subsequently taken over by Cornwall County Council. 

Ian Curtis has a background in retail across a range of sectors including electrical and IT equipment sales while Sarah Williams has worked in a number of media, management and training roles in mid- and North Cornwall. 

Birmingham-based Keith Jones has sold IT equipment to the NHS and large corporate organisations for the last 16 years. 

Damian continued: “Their wide range of experience means the team will be able to provide practical and cost effective solutions to help businesses minimise the impact of their electrical waste. The UK, and Cornwall particularly, is facing a landfill time-bomb with only a few years’ capacity left. I hope that this new team will play a part in defusing that ticking bomb.” 

The Electronic Waste Company is has ISO9001 and 14001 recognition for its commitment to effective management and environmental policies. 

It has a commitment to reuse or recycle all of the waste it processes; nothing goes to landfill. 

This help prevent reduce the amount of resources needed to manufacture new electrical equipment, and prevents dangerous heavy metals leaching into the environment from landfill.