Free safe and secure recycling of IT equipment

At GC we have safely disposed of IT equipment equalling the weight in tonnes of CO2 equivalent (tCO2e) of one Beluga Whale since November 2023!

As a social enterprise we always welcome ways in which we can give back to the communities and people we work with. Following colleague feedback on the safe disposal of equipment, our IT department has been leading on the recycling and upcycling of waste electrical and equipment management (WEE) process.

Previously, redundant equipment was stored for years or sent to suppliers for disposing of without thinking about our carbon footprint or the challenges of safely disposing of equipment for our colleagues.

Carbon savings aided by 600 laptops, tablets and phones have saved up to 1.37t of CO2 emissions!

Our IT department decided to approach supplier, Asset Lifecycle Solutions, to see if they could help safely and securely dispose of equipment that might contain sensitive and personal information.

IT has donated equipment that has so far gone to Broomfield’s Youth Trust, an award-winning Christian youth work partnership that signposts and supports 13–17-year-olds in the local community with emotional and mental health needs. The laptops are used by their staff in their day-to-day work.

Other equipment has been provided to Laptops for All, a non-profit that aims to increase access to learning, enterprise, and communication for people of all ages.

Equipment has also been given to Shelter.org, a veteran’s support service and other recipients.

Dominic Delsoldato, Chief Technology Officer at GC, said: "As a social value-based organisation it is important for us at GC to make sure we give back to the communities we work in whenever we can. This is a fantastic initiative by our supplier, not only are we able to repurpose our equipment where its most needed in a secure way, but we are reducing our carbon footprint and helping ensure colleagues do not face any adversity or challenges in the disposal of equipment."

Free Service

Since November 2023 we have been running a free of charge service from our head office in Lee House, Manchester City Centre. If the trial period of this project is successful, then the IT department will look at how they can support our colleagues in other locations to safely dispose of their equipment.

To take part in this free of charge service, colleagues can follow this process:

1. Contact IT via the service desk.
2. Pick up a bag and label from the IT department on the ground floor of Lee House, Manchester.
3. Place unwanted (tablets, laptops, phones) in a sealed bag provided, putting their name and email address on each bag. Drop it off back off with the IT department.
4. Regular collections will be made by Asset Lifecycle Solutions who will pick up these and take them away to their operation plant.
5. The equipment will then be securely wiped to factory settings by our supplier and a certified destruction certificate will be sent to the email provided. The certificate is confirmation that the equipment is clean of all data.
6. Equipment will then either be redistributed to charities in the Greater Manchester area, to schools or not-for-profit organisations. If it cannot be reused it will be recycled in accordance with all laws safely.

If you have work or personal equipment you want to safely dispose of or find out more please contact pip.southern@growthco.uk.