Recycle-IT was set up in 2021, in response to increasing E waste, chip and materials shortages, and digital poverty. Director John Hastings explains how the Bolton social enterprise is good for the environment, good for those struggling financially and good for local businesses.

“We’re a social enterprise that collects and recycles computer equipment – electronic waste – and we put it back into the community.

“There’s a great opportunity for social enterprises and community orientated businesses to work in the information technology asset disposal industry. We want to shake it up a little bit, be a disruptor service and show that we can do this modelling a little differently, a little socially.

“It’s about using innovative ways to give businesses the opportunity to get rid of used items ethically and easily and provide low-cost equipment that’s been refurbished that otherwise would have been destined for landfill.

“We collect from large organisations, businesses and households in predominantly the Manchester area at the moment and are looking to grow across the North.”

Organisations such as The Bruntwood Group, Starts With You, Henshaws, SureStore and Bolton CVS have already taken advantage of Recycle-IT’s service. If the donated items cannot be refurbished to become useful again they get broken down into constituent parts, such as metal – even the tiny bits of gold in the are extracted – plastic and cardboard, and sold on.

Harnessing the power of eBay

John said: “We’re National Lottery funded and have revenue from the waste itself, but we also get revenue streams from the equipment that we provide back to the community. We sell it at half price. We take a mean of what it’s worth online on eBay and Amazon and its refurbishment and then we half that – much to our business developers and advisors dismay and frustration!

It is central to what Recycle-IT does that the final product is priced low as possible to counter the technology inequality they see in society today.

Recycle-IT are part of the first cohort to work with eBay for Change, a ‘hub’ that connects social enterprises with millions of eBay UK customers to provide income generating opportunities for marginalised communities.

John explained: “eBay For Change has been transformational for us. They have given us an anchor package with monthly funding and two month’s of training to set up the shop.”

There are plans for local sales to when the supply chain has stabilised to allow for continuous stock flow.

John said: “We have seen how well digital strategies are working in areas such as Salford and Stockport and we want the same for Bolton.”

Overcoming barriers with tech

John is harnessing the power of AI to overcome his barriers to make sure others can have opportunities in IT.

He said: “I left school with 15. I didn’t get on with the traditional educational system and I came out with no formal educational qualifications. I’m dyslexic, with a possibility of undiagnosed ADHD. There are definitely barriers for me, so I’ve embraced AI. We have used Chat-GPT, AI algorithms and bots, to help set up and run the business.”

John is passionate about helping students and people from disadvantaged backgrounds overcome barriers they may face in being able to enter the technology sector and embrace environmental sustainability.

“AI frees us to do the things we really want to, which is the refurbishment and teaching students. We offer placements to students from Bury and Bolton Colleges to get hands-on with the hardware either stripping it down to its component parts for salvage, sale or reuse in Recycle-IT refurbishment projects we then go on to sell.

“We work with volunteers from disadvantaged backgrounds, such as people who are autistic or have disabilities, that don’t have the opportunities to go into the industry and work on E waste.

“Through the T-level program, we’ve also managed to secure bursaries to fund equipment such as  3D printers which we use to make things to help us in refurbishing.”

Recycle-IT has diverted over 15 tonnes of waste from landfills to date, with big plans to expand its service.

John sums up Recycle-IT’s mission simply as: “We want to transform lives, using the circular economy to empower people.”

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To offer tech to be refurbished or recycled contact info@recycle-it.org.uk or 01204 356996