Collaboration presses all the right keys on e-waste
A new partnership has been launched to provide businesses in Edinburgh with an environmentally-friendly IT disposal service.
Leith-based social enterprise Edinburgh Remakery has partnered with the Capital’s IT consultancy Illuminate Technology, which specialises in creating IT solutions for SMES to optimise their systems and keep them safe.
It also offers its clients, and their clients, an eco-friendly avenue for old equipment, with free collection and disposal.
The collaboration will ensure that more of Edinburgh’s electronic waste is diverted from landfill, preventing harmful chemicals from leaching into the environment and potentially contaminating food and water sources.
According to a report from the Platform for Accelerating the Circular Economy and the UN E-waste Coalition, released in January 2019, global e-waste could reach 120 million tonnes per annum by 2050 if the current trajectory continues.
Approximately 20 per cent of all electronic waste is formally recycled, the remaining 80 per cent being informally recycled, the majority of which is done in developing countries by hand, threatening the health of workers.
The equipment that is given to the Edinburgh Remakery, whose mission via its community repair hub on
Leith Walk is to reduce waste, will also be used to benefit the community through its #Remakeadifference projects.
Stephanie Bowring, the
charity’s marketing and events manager, says: “We’re thrilled that Illuminate Technology have taken this next step towards sustainability, and hope many more businesses will follow and do their bit to help tackle climate change.
“Partnerships like this are a win for the community and a win for the environment.”
Amanda Stewart, Illuminate Technology’s managing director, says: “As an IT business, we are keen to be part of the circular economy and have been looking for an ethical way to have a cradle-to-grave journey for the equipment we provide to clients.
“Our partnership with Edinburgh Remakery is going to allow us to provide this service, while also ensuring that it is being reused or recycled.”