Nice Network and Rebuyer team up to tackle global e-waste crisis

A new partnership between communications specialist Nice Network and IT recycling firm Rebuyer is helping chip away at the global e-waste crisis.

The two North East tech companies have joined forces to help big businesses securely and sustainably dispose of their end of life electrical devices and equipment.

Over the past 12 months, both companies have helped refurbish and resell thousands of items, ranging from personal computers to mobile devices, laptops and tablets – products that would have otherwise ended up as e-waste.

A recent report by the United Nations (UN) claimed that 50 million tonnes of e-waste is generated every year – and this figure is expected to more than double to over 110 million by 2050.

It is thought that the doubling of e-waste is down to the rise of new technologies in the Internet of Things (IoT) and wearables.

Rebuyer is based in Sunderland and has been championing the circular economy for the last four years, working with companies like Nice Network to provide a viable solution to the growing amount of electronic waste.

Simon Howatson, CEO and co-founder of Rebuyer, said: “Businesses nowadays are extremely tech focused. I don’t think there’s a single industry that hasn’t been affected in some way, shape or form by digital transformation.

“That’s what inspired us to launch Rebuyer. We have a team of experts – working to the strictest Government standards – who can securely sanitise devices, meaning we can provide organisations with a way to sustainably dispose of their end of life equipment and devices, while generating a completely new revenue stream in the process.

“By reselling the devices, we also help reduce the number of off-the-shelf devices being sold, which is another huge contributor to the e-waste crisis.

“The release of toxins from mining the minerals required to manufacture electronic goods can be extremely hazardous and has such a detrimental impact on the environment.”

Nice Network, which provides communications solutions to global brands like Nike, Puma, Husqvarna and Drager, has worked hand-in-hand with Rebuyer on a number of projects over the past year.

Andrew Bentley, telecoms operations manager at Nice Network, added: “We have worked incredibly hard on increasing our own CSR activity over the past few years and reducing our carbon footprint has been central to this.

“When we met with Simon and the team at Rebuyer, we couldn’t wait to get involved with the project.

“Not only have they created a business model that drives profits – but it also drives positive change for the environment. It’s a perfect example of the benefits that can be reaped by companies being responsible and embracing the circular economy.

“However, while we’re incredibly proud of all the work we’ve done so far, we’re also aware that we can’t rest on our laurels and that more must be done to tackle e-waste, which is now one of the fastest growing waste streams in the world.”