Why responsible recycling matters
Properly recycling network equipment ensures potentially harmful materials are managed safely while valuable metals and components are recovered. Additionally, businesses must comply with legal obligations concerning e-waste disposal.
What is WEEE?
Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE) represents one of the fastest-growing global waste streams, with an estimated 40 million tonnes generated annually (source: The World Counts). E-waste frequently contains heavy metals and rare earth elements that pose risks to human health and the environment, especially as they break down. Moreover, many components include precious metals that are costly to extract and produce, thus placing greater strain on both the environment and the economy if simply thrown away.
Network recycling services
We have championed sustainability from the outset. When it’s time to upgrade your network equipment or clear out surplus stock, our asset recovery solutions enable you to trade in unwanted items.
- Reuse & Resale – Most equipment can be refurbished and resold, mitigating e-waste and generating value for your business.
- Recycling – If there is no market demand or it’s impossible to refurbish equipment, we offer comprehensive WEEE recycling supported by a transparent audit trail, including certificates of destruction or formatting.
A straightforward process
Our “take-all” asset recovery model simplifies everything: no need to separate resale items from recycling before collection. Once we receive the equipment:
- Advanced Software: Determines the next step for each piece, whether resale or recycling.
- Repair & Refurbishment: We refurbish items where viable to put them back into circulation.
- WEEE Recycling: Items with no resale value are responsibly recycled.
Maximising efficiencies of scale
As one of the leading recyclers of network equipment, processing over 100 tonnes every month, we:
- Extract the maximum possible residual value from components.
- Process more than 1,200 tonnes of network hardware annually.
- Achieve a 94% material recovery rate.
- Deliver superior recycling returns to our clients.
We leverage longstanding partnerships with trusted recycling facilities to ensure the best possible pricing and highest recycling yields for your organisation. Get in touch to discuss your unique requirements.
Types of IT & network network equipment recycled
Our focus is on WEEE Category 3 — IT and network equipment — including:
- Mainframes, networking, telecoms, and broadcasting equipment.
- Mobile communication infrastructure (base stations, cabinets, BTS).
- Desktop computers, peripherals, circuit boards, cables, and components.
- Storage media and hard drives (secure data destruction available).
Material handling
- Non-hazardous materials: Cardboard, aluminium, and steel are separated for recycling.
- Circuit boards: Refined to reclaim precious metals such as gold (Au), silver (Ag), palladium (Pd), and copper (Cu).
- Monitors (CRT, LCD, Plasma): Processed carefully to handle any heavy metals (e.g. lead).
- Hazardous substances: Extracted for safe disposal or reclamation to safeguard human health and the environment.
Recycle your network & IT hardware with confidence
- Transparent valuations & documentation: You’ll receive clear pricing and a Certificate of Destruction (CoD) for every project.
- Swift payment: Among the fastest payout times in the network and corporate WEEE recycling sector.
- Guaranteed data security: Certified data erasure and hard drive shredding.
- Environmentally responsible: Minimal environmental impact through compliance with all relevant legislation.
- Environmentally responsible: Minimal environmental impact through compliance with all relevant legislation.
WEEE recycling benefits
- Realise value: Gain revenue from end-of-life network assets.
- Reduce toxic waste: Prevent useful resources from going to landfill, cutting carbon emissions.
- Meet obligations: Comply with WEEE and other environmental requirements.
- Improve CSR & reputation: Demonstrate sustainable best practices to stakeholders.
- Access detailed reporting: Use our customer portal for full visibility of recycled assets.
- Work with certified experts: We hold all necessary licences and ISO 14001:2015 certification.
- Choose an EcoVadis-Rated supplier: Reflecting our strong corporate social responsibility credentials.
How do WEEE regulations affect my organisation?
- The Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE) Directive applies to nearly all businesses in the European Union. It sets out rules for the treatment, recycling, and recovery of electronic products. Non-compliance can damage the environment and lead to prosecution or financial penalties.
- A brief history of the WEEE directive
- Original Directive 2002/96/EC (2003): Established collection schemes allowing free returns of WEEE.
- WEEE Directive 2012/19/EU (2012): Updated to address rapidly increasing e-waste, taking effect in 2014.
- RoHS Directive (2002/95/EC): Restricted certain hazardous substances in electrical and electronic equipment.
- Recast Directive 2011/65/EU (2013): Strengthened restrictions on harmful substances.
Need help staying compliant?
Embracing green procurement is one of the best ways to make your operations more sustainable. We provide network hardware and asset management services as a leading alternative to OEMs, guided by a strong commitment to environmental responsibility.
If your equipment has no further market value or cannot be refurbished, our WEEE-compliant recycling service ensures precious materials are reclaimed and kept out of landfill.
We have extensive experience in the disposal of WEEE Category 3 (IT and network), making us one of Europe’s largest recyclers. Our global relationships with major smelters help maximise returns for our clients. You can rely on consistent adherence to the highest environmental and legal standards, underpinned by independent audits and certifications like ISO 14001:2015 Environmental Management.