Tech-Takeback wins circular economy award

RevaluElectricals, our collection and reuse service for small electricals in Brighton & Hove, has been awarded the title of ‘Circular Economy Project of the Year.’

The award was presented at the BusinessGreen Leaders Awards last week to representatives from Tech-Takeback, a local not-for-profit organisation who run the scheme in partnership with The ZeroNet. The initiative is supported by Brighton & Hove City Council and the Recycle Your Electricals campaign.

The service - the first of its kind to launch in the UK - has been operational for just under one year and was commended by judges for its on-the-ground impact and as a fantastic example of how to engage the public and drive up electrical waste recycling rates.

Through the RevaluElectricals service, Tech-Takeback collect devices such as mobile phones, computers and small appliances from the doorstep with the aim of giving these items a second life. 

Donations are securely wiped clean of data before being refurbished and prepared for re-use. With the help of local charity partners, items are re-distributed locally to those in the community who are most at need. 

Nearly 2,000 tonnes of CO2 saved.

Since its launch, the scheme has collected around 22,000 electrical items weighing a total of 19.2 tonnes. This has saved 1,182 tonnes of CO2 emissions through the reuse and recycling programme.

Dr David Greenfield, managing director of Tech-Takeback commented: “We are delighted to have been awarded this accolade. In less than a year, thanks to the kind donations we have received from residents, RevaluElectricals has collected and refurbished thousands of devices including 230 laptops and 45 desktop PCs, which are now being used again by some of the most vulnerable members of our community.”

Councillor Amy Heley, lead member for environment & sustainability, said: “It’s so easy for residents to donate items to this scheme and it’s great to see it is being well used.
​
“Anything that can be is refurbished and offered to someone else to use. Anything that can’t be saved is dismantled and recycled responsibly. The scheme is making a valuable contribution to our carbon neutral programme and I’d like to congratulate the team behind RevaluElectricals on their well-deserved award.”

To donate your unwanted small electrical items for reuse, head to techtakeback.co.uk/revaluelectricals