Thousands of pounds worth of free electrical equipment is on offer to South West charities. 

The equipment, including computers, TVs and even household appliances is being given away by the region’s leading electrical reuse and recycling company, The Electronic Waste Company. 

The company takes unwanted or end-of-life electrical equipment from major businesses, including schools, councils and the NHS. 

It is then comprehensively checked and tested, and wherever possible refurbished or broken down into separate components. 

These are then resold via its online operation, Computer Spares Warehouse, or retailed through premises in Redruth and Falmouth. 

Items which cannot be reused are separated into different materials and prepared for recycling. 

Now, The Electronic Waste Company has made a commitment to give a proportion of its resale equipment to local charities, and is asking those in need to get in touch. 

Damian Lambkin, CEO of The Electronic Waste Company said: “We know that there are a large number of charities out there who are feeling the economic pinch. We want to do what we can to help, and that’s why we’re offering to provide this second-hand equipment free of charge.” 

The equipment will be given a full warranty and can include computers, monitors, IT peripherals, TVs, household and commercial refrigeration. 

Damian continued: “This will all be top quality, refurbished kit which would otherwise be sold either online or via our retail premises. Although we’re pleased to be helping out charities, we cannot provide unlimited items, so we’re asking that charities tell us why they need the equipment and we’ll try and help those in the greatest need.” 

The Electronic Waste Company’s search for charities follows the company’s decision to open a showroom for the equipment at its headquarters on the Pool Business Park, near Redruth. 

The company also retails refurbished IT equipment and spare parts through the It’s a Computer Shop in Falmouth. 

All equipment is PAT tested, and data left on computers is destroyed using a system similar to that used by the Ministry of Defence. 

Last year, The Electronic Waste Company scooped a National Recycling Award for its work to reduce the amount of electrical and electronic goods disposed of by companies. Nothing the company receives is sent to landfill. 

The company holds ISO9001 certification for its commitment to quality management and ISO14001 accreditation for its environmental processes. 

To benefit from the free equipment, organisations must be registered as a charities or community interest companies. To apply, please email charitykit@blackcat-pr.co.uk or fax 084500 9 10 24.

The Electronic Waste Company has welcomed an Environment Agency decision to renew its WEEE Producer Compliance Scheme licence. 

Since 2007, The Electronic Waste Company has operated the A1 Compliance scheme, enabling electrical equipment producers to meet their obligations under the European WEEE Regulations. 

A1 Compliance specialises in category three, four and display obligations and the Environment Agency’s approval will safeguard up to 12 jobs. 

The company, which has members across the UK, remains the only scheme to be based in the South West peninsula, at Pool in Cornwall. 

Damian Lambkin, The Electronic Waste Company’s CEO said: “The renewal of this licence is terrific news for The Electronic Waste Company and A1 Compliance members. With a question mark over other Compliance Schemes, our members can have peace of mind knowing that their legal obligations will continue to be met.” 

The Environment Agency has renewed The Electronic Waste Company’s licence, allowing it to operate the Compliance Scheme from 2010 to 2013. 

The Electronic Waste Company’s approval coincides with the failure of many existing schemes to be relicensed, including Transform, City Compliance and Econo-WEEE. 

Damian continued: “We know that the failure of some schemes to be relicensed will create uncertainty and we’re prepared for calls from members of other Compliance Schemes who are concerned about their legal position.
We’re happy to provide advice, and if producers have no option but to change schemes, there is plenty of time before they absolutely have to reregister.” 

The Electronic Waste Company was among the first businesses to apply successfully for a three-year Compliance Scheme licence in 2007. 

A1 Compliance has remained one of the best value schemes, thanks in part to the fact that The Electronic Waste Company’s operates is own Designated Collection Facility and Approved Authorised Treatment Facility. 

This “one-stop shop” approach has been supplemented by partnerships with other private DCFs around the UK, allowing it to accept all WEEE categories 

Since setting up the Compliance Scheme, The Electronic Waste Company has been awarded ISO 14001 and 9001 for commitment to its environmental and process management. 

The Electronic Waste Company also carries the British Standard BS8555 for environmental compliance and operates a “0% to landfill” policy. 

The company has won numerous national and local accolades, including the recognition in the National Recycling Awards and from the British Chambers of Commerce 

The Electronic Waste Company has taken on three full-time members of staff at its Redruth headquarters, and fourth member of staff based in Birmingham. 

The advisers will help businesses meet tough European regulations known as the Waste Electronic and Electrical Equipment, or WEEE, Directive. 

They’ll also be on call for businesses who need help disposing of sometimes hazardous electrical equipment safely and securely. 

The three Cornwall members of staff are Simon Wilde from Falmouth, Ian Curtis from Truro and Sarah Williams from Newquay. 

Keith Jones will be based in Birmingham and will help grow the company’s business in the Midlands. 

The Electronic Waste Company’s CEO, Damian Lambkin, commented: “The number of enquiries from businesses grew dramatically during 2009 and Simon, Ian, Sarah and Keith will help us streamline how we deal with that workload. More businesses than ever want to learn about meeting their legal and moral obligations to dispose of electrical waste responsibly. We now have a stronger team in place to provide that advice.” 

The team will divide their time between advising companies that have waste to dispose of and businesses which sell or make electronic products. 

For the last two years, these businesses have been obliged by law to monitor the amount of new equipment they sell, report figures to the Environment Agency and contribute towards recycling an equivalent quantity of waste equipment. 

This complex process is handled by what are known as Compliance Schemes, and The Electronic Waste Company’s advisers will help businesses to stay within the law, while reducing the cost of Compliance Scheme membership. 

The new staff members have a wide experience of recycling, retail, business development and management, allowing them to provide tailored help and assistance. 

Simon Wilde was the founder of Rag and Bone 2000, an organisation which collected recycling from homes and business in the mid-Cornwall area and was subsequently taken over by Cornwall County Council. 

Ian Curtis has a background in retail across a range of sectors including electrical and IT equipment sales while Sarah Williams has worked in a number of media, management and training roles in mid- and North Cornwall. 

Birmingham-based Keith Jones has sold IT equipment to the NHS and large corporate organisations for the last 16 years. 

Damian continued: “Their wide range of experience means the team will be able to provide practical and cost effective solutions to help businesses minimise the impact of their electrical waste. The UK, and Cornwall particularly, is facing a landfill time-bomb with only a few years’ capacity left. I hope that this new team will play a part in defusing that ticking bomb.” 

The Electronic Waste Company is has ISO9001 and 14001 recognition for its commitment to effective management and environmental policies. 

It has a commitment to reuse or recycle all of the waste it processes; nothing goes to landfill. 

This help prevent reduce the amount of resources needed to manufacture new electrical equipment, and prevents dangerous heavy metals leaching into the environment from landfill.