RDC IT Disposal & Remarketing

New Corporate Video Featuring the 22 Acre Premises Dedicated to IT Disposal

RDC — Mon, 08 Apr 2013 13:26:47 +0000

RDC have released the following new video describing the services offered from their Braintee, Essex premises.

RDC, the world’s largest waste electronic and electrical equipment (WEEE), IT Disposal and refurbishment centre, provide an interesting glimpse of the inner workings of the company and take you on a whistle-stop tour of the warehouses and production areas. See the toughest security, safety and operational standards in action to protect data and the environment and find out how Reuse, Reduce and Recycle are employed in the processing of IT Equipment.

Mr Gerry Hackett, RDC’s Managing Director, explains how RDC ensures customers comply with all legal and regulatory obligations when managing used equipment. Watch case studies from the Environment Agency, BT and Microsoft as they talk about the benefits of choosing RDC and how they have saved money and improved their recycling process.

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Glass Panes – The A to Z of How to Reuse, Reduce or Recycle Anything

RDC — Thu, 28 Mar 2013 13:47:21 +0000

Window panes are a pane-in-the-glass if you will excuse the pun. It’s dangerous, difficult to transport and cannot be recycled with other glass items such as bottles and jars.

The cost of replacing glass panes is expensive but the majority is for labour and handling. Thus resale value is negligible and there is little immediate or obvious assistance for getting rid of it.

Contact your local authority to find out how they handle pane and plate glass recycling. Most authorities will have a community recycling centre that will accept it, your only task to find a safe way to transport it which will vary on it’s size.

Avoid heroic attempts to reduce it’s size with a hammer. Take all possible precautions. Make sure you wear appropriate protection, thick gloves, industrial glasses, leave no part of your body unprotected and ensure no one else is nearby. Cover the glass with tarpaulin completely to reduce the risk of flying shards.

DIY stores sell glass cutters for under £5 which can be used for more accurate and safer breaks. The following video snippet demonstrates how to use them:

Window Pane on Twitter

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PAS 141 and the Importance of the Reuse Sector to the UK

RDC — Thu, 21 Mar 2013 11:32:08 +0000

Chris Pook, head of the Green Economy Team at the Department of Business Innovation and Skills, joined RDC the UK’s leading IT disposal company, for the launch of PAS 141, the new reuse standard for electrical equipment.

Mr Pook told the audience it was an appropriate time to launch the PAS 141 standard because government is currently focused on economic growth and jobs. Vince Cable, Mr Pook’s boss, is interested in business strategy and his department is working with all business sectors across the economy to find the real opportunities and barriers to growth and to do something about it.

The UK waste sector is valued at 13 billion pounds per annum and is forecast to grow 3 to 4 percent per year. It is a pattern seen across a range of low carbon and environmental goods and services. The one thing they share in common is strong growth at a time when the economy is struggling.

“It is very clear the reuse, the processing, the transport and the management of electrical waste is a key part of the green economy and in fact a lot of the work going on in government at the moment is looking at how we can create a more sustainable economy. You would have heard of the circular economy and how that works and how we can be more efficient and make better use of end of life products.” He said.

A key part of industry development is not just technological innovation but the standards required to underpin the business. If you give business a solid platform on which to innovate and develop new business models and new sectors of the economy you have to have a clear set of standards and principles which companies across the economy can work towards.

This is not important just to manage rogue companies and people who take a loose approach to the regulations but it is extremely important to those companies who are trying to do things properly and who are generating the growth exploiting the opportunities we see emerging.

The UK has a good story to tell on this subject. The overall levels of waste going to landfill have nearly halved since 2000 and household recycling rates have climbed 40% and a 29% decline in the levels of waste generated by business. Overall business recycling rates are above 50%.

We also need to look at the critical supply of raw materials which has become a key issue over recent years. Particularly as the electronics industry has come to realise how dependent it is on the supply of rare earth metals and minerals.

“I spent the last five years in Tokyo as the science counsellor and certainly this was a major issue for Japanese companies, and incidentally Japan has one of the strongest recycling and reuse rates in the world.

PAS 141 will provide reassurance to consumers and to the collectors of discarded products that all items sent to accredited operators will be properly tested which is essential if we are to build this market and if we are to exploit overseas markets.

I have a huge amount of sympathy regarding previous speakers comments on access to places such as Brazil, India and maintaining access to Africa. We have to make sure what we are doing is legal and that it is accepted and understood in our export markets that this is a valid and viable source of electrical equipment.” Said Mr Pook.

Listen to the Podcast

Watch the Chris Pook’s speech:

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PAS 141 control of illegal export of WEEE by Mat Crocker of the Environment Agency

RDC — Mon, 04 Mar 2013 11:09:35 +0000

Mat Crocker, Head of Illegals & Waste at the Environment Agency

Mat Crocker, Head of Illegals & Waste at the Environment Agency, introduces his department.

“The combination of illegals and waste into one department is because we are serious about tackling organised crime which undercuts legitimate business and impacts investment plans.”

PAS 141 will help differentiate legitimate exports from illegal exports of WEEE under the guise of being sent abroad for reuse. The international Correspondents Guidelines agreed under the Basel Convention call for a “test” to differentiate between reuse and the illegal exports of waste – but they fail to specify what ‘test’ is required. PAS 141 sets out the tests to fill this gap and will be used by the UK Environment Agencies to focus efforts on stopping illegal exports

Mr Crocker recognises the industry led effort in creating PAS 141 and explains the chief benefits to his department are the provision of another tool for the combat of illegal waste and the contribution to the reuse of waste materials.

“You will have seen the heart rending pictures and stories highlighted by NGO’s such as Greenpeace and others that talk about the real human and environmental consequences that happen, and it really is a terrible thing.

It’s unacceptable on every level that this situation should happen. With PAS 141 we have something to help us deal with this. We have been put under pressure as a regulator to do something about this and actually we have put pressure on ourselves to get something done.

But it’s not something we can do by ourselves, it’s a partnership between us and legitimate industry and together we can do everything we can to stop it from happening.”

Mr Crocker explained the difficulties faced by the Environment Agency. “As a trading nation we have millions of containers arriving each year and we cannot inspect each one, therefore we use intelligence led research to identify the illegal export of WEEE.”

Outlining some of the methods used by criminals to hide the illegal export of WEEE Mr Crocker expounded how the agency solicits help from industry, HMRC and border agencies to tackle the problem.

What are the Environment Agency going to do with the new PAS 141 Standard?

The agency will use it with risk profiling. Just being certified to PAS 141 standard is not a guarantee of compliance. PAS 141 will be used as an indicator along with other metrics to identify non compliance.

PAS 141 will provide a common reference for Environment Agency operators and staff to identify the type of waste; Is it waste electrical goods or is it goods being genuinely exported to another country?

Mr Crocker closes with a request for industry assistance. “If you see something that’s not quite right please contact me by phone or email. You know your industry and its intricacies far better than we can.”

Listen to the Podcast

Watch the keynote speech:

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New Industry Standards Welcomed at the Official Launch of PAS 141

RDC — Fri, 01 Mar 2013 09:00:18 +0000

Gerry Hackett, Managing Director of RDC, welcomes delegates to the official launch of PAS 141

Gerry Hackett, Managing Director of RDC, the world’s foremost IT Disposal and IT Recycling company, welcomed delegates to the official launch of PAS 141, the new reuse standard.

He explained when looking for standards RDC didn’t just wanted badges they wanted something that was applicable with intellectual rigour behind accreditation of bodies able to issue certificates.

PAS 141 is the next step in standards evolution for RDC. Some markets remain shut for RDC and only by cleaning up the industry can we hope to open them.

PAS 141 is about encouraging reuse whilst controlling the illegal movement of material in the UK but more importantly its about legitimising access to markets abroad.

It will help to keep markets open that are open. Mr Hackett said some markets in Africa are being shut down.

Two significant markets, India and Brazil, are closed to used equipment. That is why we want PAS 141, to offer rigour and standards, and hopefully through that we can begin to enter those markets currently closed to us.

New Industry Standards Welcomed at the Official Launch of PAS 141
Listen to or watch Mr Hackett’s introduction to launch delegates:

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Glass Bottles and Jars – The A to Z of How to Reuse, Reduce or Recycle Anything

RDC — Mon, 25 Feb 2013 17:07:57 +0000

I have few memories that date back to when I was four, but the garden shed is one of them. This magnificent place was the Dexter’s laboratory of 1965 with every tool and every material needed for house and home.

The gardener, called Mr Gardner (I kid you not) was a kind and caring man who spent more time with me than my own father. He wasn’t chatty, he didn’t tell me war stories or anything about his life, instead he showed me the tools and how he used them.

He was extremely organised and I expect back in 1965 the lack of resources forced people to find ways of reusing everything they could. The throw-away culture didn’t exist yet, at least not in the garden shed.

Jam jar lids fixed underneath shelves held jars providing useful visible storage for 30 to 50 different novelties including powders, potions, screws, nails, seeds, bicycle valves and extraordinary, sometimes astonishing materials.

They were practical, cheap, attractive and I had an endless curiosity that never once was too much trouble for Mr Gardner to oblige.

Then there were his ‘pottles’, not just the huge ornamental ones used to create mini indoor biosphere’s but everything from large jars to old fashioned whisky jars.

These contained peculiar smelling bulbs and liquids and yes, some were even fermenting. I don’t know if any of it was drinkable but I remember the shock of my first pickled walnut, or was it a chestnut? Either way it was horrible.

Rows of small glass pots, similar to cockle pots, were used for growing new seeds. These were transferred to red pottery pots and to the garden in warmer months.

There was no electricity so candles in jars illuminated the darker depths of the shed. He made the candles with fat provided by the kitchen and peppermint and other herbs from the herb garden.

Everything Mr Gardner needed was in the garden. If a shovel or a fork needed a new handle he would make it, if a door creaked, a bike squeaked or roof leaked, something in one of his jars would inevitably be used to fix it.

Brushes were made from fallen twigs and if he needed string to bind anything he would use cordage made from the sweet chestnut, willow, elm, oak and lime trees growing in the garden.

Today I don’t have a shed but can’t help hoarding jam jars in anticipation of one day owning one just like Mr Gardner’s. The ancient smell intermingling with the home made candles, pickling and fermenting jars and the dark recesses of a very long shed with wooden floors is a retirement ambition, something to look forward to.

Glass can be recycled, no need to remove the label or wash them out. Enter your postcode in the form below the video to find your nearest drop off point.

But consider keeping the jam jars…

Glass Bottles - how they are recycled from RecycleNow on Vimeo.

Enter your post code to find your nearest kerbside drop off point:

Glass Jars on Twitter

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Gas Cylinders – The A to Z of How to Reuse, Reduce or Recycle Anything

RDC — Wed, 20 Feb 2013 16:26:11 +0000

Gas cylinders and bottles can be refurbished and reused. Most have the company name and contact details printed on them and will collect free of charge.

If you cannot identify the company from the bottle contact your local authority who can give you the location of your nearest drop off point.

Gas Bottle on Twitter

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RDC Attends the Computacenter Sales Kick-Off 2013

RDC — Fri, 15 Feb 2013 11:13:20 +0000

On the 9th February Martin Series, Claire Johnson, Andy Warner and Sarah Johnson of the RDC sales team along with RDC Managing Director Gerry Hackett attended parent company Computacenter UK Sales Kick-Off Event held at the prestigious Celtic Manor in Newport, South Wales.

With attendance by the entire Computacenter UK sales team, this event is always a great opportunity to get a review of the previous year’s performance and the strategy and plans for the year ahead from the Chairman, Chief Executive, UK Sales Director and Group Operations Director of Computacenter. It is also an opportunity to meet face to face with many of our friends and colleagues that we otherwise often rely by communicating by phone and email throughout much of the year.

This year Computacenter invited guests from EMC and their US Partner CompuCom to give their views of the market and technology changes. Both parties discussed our changing use of technology and the opportunities this brings with the ‘cloud’ and growing need for storing and analysing large amounts of data. Much like Computacenter CompuCom is experiencing a growth in providing datacenter solutions. EMC are at the forefront of developing technologies that meet this future need.

RDC gets a mention in the conference

There was also a Vendor Village attended by many of Computacenter’s major suppliers and partners including RDC. This gave us an opportunity to promote our latest services including our growing international capability and datacenter solutions. In addition this is always a great opportunity to seek feedback about the services and solutions that we now deliver. Indeed we were praised by a Client Director on our involvement and delivery of a large international datacenter project.

Of course it also enabled some of the team to talk to other vendors and take part in competitions. NetApp had a member of the Endura Professional Cycle Racing Team on their stand with a race simulator and of course Claire and Sarah with typical sales competitiveness just had to have a go.

Much harder than it looked and not necessarily dressed in the right race clothing, despite finishing in the same time over a 400m course, Claire was declared the winner!

The day was rounded off with the annual awards presentation and dinner. As ever and perhaps with even more excitement this year due to the fantastic sales performance by the Computacenter UK sales team in 2012, there was a long line of achievers being awarded their jackets, sales incentive trips, trophies and champagne.

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Garden Waste – The A to Z of How to Reuse, Reduce or Recycle Anything

RDC — Wed, 30 Jan 2013 14:54:02 +0000

Burning Garden Waste Is Dangerous

Burning garden waste produces 350 times more carcinogens than cigarette smoke and is particularly bad for children and babies so where possible compost or use the bin provided by your local council to dispose of garden waste.

Rotting wood can look attractive and attracts insects such as beetles, toads, frogs nets and lizards.

Bind and dry clippings and kindling (small dead branches) for indoor fire starters. Grass cuttings and household waste such as tea bags can be composteed producing nutrient rich soil for next years planting.

Help with disposing of or managing compost.

Garden Waste on Twitter

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Garden Chemicals – The A to Z of How to Reuse, Reduce or Recycle Anything

RDC — Wed, 16 Jan 2013 11:53:00 +0000

Reduce or better still eliminate the use of pesticide

Do you really need chemicals in your garden? Nature is good at taking care of pests on its own but a pesticide does not discriminate and will kill the insects that eat pests too.

Modern pesticides are toxic and ancient pesticides provide little or no control over what they kill. More pesticides are added to the banned list on a regular basis so careful research would be wise before aquiring any pesticide or utilising leftovers found in your shed. See Pesticide Approvals on the Health and Safety Executive website for more information on Banned and Non-Authorised Pesticides and Withdrawn Substances.

If you would like more information on gardening without chemicals visit Garden Organic at www.gardenorganic.org.uk

To dispose of garden chemicals locate your nearest local authority chemical disposal facility on the Pesticide Action Network website.

Pesticide on Twitter

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