Hardware recycling firm creates five jobs with Rosebud loan
Recycle IT, IT disposal, recycling and asset management service provider, has recruited five new engineers and sales staff and strengthened its recycling facility in Burnley, enabling it to meet increased demand and continue with its strong growth plans.
The firm refurbishes, reuses and recycles IT equipment, focusing on reducing the environmental impact of electronic waste. Through data sanitisation, erasure of devices and the selling of refurbished equipment, its team of 24 work to make the lifecycle of technology more ethical.
When the pandemic forced the UK into its first lockdown in March 2020, Recycle IT experienced a surge in demand due to the higher volume of businesses that were providing their employees with equipment to work from home while striving to meet Corporate Social Responsibility targets focused on environmental impact.
To meet this increase in demand, Recycle IT secured a six-figure loan from Lancashire County Council’s Rosebud Fund, managed by GC Business Finance, to expand its workforce with recruits from the local area.
The recruitment drive enabled Recycle IT to keep pace with its accelerated growth plans, and the business has since strengthened its 30,000 square foot facility in Burnley with improvements to its security and the fitting of a new roof.
Since receiving the support from the Rosebud fund, Recycle IT has given back to the area, supporting local schools by providing refurbished laptops to students to help with home-schooling. In January, the business donated over £15,000 worth of laptops to local charity, Impact Gamers.
Oliver Birch, finance director at Recycle IT, said: “Our strategic investment and growth plans, along with the impact of Covid-19 accelerated our business two years ahead of our projections, so the loan from Rosebud Finance came at a pivotal moment, and allowed us to make the right investment to support continual growth. We’re incredibly grateful to Jonathan and the team at Rosebud Finance and are committed to driving employment in the region and creating a focal point in the UK for ethical technology consumption.”
Jonathan Nelson, senior loans manager at Rosebud Finance, said: “As a business with a strong passion to have a positive impact, both on the environment and for local people, we were pleased to support Recycle IT with this loan. Over the last 12 months it has gone from strength to strength, and we’re really looking forward to seeing how the business continues to grow in the coming years.”
County councillor Michael Green, cabinet member for Eeconomic development, environment and planning, Lancashire County Council, said: “It is always pleasing to see our Rosebud Fund being used to create new jobs in Lancashire, and satisfying when the finance is used to support businesses playing a key role in Lancashire’s community.
“Despite the challenges of the past year, Recycle IT have demonstrated a strong purpose to support the Burnley community and reduce the environmental impact of technology waste, so it’s a great example of what the Rosebud Fund can do.”
