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Recycle-IT! | Equipment Listing

Each system is custom-built to meet your budget requirements using a combination of recycled and new components. It is fully bench-tested to ensure absolute reliability.

We offer an informative before-sales service: most of our customers are first-time computer users and rely on our friendly "non-techie" advice about what kind of computer meets their needs.

 

Recycle-IT! | Export

Expanding Partnerships across the World
Recycle-IT! was formed in 1995 by Michele Rigby and George Ruddock and is the UK’s foremost national not-for-profit computer recycling company providing refurbished computers for schools, NGOs and Charities. As a small business with little international experience, they decided to join the UK Trade & Investment’s Passport to Export programme to develop a structured, proactive export strategy and to develop strategic alliances with appropriate agencies and government authorities abroad.

Recycle IT! currently exports to a wide range of countries including the former Soviet Union, Africa, Pakistan, Poland and Jamaica. They hope to continue to expand their partnerships within other European Union countries and to fill increasing requests from other parts of the world, particularly Africa, Eastern Europe and Central Asia.

Main achievements have been a joint venture with The Meerim Foundation in Kyrgyzstan to supply 20,000 PC’s to 2000 schools over three years. Recycle-IT! also received an initial order for 300 computers for schools in Georgia financed by international financier and philanthropist George Soros.

Recycle-IT! recently had an order for a 20ft container load of computers in Georgia. Delivered in early November '04, the shipment containing a 300 computer systems was destined for local schools.

The not for profit company specialises in IT equipment recycling. Its latest order follows direct contact with Mikheil Chachkunashvili, chairman of the executive board of the Open Society Georgia Foundation, during a visit to Georgia to celebrate the delivery of the company's initial order reported in June (c.f. Recycled computers exported to schools in Kyrgyzstan and Georgia, 21 June 2004).

UK Trade & Investment, through the commercial staff at the British Embassy in Tbilisi, provided a high level of support and assistance to George Ruddock, co-founder of Recycle -IT!, during his recent market visit. Mr Ruddock's trip included a full programme of meetings with high-ranking and influential government ministers and local officials including the mayor of Tbilisi, the head of education service of Tbilisi and the deputy minister of education.

Mr Ruddock said: "I am absolutely delighted to have been able to visit Georgia for the delivery of our first consignment of computers. It's been an excellent trip that has opened a number of doors for Recycle IT!

"The staff at the Embassy were particularly helpful, and provided a list of British companies currently working in Georgia that are potential donors of redundant computer equipment - something we are always looking for."

Further opportunities exist for school, universities, prisons and even some government departments. With expressions of interest received from two other organisations in Georgia, prospects are good for much bigger business in future.

Mr Ruddock estimates long-term prospects in Georgia to be equal to the success achieved in Kyrgyzstan where Recycle IT! has won contracts to supply over 20,000 computers over a three-year period. Further visits to the market are planned over the next 12 months.

Overall, exports have increased from 14 to 33 per cent of total sales; new markets include Ghana, Nigeria and Poland; and the company has had enquiries from 20 other developing countries.

Being a pioneer requires courage, determination and a willingness to take risks. George Ruddock explains how Recycle-IT! has carved itself a niche as an exporter and challenges other social enterprises to say hello to a more global community.