Knowledge Centre
Are you still wondering whether disposing of your unwanted, end of life IT is the right thing to do for your business? Or maybe a school that is still not sure buying refurbished IT is cost-effective in the long run?
We speak to people in the same position of uncertainty as you most days. And from those conversations, we’ve compiled a list of answers to the questions that come up most frequently, so we can help you make informed decisions.
If your specific query is not listed, just let us know –
Our team will get straight on it and provide the answer asap!
The easiest way is to use the contact form. We’re usually able to reply to your question within a couple of days, and we will also add it to the list below!
If we haven’t answered your question, please contact one of our team rethink@recono.me
Business Questions
Yes. Alongside stock-lines on our online store, our team will work with you to affordably source any equipment in the quantity that you require. Every unit gets checked by Reconome engineers and comes with a Reconome warranty so you’ll always be receiving a great quality product.
Yes, we’ve got you covered.
A core element of our offering is our use of GDPR compliant, certified data erasure software to permanently delete all data from your devices before they are repaired or recycled.
Reconome uses Certus Software, one of only 3 vendors accredited by the UK National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) to wipe PCs, laptops, and external hard disks. Mobile devices are wiped using Phonecheck. Both Certus and Phonecheck are tested and certified by ADISA.
We also provide onsite data destruction services, please speak to a team member to find out more.
You’ll understand the CO2 emissions and waste that were avoided, and recovered critical materials by using Reconome’s services. This is calculated by an impact calculator that was built in-house from the ground up, led by Michele, our sustainability manager, using verified data and methodologies. We also break out the % of devices reused, where they went and how they were reused.
All reports are thoroughly explained and can be used internally by managed or externally by clients, shareholders and the general public. We can also provide marketing assets that can be shared on social media.
Our reporting is constantly evolving based on the feedback we receive from our clients. If you have any specific requests, we’ll happily do our best to incorporate these into your impact reporting.
Except for non-working white goods, if it’s got a plug or battery, we’ll take it. That means we’ll take laptops, computer equipment, monitors, peripherals, audio equipment, kitchen electronics, consumer electronics, related accessories like cables and chargers, and much more.
We don’t take light bulbs or fluorescent light tubes. We can, however, take batteries if these can be separated in a bag or box.
Once back at Reconome, devices are sorted and tested, refurbished and go out refreshed and ready to be reused once again. We even sort and reuse the smallest of cables.
- Collect – We collect unwanted IT equipment and devices from businesses and households across London.
- Wipe & Refurbish – 100% of data is wiped clean by leading software. Our engineers can typically repair 3 out of 4 devices received.
- Reuse – Refurbished devices are resold with 1-3 year warranties. Lower prices, less resources – better for the planet and your wallet.
- Recycle – Anything we can’t fix gets responsibly recycled by our specialised partner facilities – leaving landfills out of the loop.
*If you need refrigerators, A/C units, or white goods collected, we can only collect these items if they are in working condition, and we’ll need to charge you a handling fee.
For non-working white goods, please contact your local council, take these items to your local recycling centre. If you are purchasing a replacement, your retailer may offer a take-back option.
Yes, we’ve got you covered!
We back up our work with 12-36 month warranties. That’s longer than on most new laptops!
We’re proud of our quick service to help you work through any issues in the rare cases that they do occur.
Much of the electrical and electronic equipment (EEE) used in the UK and Ireland is regulated by the EU. They control the levels of certain hazardous substances and chemicals contained in EEE to protect our health (human and animal).
Currently, the legislation restricts the use of ten substances. Seven of those can be found in computers or laptops, in varying degrees, dependent on the manufacturer, but within the recommended safe levels:
Lead (Pb) – modern computers have it only in PCBs.
Hexavalent chromium (Cr VI)
Mercury (Hg)
Cadmium (Cd)
Brominated flame retardants (BFRs)
Phthalates
PVC (Polyvinyl chloride) – HP eliminated it
It’s a complicated topic with many variables. If you would like to read more, we recommend taking a look at the study by Greenpeace.
We can reassure you that we refurbish or recycle all IT devices you donate and ensure we comply with EU safety regulations before sending them on to their second life with schools, charities or SMEs. On the rare occasion we cannot repair a device, we use our network of trusted specialised recycling partners. They provide us with an impact report stating where each component ends up, with proof it is not in a landfill site. That report is passed to you.
When you choose to refurbish your IT equipment or dispose of e-waste responsibly (WEE), you can reduce your IT carbon footprint by up to 80%
A bonus here is that your business also saves money. Your original financial investment in IT assets will last longer and you will not have the demanding task of sourcing new IT, saving time and money!
This may surprise you, but only two per cent of the materials that make up your PC are not recyclable. So, the remaining 98% made up of the casing, the keyboard and monitor, the circuit board and batteries, the glass – and even the cables – can all be put to good use.
When you consider that, it’s easy to choose to make your old equipment available for recycling. And by doing so, you are reducing the need for manufacturing new materials, so recycling your IT will save associated energy costs.
Collections start from £30 including VAT. Our prices are determined by:
- Distance
- Volume
- Number of non-working items, especially those requiring specialised disposal
- Access only available by stairs
If your strategy is to stick your old IT assets in the wheelie bin out the back, then think again. This action will mean your old IT will end up in a landfill. Once there, it will emit toxic chemicals into the atmosphere. When that happens, your actions will negatively impact the surrounding soil and, inevitably, the air we breathe.
Education Questions
Does your school have a limited budget, but you’re not sure if purchasing recycled IT could end up costing more in the long run?
It’s a question we get asked frequently… and also leads on to many other questions. Usually, it’s because it’s a complex topic with specific individual circumstances for each school.
To help you make an informed decision, we’ve put together a list of the questions that come up most frequently – along with the answers, of course!
If your specific query is not listed, please let us know using the contact form or by calling us. We will reply to your question within a few days and also add it to the list below so others can benefit.
To get answers linked to the Is recycled IT right for my school? question, check below.
Yes. Alongside stock-lines on our online store, our team will work with you to affordably source any equipment in the quantity that you require. Every unit gets checked by Reconome engineers and comes with a Reconome warranty so you’ll always be receiving a great quality product.
Yes, we’ve got you covered!
We back up our work with 12-36 month warranties. That’s longer than on most new laptops!
We’re proud of our quick service to help you work through any issues in the rare cases that they do occur.
- 80% of full value if paid immediately (receive £4,000 now)
- 90% of full value if paid in 30 days (receive £4,500)
- 100% if paid in 60 days (receive full £5,000)
The safety of children in schools is of paramount importance to us. Therefore the equipment they use must be safe.
When choosing a reputable provider like Reconome, you can be sure all equipment is electrically safe and holds no harmful information.
We recommend you check whichever provider you choose is appropriately certified.
Also, make sure they use data wiping software certified by the National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) and the Asset Disposal and Information Security Alliance (ADISA).
Recycled IT equipment should be as good as new, which means that a reputable provider will always offer a warranty.
Depending on the device, recycled IT equipment you purchase should come with a warranty of at least 12 months and possibly as much as 36 months. That’s often as good as the typical warranty offered on a new laptop – if not better!
Sadly, in most cases, no!
There is a lot of work involved when preparing IT equipment for its second life’. For example, the data must be wiped. They need to be inspected, refurbished, reconfigured, bot inside and out, ready for their new purpose.
Once our experienced (and magical) engineers have been through all the necessary processes, the devices are guaranteed for up to 3 years, giving you peace of mind.
So, although purchasing recycled IT does incur a cost, it will be much less than you would spend buying IT equipment from traditional suppliers.
Whatever your school’s needs, you should be able to find great recycled equipment to meet them. That includes laptops or desktop PCs complete with keyboard, monitor and mouse.
Do you need enough equipment for a classroom suite? A good supplier of recycled IT equipment, like Reconome, will be able to help you.
- Collect – We collect unwanted IT equipment and devices from businesses and households across London.
- Wipe & Refurbish – 100% of data is wiped clean by leading software. Our engineers can typically repair 3 out of 4 devices received.
- Reuse – Refurbished devices are resold with 1-3 year warranties. Lower prices, less resources – better for the planet and your wallet.
- Recycle – Anything we can’t fix gets responsibly recycled by our specialised partner facilities – leaving landfills out of the loop.
*If you need refrigerators, A/C units, or white goods collected, we can only collect these items if they are in working condition, and we’ll need to charge you a handling fee.
For non-working white goods, please contact your local council, take these items to your local recycling centre. If you are purchasing a replacement, your retailer may offer a take-back option.