Circular Economies
25th October 2019
The Guernsey Recycling Group (GRG), including Galaxy CI, is supporting the Chamber of Commerce Sustainable Business Initiative; and will be presenting further information about the science and technology of recycling and waste management; and the recycling routes available to both domestic and commercial customers in Guernsey early in the new year.
Sustainability is a complex topic. It’s all too easy to assume that we can’t make a difference, and it’s all too easy, therefore, not to. It’s hard to know where to start.
But the issues affecting our environment didn’t happen overnight… Whether we’re talking about micro plastics or the loss of biodiversity …. These issues are the result of an accumulative effect.
Collectively, it is individual actions that led to these issues; and collectively, it is individual actions that will create the change necessary to resolve them.
Don’t feel overwhelmed. You don’t have to become a vegan, or quit your day job and become a full time activist (unless you want to). None of us can change the world alone; but all of us can do it together.
Approximately 70% of the worlds’ resources are used by businesses. Collectively, as part of the commercial sector, and as individual consumers, we can have a huge impact on the shape of our supply chains, the way our products our designed, and the way we re-use them, and whether we can recycle them at end of life.
As consumers, we can create change through our purchasing behaviours. This is a simple step: make a choice about the kind of economy that makes the world go round. We can create a circular economy. Chose sustainable designs; chose recyclable packaging; chose recyclable products; chose fewer miles travelled; chose suppliers and contractors who are compliant with environmental best practice. Supply Chain Auditing is important where customers want to ensure their recycling and waste is processed responsibly.
The Reduce, Reuse, Recycle mantra is based on the waste hierarchy: we should reduce our use of resources, re-use wherever possible, and recycle at end of life.
Galaxy offers a secure, certified Data Erasure Service which means the risk of data loss is effectively managed, and the hardware can be reused. Like our Data Shredding and Recycling Services, an Evidence Certificate is generated for every device erased.
If re-use is not a viable option (perhaps there is no market value for the hardware) then we recycle redundant computer hardware after the data has been securely destroyed. This means precious metals and materials are re-used in manufacturing, and manufacturing from recycled materials is a less energy intensive process than manufacturing from raw resources.
Galaxy is careful to audit its supply chains, and ensure these recycling processes are undertaken safely, and responsibly, in the UK and EU.
Please get in touch to discuss the different options available, so that you can chose a route that suits your company’s security requirements and your environmental and CSR policies. Contact our Business and Compliance Manager Fran Browning via frances.browning@galaxyci.com or call us on 01481 242412.
If you would like to volunteer as a Sustainability Champion in your Industry, or would like to find out more, contact the Sustainable Business Initiative.
