We spoke to Jim Brown from Optimum Eco Group, which reuses, repairs and recycles IT and electronic goods, not least single use vapes and TV and computer screens. Incredibly, Optimum Eco Group is the only organisation in Scotland repairing, reusing and recycling display equipment on an industrial scale. In 2023 they repaired 37,000 screens for reuse – an amazing feat but also a troubling sign of our times where so many repairable screens have been thrown away as waste.
Please describe your business
Optimum Eco Group is a leading electronic and electrical resource management group, operating at the forefront of the Circular Economy, closing the loop by providing reuse, repair and recycling solutions for all types of IT, WEEE & display products. Electronics is the fastest growing waste stream globally and the group provide environmentally responsible solutions to combat and mitigate this rise, servicing public sector and private organisations across Scotland and beyond. The group encompasses two companies, CCL (North) Ltd, an industry leading IT, WEEE and data destruction specialist, and Restructa Ltd, experts in sustainable display recycling for all types of Display technologies including TVs and computer monitors.
How is your business circular?
We are continually innovating to make sure that we can reuse and repair as much of the IT and waste electronic and electrical equipment we collect as possible. We take great care in the handling of all equipment we collect to ensure that we preserve the quality of the materials.
Why is it important to you to adopt a circular model?
WEEE and IT is the fastest growing waste stream in the world. It’s therefore really important that we are reusing and repairing as much of these items as possible and raising awareness of the possibilities of reuse rather than buying new all the time.
What’s been the best thing for you about going circular?
It’s not been easy, but I think there’s a great deal of satisfaction within the business that we are making our contribution to protecting resources and providing sustainable employment opportunities in Scotland.
What’s been the biggest hurdle?
Educating and awareness raising on the benefits of reuse and repair.
In no more than 3 words, what motivates you to grow the Circular Economy?
It makes sense!
