Sector:  Waste Management
No.of Employees:  100
Region: UK & Republic of Ireland

Summary
Redeem was incorporated as Eurosource Europe in March 1999. Since then it has generated almost £1.5 million for charities and good causes through recycling mobile phones and printer cartridges. Exciting new projects are developing with major retailers and the company now has operations in the UK and ROI, and is soon to open in the US.

Background
Redeem was set up with minimal investment, from the Chief Executive and owner's back bedroom, in 1999. The business has grown in an organic and sustainable fashion since then, into a multi-million pound turnover company.

Responsible business objectives 
The company is positioned in a niche market with a business model and daily practices embodying CSR. The mission statement of 'making it easy' represents the ethos, and all staff relate to every customer or supplier with this premise.

How they do it

• Recycool (www.recycool.org)
  The programme allows schools to raise funds through recycling. Over 5,300 schools in the UK, Ireland and France are taking part and using Recycool to help them towards the prestigious Eco-Schools Green Flag award (www.eco-schools.org). The schools involved have raised over £200,000 for their own projects. Recycool includes an enterprise unit that allows teachers to structure the scheme as a mini-business, thus providing enterprise education to pupils.
• Recycling Appeal (www.recyclingappeal.com)
  This programme allows charities and other good causes to raise vital funds through recycling. Over £750,000 has been raised in the UK and Ireland. It costs a charity nothing to run because it is marketed, promoted and administered by Redeem. Major charity partners include Marie Curie Cancer Care, the RSPB and the British Red Cross.
• Scouts Recycling Appeal (www.scoutsappeal.com)
  Over 1,800 Scout Groups around the UK are currently recycling with the programme, which has seen over £250,000 donated to these Scout groups. Redeem also sponsors the Scouts Community Badge that promotes Scouts becoming more active in their local environment.
• Reach Team
  The Reach Team implements Redeem's internal CSR policies. Positives to-date include 12 half days paid leave for volunteering (available to all staff), free fresh fruit for all staff, smoking cessation talks and a month's supply of nicotine replacement treatments, a weekly slimming club, time off for blood donation, free gym trials, as well as ongoing policies of equality and diversity in the workplace.
  

 What impact it has

• Good Causes
  The many charities, schools and Scout Groups working with Redeem benefit financially and receive publicity for their efforts.

• Employees
  The work that the Reach Team undertakes, together with the positive impact the company has on the environment and good causes, provides a real 'feel good' factor in the workplace. Redeem's awards serve as constant reminders that the company is amongst the best - so staff know they are part of something that will grow and grow.

• Environment
  Potentially hazardous waste is diverted from landfill, including cadmium, which is found in some mobile phone batteries, and carcinogenic carbon black, which is found in some printer inks. Over 5,000 tonnes of mobile phones and printer cartridges have been reused by Redeem in the last 6 years.

• End Users
  The businesses and individuals around the world who donate unwanted or used phones and cartridges benefit from excellent PR opportunities, through assisting good causes and through aiding the environment.
  

Business Benefits
The company has grown to achieve a turnover of over £3 million in 2004, and now employs over 100 members of staff across several countries. The environmentally-friendly story that Redeem tells is very powerful, leading to new business and gaining extensive media coverage.

They have won a number of awards bringing them increased publicity including:

2005 - Highly Commended, Impact on Society, Business in the Community
2005 - Small Business of the Year, Scottish Business in the Community
2005 - Big Tick for Environmental Excellence, Business in the Community
2005 - Big Tick for Impact on Society, Business in the Community
2005 - Winner, Corporate Citizenship Award, Scottish Awards for Business Excellence

and accreditations:

ISO 9001 Quality Management
ISO 14001 Environmental Management
Investors in People
Positive about Disabled
EMAS Eco-Management and Audit Scheme
Community Mark Pledge Company
Scotland's Health at Work (Bronze)

This company is currently working towards CommunityMark accreditation