Over the last decade, I have seen a lot of change with my business, moving from high annual growth to stability over the long term. During the same period, I have moved away from and back into distributed computing, offering up CPU time to valuable projects the world over. I have, over the same period been very fortunate to continue operating a business that recycles computer equipment on behalf of businesses and this in turn has provided the feedstock for projects such as this one.

However, unlike philanthropic efforts such as distributed computing projects, which rely solely upon the efforts of valuable volunteers, offering their CPU time, the donation of used computer hardware of the same calibre for use in homes, schools and organisations throughout the UK remains a difficult task, with both red tape and a lack of simply wanting the equipment a barrier to many potentially helpful projects. Many third sector organisations don't want second hand equipment due to a percieved lack of processing power. As a result, much of the equipment sent to us for recycling is simply turned into scrap metals, plastics and glass. That's the other reason why I opted to start up a distributed computing system again. Whilst I have a taste foe business and love the fact that this one has remained in the black since it's inception, I'm not greedy and besides, recycling computers for a living is not filled with long term prospects- it has far to much competition and one of these days, desktops and laptops will be so cheap to buy new and made from cheap materials, making the entire venture un-feasible.

However, as my father always used to say: "make hay whilst the sun shines" and that is in effect what I'm doing. We've come out of recession and as a result, many organisations are starting to upgrade their IT systems and infrastructure. At the ame time, we've changed our online marketing system, removing/ pruning out poor backlinks and changing the websites and that has resulted in more customers contacting us about our recycling service. I've also looked outside the proverbial box and now have loads of qualifications in waste management and recycling, which means that if it all goes "belly up", there are plenty of other options.

As for the recycling processes and the waste IT hardware we recycle: Well, over the last 6 years we've seen massive changes in the types of waste comming in for recovery. The equipment has changed from containing high volumes of hazardous materials such as Lead, Mercury, Brominated Flame Retardants, Chromium, Cadmium and poly chlorinated Biphennals. Instead, we're seeing more EPEAT Gold, use of Zinc and Tin solder (thanks to ROHS). This means that we can recover more materials for re-use without further specialist treatment, but also means that there's less we can charge for. It also means that there's a propensity for our competitors to actually sell the old equipment to exporters- something we've always tried to avoid. The lack of hazardous materials is having a negative impact in this effect, to such a point that the BAMAKO convention was reviewed in late 2012, banning the importation of used computer equipment into the African Sub continent. However, with only 12 countries ratifying this treaty, it's being flouted by the back door!