Positive News

Neil Wintrip, Founding Director of Devon-based A1 Positive Recycling (www.a1prp.co.uk), is passionate about what the project is achieving within the South West communities it serves. The not-for-profit social enterprise has been established within the Devon community since 1992, although it started out life as a recycling centre for televisions and video players. In 1997, Neil learned about building computers from a friend and since then the organisation's focus has been on recycling computers, mobile phones and ink cartridges as well as providing training and work experience for volunteers, typically younger people that have just left school and are keen to get some work skills under their belts.

The recycling side of the operation takes in old equipment from schools and local businesses that have upgraded to new systems and then refurbishes that equipment to be sold on to willing customers – businesses and consumers – that want a new bit of kit but don't want to pay high street prices.

“The first system we sold back in 1997 was an entire multimedia package, including keyboard, mouse and monitor, for £100,” Neil explained. “We've been selling on refurbished PCs to the community since and our customers come back to us for system upgrades. I've had many people say to me that they prefer coming to us rather than some of the large high street chains because they feel we are better qualified to guide them on what to buy than their staff. Local businesses are very supportive of our work and it's also viewed positively by community groups as we can get kids off the streets to work with us as volunteers.”

The organisation depends upon the volunteers Neil can bring in as without their time and effort the organisation would not be as well marketed in the local Exeter area as it is. Neil also trains volunteers to help recycle and sort the equipment donated from organisations and to liaise with the organisation's partner charities which can also receive old equipment on behalf of A1 Positive Recycling, effectively acting as an agent. “Charities themselves can't house much of the larger equipment that we can,” Neil explained, “but people will often look to charities to offload much of these older systems so these partnerships are important to both parties.”

A1 Positive Recycling is a good example of how a project can help out the wider community, plus the environment, by teaming up with organisations across the area, reducing the amount of waste going to landfill and also helping end users – businesses and average Joes – to gain access to affordable, usable IT equipment. That it also gives community members the opportunity to get involved, perhaps enhancing their skill-sets in the process, is the icing on the cake.

I spoke to Neil about the organisation's aims and plans for the future and he shows no sign of slowing down. “I want to build an educational technology centre within the South West region that will be funded by our recycling and refurbishment of computer equipment, mobile phones and ink cartridges,” he said. “The centre will support vulnerable adults including those with learning difficulties. Many people come out of school or work lacking the necessary skills, whether that be in relation to IT or other hands-on business-related skills. Our aim is to empower people of all ages.” T: 01392 20 27 79. & get involved today.