14/04/2009

A new venture from Birmingham City Council has seen a number of old pieces of IT equipment recycled rather than disposed of in landfill sites.

The initiative, which is led by Birmingham City Council, Digital Birmingham and Secure IT Disposals, is thought to be the first of its kind to offer businesses and domestic computer users the chance to see data destroyed to Ministry of Defence standards.

Paul Tilsley, Birmingham City Council's deputy leader, who heads up the Digital Birmingham partnership, said that the disposal of IT equipment is becoming an increasingly pressing issue.

'Research last year showed that only 20 per cent of the six million items of electronic equipment thrown away annually are recycled. This initiative with Secure IT makes us one of the leading UK authorities to address the issue of IT waste, and it's heartening to see that it's been so enthusiastically taken up by businesses and residents.'

The service picks up old and unwanted IT equipment door-to-door.