The REI was set up in 1999 to make IT disposal simple, safe and secure. We offer information and advice on your recycling options and put you in touch with social enterprises in the Yorkshire and Humber region that can recycle, refurbish and safely dispose of your old IT equipment.

As well as helping you find a suitable recycler for your used IT equipment this site can direct you to REI members who sell refurbished IT equipment. Re-using IT components and equipment is a great way to reduce the carbon footprint of your IT kit. And when you purchase refurbished equipment from a REI member you can be confident your supplier works to a code of conduct and operates quality assurance systems.

This code of conduct explains why it’s important to dispose of IT equipment in a responsible way and what legislation individuals and companies now have to comply with. And it explains the environmental, economic and social benefits of professional IT disposal.

In 1997, independent waste management consultants SWAP (Save Waste & Prosper) were asked by the government to carry out research into the disposal of WEEE (waste electrical and electronic equipment) in Yorkshire and Humber.

The initiative’s aim was to help members of the public, businesses, and other organisations to find information about how they could properly dispose of their IT waste at its end of life. It would act as a one-stop-shop, bringing together recyclers and those who had old technology to dispose of.

In 2000 members agreed to sign up to a code of conduct  - at the time the only auditable code of conduct in the community-recycling sector. A rebranding exercise was also carried out and leaflets drawn up to promote members of the REI network. Since 2004, management of the REI has been carried out jointly by its members.