As we reflect on the journey, we've taken at Echo in 2024 there will be several highlights that contribute to the overall sense of achievement.

Our vision is to become known as a sustainability partner for all New Zealanders recovering 20,000 tonnes of e-waste annually by the end of 2028 and offering New Zealand enterprises the most secure, sustainable, transparent and accessible life cycle solution, is our mission.

This year we focused on an ambitious strategy to advance this vision and mission by rebranding our Auckland and Wellington businesses to become a single organisation with 2facilities, upgrading our ERP system to give greater visibility on material as it makes its way through our systems, undertaking a significant review and upgrade of our physical and data security capability and by offering a wider range of core services to clients around the country. We also broadened our range of core services, strengthening our ability to support corporate electronics recycling and deliver tailored enterprise e-waste management solutions to demonstrate the success of this, we have already accepted 92% of the total weight we received last year and there is still 3 months to go. We're on track to handle 4 million kilograms of e-waste this year—a tremendous accomplishment for our team and clients.

We have had plenty of internal recognition with great feedback from existing clients and a steady stream on new clients onboarded throughout the year. This is fantastic for the business and particularly important for the team who can see the connection between how hard they work and the contribution that makes to growth for the business.

There is no doubt however that external recognition also has its place. It somehow seems all the more validating when someone from the outside looks in at what you do and attaches value to it.

The Kiwi way is not to toot your own horn, but this year has been particularly significant for Echo and being able to keep growing at such a fast rate whilst maintaining high service standards is something we have taken pride in and worked hard to deliver. In turn to have the work we do recognised by others helps to let us know what we are on the right track.

• Awards and Achievements: In October, we were nominated for the Tāmaki Makaurau Zero Waste Awards. By November, we had secured the Excellence in Sustainability Award at the Two Degrees Auckland Business Awards.
• Deloitte Fast 50: Perhaps our crowning achievement was being ranked #12 on the Deloitte Fast 50 Index for 2024, with a growth rate of 338% over the past two years.

Whilst it is always great to get external recognition the real value of these awards is the validation it gives the team in our business, that the work they do, day in and day out, is finding its mark and their individual contribution is making a difference. Alongside this is the confidence it can offer our clients that they are working with an organisation that knows what it does well and strives to keep improving.

Our values drive all we do and two of them in particular capture this.‍

• Constant Improvement:
  
  • To make the maximum impact we must strive, both individually and as a team, to do better all the time‍‍
• ‍Awards and Achievements:
  • By always striving and pushing hard we make sure we can exceed every goal we set.

At the scale we operate, there's no room to “fake it.” Every interaction, every kilogram of e-waste processed, and every report we deliver is a testament to our unwavering commitment to transparency, best-in-class practices, and impactful results.

The Bigger Picture: Advocating for Sustainable E-Waste Management

Sustainable e-waste solutions are critical for reducing landfill and enhancing environmental outcomes. In a sector still finding its footing, gaining public recognition is a powerful way to raise awareness.

Our work in corporate electronics recycling not only benefits the environment but also strengthens the role of enterprise e-waste management as a vital component of modern business practices. By promoting responsible disposal and offering secure business IT asset recovery services, we’re driving a cultural shift toward sustainability.

E-waste often flies under the radar, with minimal regulatory mandates addressing its negative impacts. By earning accolades and acknowledgment, we shine a light on the importance of responsible e-waste management and inspire others to follow suit.

At Echo Tech, we take immense pride in our work and the recognition we’ve received. These achievements motivate us to stay focused and committed to delivering sustainable, transparent, and impactful solutions for e-waste in New Zealand.

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