At Echo, being part of an ecosystem and working in meaningful partnerships is at the heart of everything we do. It’s more than just a business strategy; it’s a core value that guides our actions and decisions. Whether it’s collaborating with clients to recover value from their end-of-life assets or partnering with environmental experts to reduce our own carbon footprint, we know we can achieve more when we work together.

When it comes to tackling e-waste recycling, reducing landfill waste, promoting transparency, and creating positive environmental impacts, we are committed to continuous improvement. Our goal is simple yet ambitious: to recover 20,000 tonnes of e-waste by the end of 2028. But to reach this target, we know it takes more than just individual effort. It requires a culture of curiosity, collaboration, and agility—a culture that embraces finding solutions through collective action.

That’s why when the opportunity arose to sponsor Reclaim – Recycling Week, we jumped at the chance. This event presented the perfect platform to engage with the wider recycling community and showcase the work we’re doing to achieve our sustainability goals. It was also an opportunity to inspire others and help lead the way towards a more secure, sustainable, and accessible technology lifecycle solution.

Engaging Our Team

We knew that for our efforts to have real impact, our internal team had to feel involved every step of the way. Here’s what we did to ensure that:

• In the lead-up to the event, we provided our team with plenty of information and links to engage with the cause.
• We put up signage at our sites to encourage participation and raise awareness.
• During the week itself, we kept the energy up with daily quizzes (provided by the event organizers).
• Our team had access to insightful webinars on e-waste and sustainability.
• We provided a collection bin at our office for team members to drop off their own e-waste.

Engaging the Public

Engagement didn’t stop with our team. We wanted to make it easy for the public to dispose of their e-waste responsibly, so we hosted three free e-waste collection days in Auckland—one at our site, one at Westfield in Newmarket, and a third at Mount Smart Stadium, supported by ONE NZ.

In partnership with the Wellington City Council, we also organized six free e-waste collection events around the city, spread out across different locations including Southern Landfill, Tawa, Newtown, Johnsonville, and Te Aro.

Engaging Business Partners

Partnerships with businesses were key to our success. We worked with some of our major clients—2 Degrees, Kordia, Waste Management, Nestle, and Ricoh—to install free recycling bins in their offices for the week, allowing their teams to bring in unwanted e-waste from home.

Additionally, through our collaboration with the East Tamaki Business Association, we facilitated the collection of e-waste from 72 local businesses in the area. This was an example of the power of community engagement and how businesses can come together to drive positive change.

Amplifying the Effort

To ensure maximum participation, we supported the event with a robust media campaign, utilizing LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram, and direct mail. This outreach helped us reach over 80,000 people and spread the message far and wide.

The Results: A Collective Impact

The results of our efforts were significant:

• 37,957 kg of e-waste was diverted from landfills.
• 10,886 kg of greenhouse gases were avoided.

These numbers speak volumes about the power of collaboration. While each individual or organization may feel that their contribution is just a drop in the ocean, the collective impact we can achieve when we come together is truly remarkable.

The Role of Partnerships

None of this would have been possible without the invaluable partnerships that supported us along the way. From Recycling Week, which provided the tools and framework for successful activation, to our internal teams who made the most of this opportunity, the Wellington City Council that provided vital community connections, and the East Tamaki Business Association that helped engage local businesses—each partner played a crucial role in making this event a success.

But above all, it was individuals coming together as a team that truly made a difference. Whether it was a business partner who allowed us to set up recycling bins or a member of the public who brought in their e-waste, everyone contributed to this achievement.

Looking Ahead: The Power of Collective Action

As we look ahead to the next phase of our sustainability journey, we know that the path forward will require more partnerships, more collaboration, and more collective action. We’re committed to our mission of recovering 20,000 tonnes of e-waste by 2028, and we’re excited to continue engaging with partners—both new and existing—who share our vision for a more sustainable future.

When we come together, our collective efforts can create a ripple effect that leads to real, lasting change. At Echo Tech, we’re proud to be part of that change, and we can’t wait to see what we can accomplish together in the years ahead.

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