On Wednesday 3 June, several colleagues from ICT visited Out of Use, a partner with whom the National Employment Office (ONEM/RVA) has been working for four years to process our used IT equipment. Report by Tamara Debbaut, Asset Manager at ICT.
It was a particularly interesting and informative morning. Although we were already familiar with their services, it was fascinating to see with our own eyes what happens to our devices once they leave our organisation. The visit not only gave us a better understanding of how the company operates, but also confirmed just how closely our organisations share the same values.
More than just recycling
Out of Use does much more than collect and process old laptops, monitors and other IT equipment. Its approach is based on the principle that devices should have as long a useful life as possible. Devices that can still be used are refurbished and reused. Anything that can no longer be reused is responsibly recycled in order to preserve as many valuable raw materials as possible.
During the visit, we also discovered that the work carried out by Out of Use employees is not limited to IT equipment. They also process other electronic equipment, such as fluorescent lamps, medical devices (including AEDs), and even airbags and batteries from electric vehicles. We were surprised to see just how much the company’s expertise has expanded and how many different material streams it manages sustainably.
Out of Use is also strongly committed to sustainability beyond its core activities. At its site, the team maintains its own “Bee to Bee” beehives, which are now home to more than 25,000 bees—a great illustration of the importance the company places on biodiversity and its broader commitment to the environment.
We were also impressed by the growth Out of Use has experienced in recent years. Thanks to a clear mission and a strong focus on quality and sustainability, the company has become a key partner for organisations throughout Europe in a relatively short period of time.
During our visit, we were given a behind-the-scenes look at the team’s day-to-day activities. We saw how devices are inspected, how data is securely destroyed and how materials are carefully sorted for reuse or recycling.
Shared values
The visit showed us just how closely Out of Use’s vision aligns with the values of our organisation.
Trust
A partnership that has already lasted four years is built on trust. During the visit, we gained insight into the company’s operations and processes. This transparency reinforces the trust we place in them as an organisation and confirms that our equipment is in good hands.
Respect
For us, respect means, among other things, treating people, resources and information with care. At Out of Use, particular attention is paid to secure data processing and privacy protection, which is an essential consideration. The company also deliberately invests in social employment and works with sheltered and adapted-work enterprises, thereby making a positive contribution on a social level as well.
The public interest
As a public institution, we strive to make decisions that contribute to the public interest. By working with a partner committed to reuse, recycling and the circular economy, we jointly contribute to a more sustainable society and the responsible use of raw materials.
Professionalism
Out of Use employees are experts in their field and work in accordance with clear quality and safety standards. This professionalism provides an important foundation for our partnership.
Corporate social responsibility
Today, more than ever, sustainability is a shared responsibility. The visit highlighted how Out of Use translates that responsibility into concrete actions every day. By combining environmental objectives with social impact, the company demonstrates that sustainable choices have a positive effect not only on the environment, but also on people and society.
A partnership we can be proud of
The visit to Out of Use confirmed that our partnership goes far beyond processing used IT equipment. We share the same ambition to act responsibly and sustainably, with respect for people and the environment.
By giving our IT equipment a second life or ensuring that it is responsibly recycled, together we contribute to a circular economy and a more sustainable future.
We would like to thank the Out of Use team for this visit, which not only gave us a better understanding of how the company operates, but also motivated us even more to continue working together to build a sustainable and socially responsible future.
Text by Tamara Debbaut (RVA)