Richard Levick

LONDON: JUST as the global economy has been reshaped over the last decade, it will surely be further transformed over the next 10 years.

Recycling is one of the fast-growing sectors of the recent past and seems destined to become one of the key industries of the future.

In the United Kingdom, one company that started in business by recycling mobile phones almost 10 years ago is now a leading player in the electronic recycling market.

Established in 2002, the company, ShP, has evolved from business-to-business handset recycling to offering mobile phone recycling services to many groups: from phone networks and government bodies, through to the public. It now operates throughout the UK, Europe and other parts of the world.

ShP (second-hand phones) employs more than 80 people in Lancaster, northern England and provides electronic recycling services to many businesses, working with some of the globe's biggest brands.

The company now collects thousands of old phones, ipods and laptops every week. They are refurbished where possible, stripped of their data and sold to developing countries.

ShP holds an ISO 27001 qualification, an international security standard that ensures full and secure data wiping of all electronic products that are recycled or re-used.

Its director and co-founder Simon Walsh said: "As companies seek to reduce their carbon footprint, we have tapped into the green market by offering to recycle the UK's estimated 70 million unwanted mobile phones. We have managed to become a leading European recycling and re-use specialist for electronic products."

He continued: "Craig Smith, my business partner, and I formed ShP in 2002 after we met when we were both working for one of the UK's largest network operators. While we were employed there, we realised that there was a market for mobile phone re-use."

ShP started life in a garage in south London. "Once we had tested the market and devised our business plan, we moved up to a small office in Lancaster - where Craig is from - and employed his sister and mum to help with admin and operations. The office doubled up as a warehouse - which we soon outgrew," added Walsh.

"In our first year we had a turnover of 30,000 pounds and employed two people. By 2009 we were turning over just under nine million pounds, with a workforce of 75 people. We have become one of the UK's leading electronic recycling companies both online and offline through our various brands, including mopay.co.uk, the first online phone recycling website."

Although the core business remains mobile phone recycling - ShP receives about 60,000 a month - the company also recycles laptops, MP3 players, digital cameras, sat-navs, desktops, printers and other small consumables.

The need for consumers to recycle redundant electronic devices is more pertinent than ever because the European WEEE (waste electrical and electronic equipment) directive has been introduced to set out how to deal with unwanted electrical items.

If disposed of incorrectly, electronic devices can end up at landfill sites where they can potentially cause serious harm to eco-systems and the environment.

"The sheer growth of the recycling sector has meant we have had to grow rapidly to save being left behind," said Simon Walsh. "One of the main challenges has been the organic expansion of the business with no outside investment. As our company has developed, we have ensured that our staff have drive and determination, understand the company ethos and enjoy being part of a young exciting business."

The business has strong links with leading retailers and recently set up partnerships in countries including the United Arab Emirates, Spain and Italy. In 2011 it hopes to build on the recent expansion into the Middle East and open new ventures around the world.