Industry leading not-for-profit REPIC works closely with local authorities, retailers, distributors and approved authorised treatment facilities to provide legally compliant and responsible electrical and electronic waste recycling solutions. To quantify the carbon savings of electrical and electronic waste recycling, and to identify further carbon savings that may be possible, the organisation decided to take on a master's level researcher from Lancaster University.

External Affairs Manager Sarah Downes explains, “We make the arrangements for electrical waste to be collected, processed and recycled. At specialist facilities the materials from waste products are extracted and recycled and sent on for use as materials in new products. Since there is a lot of energy that goes into extracting the materials used in the products in the first place, there is a huge carbon savingfrom the recycling process.”

“We were keen to measure this carbon saving and to look at ways we could further reduce our carbon emissions from activities such as the collection and transport of electrical and electronic waste to treatment facilities.”

“Having worked on projects with Lancaster University’s Environment Centre and Management School in previous years, I was made aware of the opportunity to take on a master’s student from a connection at LUMS. We have found the experience hugely beneficial and it has been rewarding working with our researcher Matt, who is a brilliant, high calibre student.”

The opportunity for businesses to work with a researcher is part of Eco-I Northwest, which offers funded postgraduate study and R&D and innovation support to businesses across the UK’s Northwest. For REPIC, the successful applicant was Matthew Bond, a recent Biology and Geology graduate who had decided he wanted to pursue a career linked to environmental sustainability.

“My background is in science but not specifically environmental science or sustainability. However, the impact of climate change and carbon emissions was a recurring topic of discussion throughout my study and an area I was keen to explore. Since my degree wasn’t directly relevant, I thought the first step would be to get a master’s, and while researching my options I came across the opportunity to do this funded master’s by research with REPIC and Lancaster University. It looked a real challenge but one that would give me some really interesting skills.”

Matt went on to say, “I've learnt a lot from working with REPIC, attending lectures and from my four academic supervisors. I’ve had the best of both; work experience and academic learning.”

The project is now in the final stages with Matt due to complete his masters this October. This research has focused on measuring the carbon footprint of the whole electrical and electronic recycling processes that REPIC has undertaken on behalf of its electrical and electronic equipment producer members, and Matt’s focus has now shifted to the development of an optimisation tool that will use the collected carbon footprint data to identify areas where there is potential to reduce carbon emissions further.

Matt commented, “This project provided a unique opportunity to gain a funded master’s degree while also benefiting from valuable work experience. Plus, I have been offered a job starting later this year, which I certainly would not have secured if it wasn’t for the skills I've gained throughout this research project.”

Sarah added, “Matt was able to pick up how we operate very quickly, he is a complete self-starter who, with a gentle steer in the right direction has been able to work efficiently and independently. If we had attempted to do this work ourselves, we would have needed to bring in a consultant which would have been a considerable cost. Not only have the cost benefits been significant, but we’ve been able to invest in someone’s future career development while gaining valuable insights from important, high quality research.”

The Eco-I Northwest initiative is funded by the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) and is delivered by 6 of the region’s universities; Lancaster, Central Lancashire, Cumbria, Liverpool, Liverpool John Moores and Manchester Met. To find out more about business and/or graduate opportunities please visit: /global-eco-innovation/business/eco-i-nw/ or email business@cgeinnovation.org