A Celebration of Sustainability Leadership
Circular Computing is proud to announce an important achievement at the CRN UK Sustainability in Tech Awards 2025. The company has been named Sustainability Champion (Channel Service Provider), while our Founder and CEO, Rod Neale, has been recognised as a Sustainability Unsung Hero.
These awards represent a significant milestone for Circular Computing, as they highlight not only our achievements but also the growing recognition of a more sustainable approach in the IT sector. CRN’s acknowledgement signifies the industry’s shift towards a more ethical and sustainable direction, and we remain dedicated to driving this transformation.
This achievement would not have been possible without the commitment of our team, the support of our partners and the dedication of our customers. Their collective belief in a more sustainable future helps us drive meaningful impact.
The Journey to Recognition
Our vision began in 2015, grounded in the belief that technology could be reimagined to do less harm whilst still delivering the high-quality performance businesses need. From the outset, we aimed to build the world’s first purpose-built laptop remanufacturing facility, one that prioritised our team members and set a premium benchmark for remanufactured laptops.
That vision became a reality in February 2017, when we opened the doors to our remanufacturing factory in the UAE. The UAE was carefully chosen, not only for its historical ties but also for its ability to attract some of the most talented technicians in the world. Their skills, innovation and expertise have been crucial in helping us produce remanufactured laptops that are ‘equal to or better than new‘ as required by the BS standards 8887-220.
The E-Waste Crisis in IT
The IT industry has long been associated with innovation, yet it is undeniably wasteful. Each year, an astonishing 272 million new laptops are manufactured. Yet alongside this, more than 160,000 old laptops are discarded daily in the EU alone, contributing heavily to resource consumption, pollution and e-waste.
Worryingly, much of this e-waste ends up in locations where it is improperly handled, often shipped to developing countries despite regulations intended to prevent this. On these sites, local communities including children are exposed to hazardous materials, causing severe health and environmental harm.
Crucially, an estimated 70% of these discarded laptops could still be reused. Extending the operational life of devices not only conserves raw materials and energy but also reduces waste, offering a tangible way to address these challenges. While the repercussions of inaction are becoming more visible, so too is the realisation that reuse is a viable and necessary response.
What is CRN and Why Does It Matter?
CRN UK is a key voice in the IT channel, providing essential updates on trends, news and events shaping the industry. It serves a wide audience of solution providers, including systems integrators, value-added resellers and managed service providers.
The Sustainability in Tech Awards celebrate organisations and individuals leading the charge for more sustainable practices. Circular Computing’s awards spotlight the importance of ethical and environmentally conscious action in the tech industry.
The Weight of These Awards
Being named Sustainability Champion is an enormous achievement for us. This title reflects our position as a transformative force helping IT businesses move towards sustainable alternatives. Our Circular Remanufacturing Process, backed by the BSI Kitemark certification, illustrates this commitment. It’s not just about producing carbon-neutral laptops; it is about redefining the very concept of “new” in computing.
Meanwhile, the recognition of Rod Neale as a Sustainability Unsung Hero paints a deeply personal picture of the vision that powers our work. Rod has passionately led the drive for a circular economy in technology, blazing a trail for companies to rethink waste and resource consumption for the betterment of our planet. His leadership motivates us all to push for greater accountability across the industry.
In Rod’s own words, “There was the gap in the market as I saw it years ago, that was the bit that nobody was servicing correctly. There were some great companies doing great things in that space and trying to get that used equipment back into that world, but the problem with that world is that Boeing is never going to buy a variable risk product,” he explained, referring to the challenges of remanufactured laptops.
“We take the product when it’s had its first life, then we manufacture every part of it and then put it back in. That’s where the value is going to come from in the future, the world is going in that direction,” he continued, highlighting the importance of remanufacturing in creating reliable, high-quality products.
“As much as the Boeings of the world are going to ask for sustainability, because they’re all charged with making that happen, there was this gap in the market that I saw,” he concluded, emphasising the growing demand for sustainable practices in the industry.
Sustainability is a Shared Responsibility
The IT industry is at a crossroads. The unsustainable pace of e-waste generation and resource extraction is no longer a problem of the future – it’s a problem of now. By demonstrating the viability of remanufacturing at scale, Circular Computing aims to inspire others to see sustainability as not just a possibility, but a responsibility.
Winning these awards is much bigger than us. They signify a growing recognition of the important work happening across the sector to reduce waste, lower emissions and create products that do no harm. It signals a shift in thinking that is long overdue, where people realise that sustainability in technology is not only beneficial for the planet but also for business.
Looking Ahead
This double win at the CRN UK Awards isn’t an endpoint, it’s a milestone. Our goal remains ambitious but clear: to reshape the IT industry towards more ethical and sustainable behaviours. We’ll continue to lead the charge, proving that remanufactured doesn’t mean second best.
We invite everyone, from individual consumers to IT leaders, to join our mission. Together, we can challenge outdated norms and build a landscape where progress doesn’t come at the planet’s expense.
Progress is possible. We’re just getting started.
