As businesses across Essex seek meaningful ways to demonstrate social impact, new Chamber member Tier1 offers a compelling example of how sustainable practices can create lasting change. The company's innovative prison recycling programme, which earned them the prestigious King's Award for Enterprise last year, continues to break new ground in 2025.

Tier1, an IT lifecycle solutions company with facilities in Maldon and Manchester, has been pioneering change in the IT Asset Disposal (ITAD) sector for nearly 30 years. Their groundbreaking prison recycling workshop at HMP Hindley sees participants spend 30-40 hours per week learning e-waste management processes whilst developing crucial employability skills including teamwork, work ethic, and adherence to quality standards.

The programme's impact continues to grow. Since launching in 2013, over 170 participants have completed the programme, maintaining a remarkable reoffending rate of 0% – significantly lower than the UK's national average of 26%. The initiative provides comprehensive pre- and post-release support, including employability skills, health and wellbeing, housing, employment advocacy, and digital connectivity training, with societal savings now exceeding £4.5 million.

Jonathan Rose, Co-founder of Tier1, emphasised the programme's ongoing impact: “Around half of all crime committed is by people who have already been through the criminal justice system – and the cost of reoffending to the taxpayer is estimated to be as much as £18bn per annum.

“Our aim, albeit on a small scale, is to reduce this cost by providing education, training, opportunity and support for those in prison so that when they’re released they have a real chance to move on and build a new, happy, crime free life for themselves.”

The environmental impact is equally impressive. By refurbishing and recycling IT equipment that would otherwise contribute to the UK's 1.6 million tonnes of annual e-waste, Tier1 helps organisations reduce their carbon footprint whilst recovering value from legacy IT assets. A typical refurbished laptop saves 225kg CO2e compared to buying new – a 75% reduction in carbon footprint per device.

The King's Awards for Enterprise, now in their 58th year, represent the most prestigious business recognition in the UK. Recipients can display the esteemed King's Awards Emblem for five years, marking them as leaders in their respective fields.

As we move through 2025, businesses across Essex face increasing pressure to demonstrate environmental, social and governance (ESG) credentials. Tier1's award-winning model provides a practical blueprint for how companies can create measurable social value whilst addressing pressing environmental challenges.

For Essex businesses looking to enhance their sustainability credentials whilst managing IT asset disposal securely and compliantly, Tier1's award-winning approach demonstrates that doing good and doing well in business are not mutually exclusive.

To learn more about how Tier1 can help your business achieve its ESG goals through sustainable IT lifecycle management, visit www.tier1.com.