Celebrating 5 years of AfB Slovakia: a company that changes lives and recycles IT equipment

23.06.2024

AfB Slovakia, a company focused on refurbishing IT equipment and employing disabled people, celebrates its 5th anniversary. In this blog we look at AfB Slovakia's achievements, why refurbishing IT equipment is good for the planet and how employing disabled people contributes to their inclusion in society.

Environmental and social benefits

AfB Slovakia focuses on recycling and remarketing of IT equipment, thus contributing to waste reduction and saving natural resources. In the last 5 years (from 01.01.2019 to 31.12.2023), the company has recycled and remarketed a total of 11 366 devices. These devices include printers, mobile phones, monitors, laptops, PCs, servers, tablets and other devices. Statistics of recycled and remarketed devices:

11 366 devices is a number that has contributed significantly to the reduction of e-waste. Among the devices recycled were:

• 313 mobile phones,
• 14 printers,
• 72 monitors,
• 43 laptops,
• 42 computers,
• 4 servers,
• 29 other devices,
• 9 tablets.

On the other hand, the following were remarketed and therefore returned to circulation:

• 459 mobile phones,
• 2 printers,
• 1 084 monitors,
• 7 781 laptops,
• 1 372 computers,
• 22 servers,
• 66 other devices, 
• 54 tablets.

Thus, a total of 526 devices were recycled and 10 840 devices were remarketed.

The benefits of refurbishment for the planet

Refurbishing IT equipment has several significant environmental benefits. First of all, it extends the life cycle of electronics, reducing the need to manufacture new equipment. This process not only saves natural resources, but also reduces the amount of e-waste that ends up in landfills. E-waste contains toxic substances that can contaminate soil and water, thereby harming ecosystems and human health.

In addition, refurbishing IT equipment contributes to reducing greenhouse gas emissions. The production of new electronic equipment is energy-intensive and associated with CO₂ emissions. Refurbishment reduces the demand for new equipment and thus the amount of energy needed to produce it. In the case of AfB Slovakia, our efforts contributed to a saving of 1 326 566 kg CO₂, which is equivalent to the amount of CO₂ that would have been saved if we had stopped using almost 300 000 cars for a full year.

The amount of water saved amounted to 8 158 402 litres, which is the amount of water that could fill more than 3 Olympic swimming pools. Water is a critically important resource that is increasingly threatened by climate change and rising consumption. Conserving water by refurbishing electronics is another way we can help protect this invaluable resource.

Social impacts: employment of people with disabilities

One of the main pillars of AfB Slovakia is the employment of people with disabilities. The company employs 19 people, 13 of whom are disabled. These employees play a key role in the process of refurbishing IT equipment, contributing to the overall success of the company. The employment of disabled colleagues has a social significance. These people often face barriers to finding work and integrating into society. Employment opportunities at AfB Slovakia provide them with meaningful work, a stable income and the opportunity for personal and professional growth. This improves their social and economic situation and promotes their inclusion in society. 

Working at AfB Slovakia enables them to gain new skills and experience that they can use outside the work environment. Employees have the opportunity to work in a team, solve problems and contribute to important environmental goals. All this contributes to increasing their self-esteem.

The inclusion of people with disabilities in the workforce also benefits society as a whole. A diverse working environment encourages innovation, improves company culture and sets positive examples for other companies and organisations. AfB Slovakia's employment of people with disabilities is proof that social inclusion and environmental sustainability can go hand in hand.

Real savings and benefits from 01.01.2019 to 31.12.2023

To better understand the savings and benefits of AfB Slovakia, we have translated these figures into real-world examples:

• 1 326 566 kg of reduced greenhouse gas emissions is equivalent to the amount of CO₂ that would be saved if we stopped using almost 300 000 cars for a full year. These emissions are a major contributor to global warming and climate change. Reducing emissions is key to slowing these changes and protecting the planet for future generations.
• 651 070 kg of natural resources saved is comparable to the weight of iron needed to build 65 Eiffel Towers. The extraction and processing of these raw materials often cause serious environmental damage, including pollution and loss of biodiversity. Saving raw materials helps to mitigate these negative impacts and promotes sustainability.
• 5 125 815 kWh of reduced primary energy consumption is equivalent to the annual energy consumption of approximately 1 800 households. This energy saving means less pressure on energy resources and reduces the need to produce energy from fossil fuels, which are a major cause of air pollution and climate change.
• 8 158 402 litres less water consumption is the amount of water that could fill more than 3 Olympic swimming pools. Water is an invaluable resource that is increasingly threatened by climate change and rising consumption.

Challenges and future goals

Like every company, AfB Slovakia faces various challenges. One of the main challenges is to ensure sufficient quantities of used IT equipment for refurbishment. This requires constant cooperation with companies and organizations that are willing to donate or sell their old equipment instead of throwing it away. Another challenge is raising public awareness of the importance of refurbishing IT equipment and employing people with disabilities. To achieve this, effective communication and marketing that emphasises the benefits of these activities for society and the environment is needed. AfB Slovakia has ambitious plans for the future. It wants to increase the number of employees, including those with disabilities. It also plans to improve its processes so that it can recycle and remarket IT equipment even more efficiently. 

We are an example of how a social enterprise can successfully combine environmental sustainability with the inclusion of disabled people. Their work has a significant positive impact on society and the environment, contributing to a more sustainable future. Our work is clear evidence that even small steps can lead to big changes and that combining social inclusion and environmental sustainability is a path that all modern societies should follow.

If you are interested in supporting our activities or purchasing refurbished IT equipment, please visit our e-shop www.afbshop.sk with a wide selection of refurbished IT equipment that is not only environmentally sustainable, but also affordable and high quality. By purchasing these devices you are contributing to the reduction of e-waste and supporting the employment of people with disabilities. What's more, to celebrate our 5th birthday, you will also find a 5% discount on all goods there, just enter the code AFB5 in your shopping cart (also valid on already discounted goods!!!). This code will only be valid for a few days, so hurry up ;)