147 | UK Enterprise Awards 2022 Comparison website Compare and Recycle, isn’t just about helping consumers find the best price to sell or buy pre-owned mobile phones, it’s also about minimising the harmful impact of e-waste in the environment. Company Founder, Matthew Moreton, tells us more about Compare and Recycle’s vision to promote a more circular economy. Compare and Recycle was founded in 2009, when Matthew Moreton identified a gap in the market for people to easily compare the trade-in value for their old mobile phone or gadget across multiple recycling companies. With an idea, and years of web development expertise, Matthew sought funding from an experienced entrepreneur to get the website launched. With a focus on growing the company, Matthew introduced additional revenue streams and hired a skilled team of developers and marketers. The company has since enjoyed year on year growth offering a service that has become a go-to tool for millions of customers looking to regain leftover value from their used devices. Fast forward to today, compareandrecycle.co.uk offers trade-in services for an array of personal electronics including mobile phones, tablets, digital cameras, and smartwatches. Compare and Recycle has expanded into refurbished mobile phones and provides a quick and easy way to buy a refurbished model for less by comparing deals from UK retailers. “We’ve become known for providing our customers with a simple and easy to use comparison service,” Matthew elaborates, talking of what it is that differentiates the firm from its competitors in such a fierce market. “In terms of user experience based on conversion statistics, our site beats all the competitors hands down, and this is backed up by fantastic reviews we receive on Trustpilot.” Matthew and the team also strive to consistently ‘go the extra mile’ to keep the website healthy and free from unnecessary clutter, thus providing the needed information when and where the user needs it. Due to mobile phones being a high-cost item both environmentally and financially, of late, the industry has seen a rapid increase in the interest for refurbished smartphones. As the average cost of a new flagship mobile has tripled since the inception of the company and innovation within smartphones has been stagnant, Matthew is seeing more and more people choosing refurbished phones over brand new ones. This appeals to buyers not only because of being a more sustainable option but a considerably cheaper alternative too. The Covid-19 pandemic further accelerated the popularity of refurbished items due to parts shortages for newly manufactured smartphones and subsequently delayed releases meaning higher price tags. The events of 2020 tremendously impacted the recycling of devices too. With the entire country working remotely and staying at home, it meant that devices traded in through the website would not be able to reach the recyclers. “Despite the challenges, when the pandemic hit in 2020, the team were determined to address customers’ concerns and make the process as safe as possible, laying the ground for our Collection Service,” says Matthew of the company’s solution to the lockdown crisis. “In a matter of five months, we expanded Compare and Recycle into the logistics vertical and implemented additional interaction points to provide relevant service updates on behalf of our recyclers so our customers could safely trade their used devices from the comfort of their homes and enjoy even faster turnaround. “To cater to the growing popularity and demand for refurbished devices, we’re partnering with more official refurbishers and retailers to bring even more models and deals to the refurbished range of devices.” As with many businesses, the most valuable resource is often its people and Compare and Recycle is no different in this respect. However, Matthew is a firm believer in encouraging and supporting his team members and has adopted a culture that celebrates innovation and respects Jun22615 Best Comparison Service for Mobile Phone Recycling & Refurbished Phones 2022 the commitment that each one has outside of the company, emphasising the importance of a healthy work-life balance. Recently, the firm was voted Best Comparison Service for Mobile Phone Recycling & Refurbished Phones 2022 in the UK Enterprise Awards, an accolade which is testament to the dedication and hard work of each and every member of Compare and Recycle. Matthew tells us, “We are incredibly proud that, as the company grows, we are able to remain true to our origins which are collaborative working and a desire to make a positive impact on the environment.” Being part of an industry that is tackling the growing rates of electronic waste in the UK and raising awareness about electronics recycling among consumers has encouraged Compare and Recycle to assess its contributions to climate change and now the future, is looking ‘green’ indeed. “We started with reducing the amount of energy we use in the first place and switched to Google Cloud Platform that runs on 100 per cent renewable energy to power Compare and Recycle’s infrastructure and servers,” Matthew adds. “In order to make a more significant difference Compare and Recycle plans on taking a proactive approach to minimising our scope three carbon emissions, initiate and support the change among our merchants by implementing sustainable practices and conserving resources while also supporting local communities. “At Compare and Recycle, we are on a journey to make a difference in how mobile phones enter our lives and re-join the circular economy.” Contact Details Contact: Antonia Hristov Company: Compare and Recycle Web Address: www.compareandrecycle.co.uk Compare and Recycle
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