We’re committed to making the world a happier, healthier, safer place through our corporate social responsibility initiatives.
We’re exceptionally proud of all our achievements and we’re always striving to do more.
In March 2020, the coronavirus sent most of the UK into lockdown. But as a large, online business, we managed to stay open and support our community.
During the early stages of lockdown, we donated £35,000 to organisations combatting the spread of COVID-19.
When Mohammed Rafiq joined the Buy It Direct team in 2018, he was tasked with reducing waste across our sites in Huddersfield, the East Midlands and Elland.
Recognising a significant portion of our waste could be recycled, Mohammed began sourcing specialist equipment and contacting dedicated recycling facilities to get it removed.
Today, we have contracts with companies that recycle cardboard, soft plastic, hard plastic, polystyrene, wood and metal. Everything gets stacked, bailed or processed, then weighed and sold by the ton. This includes delivery and packing materials, pallets and broken or returned goods.
Where we can, we also shred cardboard and reuse it for void-fill packaging.
Altogether, we have reduced skip usage at our Elland site by over 70%.
As a big business, we use a lot of electricity. And since we couldn't change our need for power, we switched where it was sourced. In April, we installed solar panels on our Elland collection point, then began scoping out initiatives for our other sites.
Now, on a sunny day, we can generate up to 1MWh. That’s the equivalent of continuously powering a home for one month.
Inside our buildings, we've invested in a specialist LED lighting system. It is up to 80% more energy efficient than traditional solutions and incorporates natural light-harvesting technology; to enhance peoples' energy levels, concentration and mental health.
Our specialist refurbishment and repair operations give a new life to old products. Over 4% of the goods we sell have been pre-owned; it's a win-win situation. It saves our customers money while reducing waste, so it's good for the environment.
We don't just sell refurbished tech. We use it around our offices; in fact, many of the computers and monitors used by our team have been preowned and carefully restored to the highest standard.
In 2018, Buy It Direct donated £15,000 worth of new HP computers and servers to the Rwanda Charity Eye Hospital.
The charity officially opened in November 2018 thanks to Piet Noë, a Dutch Ophthalmologist. Today, it employs 40 people; including two ophthalmologists, one pharmacist, two anaesthesiologists, four ophthalmic clinical officers, six general nurses, one optician, administrative staff and support staff.
The hospital has helped thousands of people in the local community suffering from ailments like cataracts and glaucoma, delivering affordable examinations, operations, glasses and prescription drugs.
“ When we started, I never dreamed the Buy It Direct Group could grow this big. So, we’ve made a promise to our employees, our customers and the world: to use our size to our advantage and do good, for good ”
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