True innovation fuels the circular economy’s growth

Emeka Nwadike, CEO, Reuse Technology

This is the second time you’ve joined us as a judge. How did you find the experience the first time round?

I thoroughly enjoyed participating in the judging of the inaugural Circular Tech Awards. It was a great honour to be invited to the judging panel and witness firsthand the remarkable work the nominees are doing to advance the Circular Economy.

What do you look for when reviewing an application?

When reviewing an application, I focus on the organisation’s innovative approach to the industry.  True innovation fuels the circular economy’s growth.  I also assess their passion and drive to positively impact the environment and their partners and customers.

Are you seeing a shift in the IT refurbished industry? Are companies switching on to the benefits?

Yes, I’m seeing a positive shift in the IT Refurbished industry.  Geopolitical issues, supply chain problems, computer memory shortages and the realisation that raw materials for IT equipment are finite are all contributing factors.  The effective collection processing and reuse of these items will remain crucial.

As an entrepreneur, what advice would you offer someone looking at launching a business in the circular tech industry?

I would say don’t build a circular business because it’s green. Build it because it solves an expensive problem. If you can save customers money, help them meet regulations, and demonstrate measurable environmental impact, you’ll create a business that is both profitable and sustainable. The combination of commercial value and environmental benefit is where the strongest circular-tech businesses are being built today.