RECOSI – A leading social franchise in the reuse of ICT
About this good practice
RECOSI’s mission is to create sustainable social franchise that supports employment for marginalised people, supports the environment through reuse and closes the digital divide. RECOSI supplies high quality refurbished ICT products to schools, non-profit organisations, SMEs, students and to all other end users, who has either limited access to IT or want to save costs. RECOSI is headquartered in Ireland and offers its services in Europe and US.
In January 2017 RECOSI has implemented successful Irish social enterprise model in Slovenia with support of local municipality Slovenska Bistrica.
Our vision is to become a leading global social franchise in the area of professional reuse and refurbishment of ICT equipment and create real jobs for disadvantaged people in the reuse industry. Goal is to create large social, economic and environmental impact globally. For the refurbishment of ICT equipment, RECOSI has signed a deal with Microsoft, through their registered refurbished scheme, to supply licences for all PCs and laptops that company sells. All software and data is wiped, company has also acquired PAS 141 standard for reuse and refurbishment of the electronic goods, so that each item is undergoing a strict process of refurbishment and it has a minimum of 12 months warranty. RECOSI established a strategic partnership with Techsoup Global, which supports NGOs with software and through their network in Slovenia and Italy already supplies high quality hardware.
Resources needed
For set up the work processes and accredited reuse centre in the proper building, would need an investment approximately 300,000 EUR and 5 people:
-1x general manager
-1xMarketing/sales
-1x technician
-1x operation manager
-1xadministration
Evidence of success
Recosi fully operates since 2014 and in this time has reused more than 150.000 pcs of ICT, employs 25 people (1/3 disadvantaged) and has its operations in Ireland, US and Slovenia.
Potential for learning or transfer
This practice could be transferred to any other country or region, it has been already established in 3 locations (Ireland, US and Slovenia). Practice can be implemented as social franchise, RECOSI will support interested potential organisation in the whole processes of establishment (required capital investment, establishment of supply chain, establishment of processing/production and support in marketing).
The potential organisation is preferred to be a social enterprise, whose mission is to provide job for disadvantaged people. Organisation must have also good business skills, established a good network and good connection with local community / municipality.
Further information
Website
Good practice owner
You can contact the good practice owner below for more detailed information.
RECOSI