31 March 2009, Staffordshire, UK - Stone Group, a leading IT provider and the UK's largest privately owned computer manufacturer, has become the first UK IT manufacturer to operate its own on-site recycling facility, following a half million pound investment. The facility, which received its permit from the Environment Agency in November 2008 gives customers the complete assurance that the disposal of PCs and other IT equipment will be carried out in line with WEEE regulations.

The European Commission recently estimated that only a third of ‘waste, electrical and electronic equipment' (WEEE) is treated in accordance with WEEE legislation; with illegal shipping to non-EU countries widespread, the European Commission is proposing tough new measures to tighten up its 2005 WEEE Directive. With Stone's facility, which became operational late last year, customers can be assured of a professional disposal service providing certification of destruction and asset tracking as required by the customer.

Located near the company's head office in Staffordshire, the recycling facility is a state-of-the-art separation and volume reduction plant, capable of crunching ½ tonne of equipment an hour, and reducing it to pieces smaller than 30mm, before extracting iron and precious metals. In a first for the UK IT industry, the plant was constructed in Germany and shipped to the UK on four vehicles before being assembled in a newly acquired facility.

James Bird, CEO of Stone Group, said: "As a responsible ICT manufacturer and supplier, Stone has an obligation to its customers and the environment to ensure it is compliant with the WEEE legislation. Now we are the only IT supplier in the UK capable of offering a recycling service that we are totally in control of. That's really important in the public sector where the integrity of the suppliers is a major concern. Nobody wants second-hand equipment from schools and hospitals turning up in unexpected places, and we can give our customers the assurance that will not happen."

He added: "Stone has always been prized by our customers for the wraparound services we offer, including our extended warranties and in-house service and support teams. Now we are extending that cradle-to-grave service by looking after our customers' equipment when it reaches its end of life."

To see the Stone recycling facility in action, please visit the following link:

http://www.stonegroup.co.uk/services--support/professional-services/environmental-services.aspx

Organisations interested in recycling their IT equipment, should contact one of our advisors on 01785 812100 or email recycling-enquiries@stonecomputers.com.

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About The Stone Group

The Stone Group is a specialist hardware manufacturer and systems designer, specialising in the supply and support of ICT and audio-visual solutions to Schools, Colleges, Universities, Local Government, the Emergency Services, the NHS and MoD.

As long-established UK hardware manufacturers, Stone Computers and Compusys have built up enviable reputations for their superior after-sales service as well as the stability and reliability of their Desktops, Laptops and Servers, earning the confidence of their customers.

As well as being awarded all major educational and public sector frameworks, the Stone Group has well-established relationships with leading manufacturers. Strong partnerships with Intel, Microsoft, LG, Seagate and Samsung ensure that all of its customers can be confident in the quality of the technology and receive the most competitive pricing structure.

Media Contacts:

Keith Collins, Stone Group

Tel: 01785 812100

E-mail: keith.collins@stonegroup.co.uk

URL: http://www.stonegroup.co.uk/

Gino Mainolfi, NSPR Ltd

Tel: 01628 502 602

Email: gino@nspr.co.uk

Further information (external website)