SocialBox.Biz Urges London Firms to "Call Before You Scrap It"

As the UK faces a staggering £15 billion annual cost for replacing potentially still reusable items, SocialBox.Biz has issued a critical update to its "Call Before You Scrap It" campaign in alignment with Repair Week 2026 (2-8 March).

With new research from ReLondon revealing that 335 million reusable items are binned every year, SocialBox.Biz is specifically calling on companies in the City of Westminster, London Borough of Camden, City of London and also across the UK to intercept surplus IT, specifically Windows 10 laptops and MacBooks, before they are sent for energy-intensive recycling and IT disposals.

Bridging the Purpose Gap: Impact Plans for 2026

Recognizing that not every company has immediate surplus hardware, SocialBox.Biz has launched Impact Plans. 

These allow businesses without access to physical items to still increase their social impact and reduce Scope 3 emissions by sponsoring the refurbishment and distribution of technology to those who are in need.

“Repair Week 2026 is about making reusing instead of scrapping the norm,” the SocialBox.Biz team told That's Business.

“By choosing to re-use Windows 10 laptops rather than scrapping them, companies can provide a lifeline for the elderly, and the homeless moving into permanent accommodation whilst meeting their CSR mandates.”

What is the "Call Before You Scrap It" Advantage?

Secure Transition: SocialBox.Biz provides certified data-wiping, ensuring "scrapping" is no longer the only option for sensitive corporate data.

Scope 3 Reduction: Re-using and Re-homing existing tech with SocialBoxBiz is the most effective way for London firms to slash supply chain emissions compared to purchasing new

As Repair Week expands to cities like Greater Manchester, Liverpool, and Cardiff, SocialBox.Biz is ready to help UK businesses turn their old tech into engines of social impact.

"Don't let your impact be shredded," urges SocialBox.Biz. "Call us first at 0843 289 5722 before you call the scrap companies."

Case studies and the benefits of reusing before recycling and IT disposal:

https://www.socialbox.biz/news-posts

https://www.socialbox.biz/reuse-before-recycling

FACTFILE

SocialBox.Biz is a London-based Community Interest Company (CIC) dedicated to digital inclusion. Through tech reuse and Impact Plans, they help companies achieve measurable social and environmental goals.

Repair Week:

Taking place 2-8 March 2026, Repair Week is a nationwide campaign founded by ReLondon to encourage repair, reuse, and the circular economy.

https://relondon.gov.uk/resources/toolkit-london-repair-week-2026-partner-guide

Leading London tech firm marks 2nd anniversary by declaring war on the ‘billable hour’

Red Eagle Tech celebrates two years of growth by proving that fixed-price engineering is the only viable future for UK SMEs.

Red Eagle Tech, a London-based software engineering firm, today celebrates its second anniversary with a call to action for the UK tech industry: it’s time to abolish the billable hour.

While the wider tech consultancy sector often relies on ‘Time and Materials’ contracts, which typically lead to spiralling costs and missed deadlines, Red Eagle Tech has built its success on a strictly fixed-price model. 

Two years in, the firm reports 500%+ year-on-year growth, proving UK SMEs are rejecting open-ended budgets in favour of ‘no-surprise’ engineering.

“The traditional agency model is fundamentally broken for SMEs,” Kat Korson, Founder of Red Eagle Tech told That's Business. 

“When an agency bills by the hour, they’re incentivised to take longer and the costs are, as a result, unpredictable. 

"We launched Red Eagle Tech two years ago to flip that model. We take on the risk of delivery, not the client. 

"If we run over, we pay for it, not them. This anniversary proves British businesses are hungry for that level of accountability.”

Solving the ‘tech gap’ for non-technical founders

Founded in 2024, Red Eagle Tech was established to bridge the gap between ‘No-Code’ DIY solutions and hugely expensive enterprise consultancies. 

Over the last 24 months, the firm has delivered complex cloud infrastructure, AI integrations, and bespoke applications for clients who previously felt priced out of custom designed software.

To mark the anniversary, the company is also highlighting the success of its newly launched SaaS product, MeldEagle - a Shopify automation tool born out of a client’s need to reduce manual data entry.

“We help clients gain a competitive edge in their market,” adds Kat. “Whether it’s automating e-commerce via MeldEagle or building a bespoke platform, our goal is to turn technology from a cost centre into a profit generator.”

Looking ahead: 2026 and ‘asymmetric warfare’

As Red Eagle Tech enters its third year, the firm is launching a dedicated AI Integration service designed to act as a force multiplier for small businesses.

“Looking ahead, 2026 is about ‘asymmetric warfare’ for SMEs,” says Kat. “We’re moving beyond simple chatbots to ‘agentic AI’ - autonomous agents that execute real-world business workflows, not just talk about them. We’re seeing 10x productivity gains in these areas, meaning the future belongs to the SMEs agile enough to adopt these tools before the giants catch up.”

Just a third of UK tech scale-ups boast AI expertise on their boards – lagging behind FTSE 350 tech giants

UK tech scale-ups are risking failure to meet their growth potential by not appointing artificial intelligence (AI) experts to their boards, according to new research from global growth consultancy, Think & Grow.

Just a third (32%) of the UK’s fastest-growing technology scale-ups boast AI expertise on their boards compared to four in ten (40%) of the largest tech companies on the FTSE 350 index.

The findings highlight a trend between AI expertise and revenue - FTSE 350 tech companies with AI expertise on their boards generate an average revenue of £6.8 billion, dwarfing an average of £953 million for those companies without AI knowledge.

Similarly, half (50%) of UK tech scale-ups with annual revenue greater than £50 million boast AI expertise on their boards compared to just 15% of companies with revenue below that level.

Efforts to appoint AI expertise to boards has increased in recent years as companies look to upskill their boards and leverage growth opportunities. The research findings show that the average tenure of board directors with AI expertise is three years, compared to five years across all board directors.

Additional research from Think & Grow reveals a third (32%) of technology companies plan to appoint individuals with AI expertise to their boards in the next 12 months. Surprisingly, given the clear investor appetite for AI - UK AI companies secured £2.9 billion in private investment in 2024* - 13% of technology companies have no plans to appoint AI expertise to their boards in the next year.

Figures from the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology and HM Treasury indicate that UK AI companies secured £2.9 billion in private investment in 2024, with average deals worth £5.9 million – with companies in the AI industry contributing £11.8 billion to the UK.

Think & Grow explains that AI expertise is becoming increasingly sought-after as growth companies compete for funding and market share as they look to scale at pace.

Jonathan Jeffries, Co-Founder of Think & Grow, told That's Business: “Companies without AI expertise on their boards risk losing ground to competitors and stifling growth.

“It’s a challenging climate for many sectors but there is huge investor appetite for high-growth tech companies, the issue is many of those who secure funding are unable to maximise the opportunity to propel growth as they lack key expertise on their boards. 

"AI is transforming business and society, ambitious tech companies won’t fulfil their potential if they don’t embrace it.

“The most successful companies weaponise their board connections and expertise to gain a competitive edge – UK tech companies need to ensure that they are building boards that are capable of overcoming upcoming challenges and leveraging commercial opportunities if they’re going to scale effectively.”

These research findings are part of an upcoming report from Think & Grow titled Breaking & Remaking the Next Generation of High Impact Boards which will be published in November.

Think & Grow is a global growth consultancy built to support high-growth tech companies through today's unpredictable and competitive market realities. Over 11 years, it has supported some of tech's most innovative companies, including the likes of Spotify, Stripe, Square, Dropbox, Peloton, Datadog, Canva and Etsy, to successfully scale their businesses and solve unique growth challenges.

https://www.thinkandgrowinc.com

SocialBox.Biz's Long-Standing IT Reuse Innovation Drives Increased Impact with London Companies

SocialBox.Biz, a leading London-based Community Interest Company (CIC), is reporting a strong initial response from businesses embracing its call to prioritize IT reuse over scrapping. 

The recently launched "Call SocialBox.Biz Before You Scrap It" campaign has resonated with companies which are committed to enhancing their social and environmental impact. 

"We're seeing a growing understanding among London businesses that reusing functional IT equipment delivers tangible benefits beyond traditional recycling," Peter Paduh, Founder of SocialBox.Biz, told That's Business. 

Building on over a decade of commitment to sustainable tech reuse, SocialBox.Biz reports a positive initial response from London's business community following its recent renewed call to action to prioritise donating usable IT equipment before recycling or scrapping it.

"We're seeing a growing understanding among businesses that reusing functional IT equipment with SocialBox.Biz delivers tangible benefits beyond traditional recycling methods," Peter Paduh went on to say.

By partnering with SocialBox.Biz, businesses aren't only diverting valuable resources from landfills but also reducing their Scope 3 CO₂ emissions ( reducing your supply chain carbon footprint ) – significantly cutting the environmental impact compared to recycling disposal. 

SocialBox.Biz securely wipes donated devices and upgrades them with open-source software, making them suitable for redistribution to individuals and communities in need.

The call for businesses to donate usable tech has been a core part of SocialBox.Biz's mission for over a decade. However, a recent campaign, "Call SocialBox.Biz Before You Scrap It", was launched to more actively promote this message.

The initiative is already creating positive change within the community. Through partnerships with local charities and organizations like Age UK London and C4WS, SocialBox.Biz is providing access to essential technology for:

Older adults facing digital exclusion unable to afford computer hardware or software.

Individuals experiencing homelessness moving into permanent accommodation and seeking to rebuild their lives.

Refugees integrating into British society.

The reuse of laptops and other IT equipment is proving to be a lifeline, empowering these individuals to access education, job opportunities, and stay connected with loved ones.

https://www.socialbox.biz/socialbox-biz-helping-partners-reduce-scope-3-emissions-and-increase-social-impact/

As noted in a recent case study, a laptop provided to Dean by SocialBox.Biz through another charitable partnership helped him secure employment in London.

https://www.socialbox.biz/homeless-man-finds-job-and-new-hope-with-socialbox-biz-laptop/

SocialBox.Biz is also expanding its programs, including the recently launched CompTIA+ certification initiative, which provides training and opportunities for disadvantaged individuals to enter the IT workforce.

https://www.socialbox.biz/corporate-impact/

The Call for Continued Partnership

While the initial response to the recent campaign has been positive, SocialBox.Biz emphasizes that there's still a significant amount of work to be done to truly maximize the benefits of sustainable tech reuse. The organisation continues to call on London businesses of all sizes to consider partnering with them and join the "reuse before corporate IT recycling" social and ethical innovation.

How Businesses Can Get Involved:

Businesses can engage with SocialBox.Biz by prioritising the reuse of IT equipment, donating devices through a seamless collection process that includes secure data wiping, and sponsoring initiatives like tech labs and training programmes. By participating, businesses contribute to environmental sustainability and social inclusion.

To learn more contact them here: https://www.socialbox.biz/contact-us/

10% Decline in Tech Job Interest Among Future Business School Students

Interest in tech careers among prospective business school students has dropped from 39% in 2023 to 35% in 2024, according to a new report by the Graduate Management Admission Council (GMAC) – a 10% year-on-year decline.

These findings come from the latest Prospective Students Survey by GMAC – a report that identifies and measures the needs and preferences of aspiring students in management and business education.

Now in its 15th year, the report analyses data from 4,912 respondents across 147 countries, offering insights into evolving candidate decision-making to guide business school strategies.

Technology remains the third most attractive sector for future business school students. Consulting continues to lead as the most popular sector, with exactly half of all respondents considering it for a future career.

The remainder of the top five sectors include financial services (41%) in second place, investment banking and management (34%) in fourth, and consumer products (20%) in fifth.

Notably, there were significant gender and generational disparities in interest in tech careers. Among Millennial men, 45% were interested in a tech career, compared to 38% of Gen Z men. Meanwhile, only 34% of Millennial women and 29% of Gen Z women expressed interest in the technology sector.

“The recent dip in interest toward tech careers among prospective business students may reflect growing uncertainty in the sector,” says Nalisha Patel, Regional Director for the Americas and Europe at GMAC.

“With high-profile layoffs and the rapid evolution of AI disrupting traditional roles, many students are understandably cautious. While technology remains a dynamic and innovative field, the perceived instability is prompting future graduates to weigh their options more carefully as they seek long-term career security."

The research also identified key skill sets employers are seeking in business school graduates, with a growing emphasis on human-centric skills such as emotional intelligence and problem-solving, according to corporate recruiters.

The Graduate Management Admission Council is an international non-profit organisation representing over 200 business schools worldwide. It provides research and market insights to academic institutions and prospective graduate management students.

You can download the report GMAC 2025 Prospective Students Survey Summary Report here 

https://tinyurl.com/mxrptbcp

https://www.gmac.com/

SocialBox.Biz Calls on IT Managers for Spring and Summer Tech Donations

SocialBox.Biz, a leading Community Interest Company dedicated to sustainable tech reuse, launched its “Spring Clean Your IT” campaign for Earth Day 2025 this April, urging corporate IT managers and CIOs to contact SocialBox.Biz about the old but functional tech before scrapping. 

“We just ask IT Managers to call us first before calling the scrap companies so we can check what can still be re-used,” says the team at SocialBox.Biz, boosting social impact for participating companies.

SocialBox.Biz will collect laptops, MacBooks and other corporate computer hardware and tech across the UK, wiping data securely, upgrading with open-source software, providing tech labs, training opportunities, and distributing some of the suitable items to vulnerable groups via charity partners. Case studies donations have:

Helped an Age UK Islington job seeker secure employment read more.

Enabled Passage’s Lily to shape homeless services read more.

Reconnected an Age UK London senior digitally read more.

“Reusing tech cuts Scope 3 emissions and transforms lives,” Peter Paduh, Founder of SocialBox.Biz, told That's Business.

Companies like New Look, donating since 2021, exemplify impact. Join them by contacting info ( at ) socialbox.biz or visiting www.socialbox.biz to schedule collections. Follow @SocialBoxBiz on X to share your contribution.