Greenbox acquires EraseIT to boost e-waste & IT recycling
Greenbox Group has acquired Melbourne-headquartered EraseIT, a provider of data cleansing and asset disposal services, from IT services provider Interactive.
EraseIT, which was established in 2009 and became part of Interactive in 2018, specialises in secure IT asset disposal and data erasure. The company's work has supported responsible recycling and reuse initiatives, contributing to the reduction of electronic waste (e-waste) and aiding in environmental sustainability efforts.
Greenbox Group has been operating for 25 years, with a presence across Australia and New Zealand, and focuses on asset lifecycle management in the technology sector. The company uses artificial intelligence and proprietary analytics to deliver its services. Greenbox was the first in its sector to be certified carbon neutral and has played a significant role in IT refurbishment and the circular economy.
Both Greenbox and EraseIT offer IT hardware asset services intended to promote reuse, refurbishment, and responsible recycling. The combined operations will enhance efforts to address the problem of e-waste, identified in the industry as the fastest growing waste stream globally.
Acquisition moves
The latest acquisition will see EraseIT's existing operations integrated into Greenbox Group, representing a new growth phase for both firms. This follows Greenbox's acquisition of Remark IT in New Zealand last year, and supports the group's ongoing strategy to expand its presence and service capability across the region.
Ross Thompson, Chief Executive Officer of Greenbox Group, said the decision to acquire EraseIT was driven by the shared objectives of both companies. In a statement, he explained,
"We were drawn to EraseIT due to our shared focus, complementary operations, and the synergies offered for building world-leading circular economy practices."
He further stated,
"Bringing EraseIT into the Greenbox fold means that together we have an expanded footprint across new locations, stronger systems and services to support customers, and access to a wide network of Australasian clients. All existing EraseIT clients will enjoy these benefits."
Perspective from Interactive
Alexandra Coates, Chief Executive Officer of Interactive, commented on the agreement, saying,
"This action sets both EraseIT and Interactive up for long-term success. EraseIT is joining a specialist owner with deep expertise in sustainable IT asset management, giving it the scale and investment to meet evolving market demands and deliver even greater value to customers.
As part of Greenbox Group, EraseIT will be at the forefront of CleanTech innovation and circular economy leadership across Australasia. For Interactive, this move is a direct reflection of our Unite28 strategy - sharpening our focus on core products and services."
Setting benchmarks
The acquisition aims to establish a benchmark for responsible technology asset disposal in the Australasian region. Greenbox maintains the largest R2V3 network across Australia and New Zealand and holds 32 separate ISO certifications. These measures support the company's commitment to responsible e-waste management and industry best practice.
Greenbox reports that it has helped prevent more than 106,000,000 kg of carbon dioxide from being emitted and diverted over 330,000 kg of toxic metals from landfill. According to the company, this is comparable to removing over 25 million cars from roadways in a single year.
The company is also recognised as Australia's first carbon-neutral certified ICT lifecycle management provider and achieved similar certification in New Zealand. Its practices are underpinned by commitments to data-driven transparency, a comprehensive suite of certifications, and continuous improvement processes.
Market context
Recent industry data highlights the increasing importance of technology lifecycle management and e-waste reduction. About 81% of the energy consumed by a laptop over its lifetime is used during manufacturing, with one tonne of laptop manufacture equating to 10 tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent emissions. Globally, each tonne of e-waste results in a two-tonne carbon footprint.
The global electronics recycling market is forecast to grow from USD $37 billion to USD $108 billion between 2022 and 2030, while the value of refurbished electronics is projected to increase from USD $58.9 billion to USD $262.2 billion in the same period. Meanwhile, data centres worldwide currently use an estimated 460 TWh of electricity - approximately the same as the annual electricity usage of France - with expectations of this figure doubling by 2026.
For Greenbox Group and EraseIT, the combined expertise and resources are positioned to assist clients in responding to these trends and requirements, supporting environmental outcomes and responsible asset management across Australasia.
