Queen decorates Computacenter's recycling arm

RDC recognised for success in marrying commercial achievement with commitment to sustainability

The reuse and recycling arm of Computacenter has bagged one of 10 gongs in the Sustainable Development category of the Queen's Award for Enterprise 2009.

Essex-based RDC has grown from a three-man garage start-up in 1992 to a £25m-turnover powerhouse in 2008.

It was recognised by the Queen's Award Office for its success in marrying commercial achievement with a commitment to sustainability.

Gerry Hackett, managing director of RDC, which has operations in Witham, Cologne and Paris, said: “The Queen's Award for Enterprise for Sustainable Development is a fantastic achievement that everyone in RDC can share and is a great addition to our 2002 Queen's Award for Enterprise for Innovation.”

As well as its environmental credentials, RDC claimed it also has a strong record of social responsibility. The firm works with Microsoft to help set up IT refurbishment centres in developing countries, and partners with MillRace IT, a social firm that uses computer refurbishment to train people with special needs for work.

The Queen's Award Office said of RDC in a statement: “Its governance and performance provides an exemplar benchmark for commercially successful, sustainable business operations.

“RDC is a highly proactive and engaged company demonstrating best practice in terms of both its core business activity and the sustainable management of its operations and that of its supply chain, with strong environmental performance being mirrored by commendable social sustainability initiatives.”

RDC was the only winner from the IT sector, with Northumbrian Water and Green Building Store among the other nine victors.