Gibraltar’s Toxic Tech
With its largely service-based economy, you’d be forgiven for thinking that Gibraltar didn’t have to deal with the problem of toxic waste, perhaps more commonly seen in countries reliant on manufacturing, mining and even agriculture. However, every gaming company, insurance firm, fintech organisation, retailer, restaurant, and literally every other business on the Rock is potentially responsible for producing a particularly nasty waste byproduct – e-waste.
E-waste (or electronic waste, to give it its full title) refers to discarded electrical and electronic devices. These include everyday consumer electronics and office equipment such as smartphones, tablets, computers, printers, and scanners. While these items might appear innocuous, e-waste often contains hazardous materials like lead, mercury, cadmium, and brominated flame retardants. Improper disposal can release these toxic substances into the environment, contaminating soil, water, and air. This isn’t just damaging to the local ecology. Exposure to hazardous materials in e-waste can cause serious health issues, including respiratory problems, neurological damage, and cancer.
With thousands of workers spending every waking moment staring at a computer screen, you can bet your bottom dollar that the Rock faces a big challenge in disposing of these devices responsibly. Gibraltar takes this issue very seriously.
What the law says
A spokesperson for the HM Government of Gibraltar told Thrive Magazine that e-waste on the Rock must be processed in compliance with the Environment (waste regulations) 2007 and the Public Health Act 1991. The act addresses e-waste management through regulations relating to classification and handling, producer responsibility, permits for e-waste management, recycling and recovery, and documentation and reporting.
“The government has an ongoing environmental education programme that seeks to raise awareness of a number of issues, including waste management. Information is included on the Thinking Green Website and social media channels, and talks and targeted initiatives are carried out as required or requested.”
New regulations will also shortly be introduced on the Rock.
“These will require businesses to recycle their waste, including waste electrical and electronic equipment (WEEE). It is hoped that this, along with the recovery and re-use initiative being offered in conjunction with the Ecopark, will reduce the amount of WEEE being disposed of incorrectly.”
What happens to e-waste in Gibraltar?
Electrical and electronic equipment disposed of as waste is typically dealt with in one or two ways.
Where appropriate, items are dismantled by a dedicated team and the relevant constituent parts stored locally before being exported and recycled. Recycling doesn’t just prevent e-waste from going to landfills. Electronic devices often contain valuable materials such as gold, silver, copper, and rare earth elements. When e-waste is not recycled correctly, these resources are lost, leading to increased mining and depletion of natural resources. Alternatively, devices are identified as reusable by the Ecopark waste centre and given a new lease of life through donation.
However, the government spokesperson told us Gibraltar faces several challenges unique to its equally unique geographic and geopolitical situation.
“Gibraltar’s main challenge with respect to all waste is the renewal of the Transfrontier Shipment Authorisations (TFS), which have been administratively more onerous since BREXIT. This has resulted in delays in the processing of these which in turn creates other challenges in respect of storage space for waste prior to export.”
Reducing and giving back
Many local companies are already taking a proactive stance to reduce the amount of e-waste they produce.
Adrianna Proetta, sustainability and communications assistant at MH Bland Group of Companies, explained how they manage the potential problem of e-waste.
“Taking care of and maintaining your equipment is the primary step to reducing the need for replacement or disposal,” says Mandy. “We have a fantastic IT and maintenance team who really take care of all our equipment across all of our departments, so e-waste is not as common an occurrence as you may think.”
Devices that are no longer needed in the business but can be re-used are always put up for donation.
“They are offered to staff members who may need electronic equipment at home or worthy charities such as PossAbilities,” says Mandy. “One of our core company values is caring about our communities, so we aim to work with community-based charities.PossAbilities is an independent support facility for persons and families with Supported Needs and Disabilities, providing access to adapted and inclusive resources and facilities to the Neurodiverse community. They use the equipment in their offices for either staff or the children during their after-school clubs or workshops.”
- Thinking Green: https://thinkinggreen.gov.gi/
- PossAbilities: https://possabilities-gib.com/
SHARE THIS
OTHER
Thrive Editor's Letter |
Editor’s Welcome
Welcome to the fifth edition of Thrive magazine. Too often the narrative around business focuses on success and, in my view, we forget to talk about failure. That’s why we lead this edition with EPIC FAILS by Katie Buller—because understanding what doesn’t work is just as important as what does.
Forget everything you know about online shopping—eCommerce is evolving fast. While giants like Amazon and eBay once ruled, a new wave of platforms such as TikTok Shop, Shein, and Temu are reshaping the industry. But beneath the flashy deals and viral trends lies a growing conversation about sustainability, waste, and the hidden costs of convenience.
Since 2007, Earth Hour has been known as the biggest hour for the planet as millions of people switch their “lights off” as a symbolic action for the environment
3 mins |
How to: Brainstorm
If you’ve been dreaming of starting your own business, you’re not alone. Data from the UK’s Office for National Statistics (ONS) revealed that the annual number of companies registered is edging closer to the one million mark, that’s up by 75,000 in 2022 which itself was 30,000 higher than in 2021. Whether it's following a passion, aiming for financial independence, or breaking free from the 9-5 grind, every entrepreneurial journey begins with one crucial thing: a solid idea. But coming up with that perfect idea can be tough. This is where brainstorming comes in—it’s the creative springboard that can help you turn your business dreams into reality.
Pets are like family, right? As a proud cat dad, I’d actually go further and say that they are family. Over the years, I have spent my well-earned money on (many) toys, beds, treats and vet bills for my two feline furballs Nacho and Drake. And I am not alone. According to a recent Fortune Business Insight report, the global pet care market was valued at a massive £171.78 billion in 2022 and is projected to grow from £180.06 billion in 2023 to £269.29 billion by 2030.
When it comes to ideation in business, there’s no one-size-fits-all approach. Every business, team, and leader has their own way of generating and refining ideas. Whether it’s through structured brainstorming sessions, casual conversations, or solo reflection, the goal is to unlock creativity and find solutions. We’ve asked four GFSB members to share how they approach ideation in their fields. As you read, think about how you generate ideas and remember that sometimes, the best results come from trying something new.
Eran Shay's journey is emblematic of the modern entrepreneur. A self-confessed ‘out-of-the-box’ thinker, he swapped a successful corporate career and a senior role at Deloitte to pursue his own projects and business opportunities.
Whilst Brexit hasn’t exactly been a positive event, we can’t deny that it’s also been the catalyst for diversification and change. It was a true ‘before and after’ moment that made businesses rethink their strategies and, in many cases, change their direction of travel. Gibraltar’s newest bank, justbank, is born from this process. As well as heralding the arrival of a new bank, this fresh start gave the team at IDT Finance the opportunity to create innovative and tailored banking solutions from the ground up. I met with Managing Director, Damian Asquez, and Head of Corporate Banking, Nikolai Gafan, to find out more.
In an age where small businesses must adapt to stay in business, outsourcing has long been a way to enhance efficiency and streamline operations. Derived from the simple philosophy of delegating certain non-core tasks to external experts, outsourcing allows businesses to concentrate on their primary objectives and strengths. For the uninitiated, it's about seeking external expertise for tasks outside your comfort zone, skills base or business's main expertise.
As the CEO of a specialist security business called Paladin Defence and close protection operative/ private security contractor, I have experienced security threats of all types since 1990. From opportunistic personal attacks to targeted organised commercial crime, I feel there is a lot more we should be doing to defend and protect ourselves. Understandably, Gibraltar is considered to have a relatively low crime rate; but what are the realistic threats and risks to small businesses in our corner of the Mediterranean?
When stakeholder conversations become difficult, most organisations focus on communication. Kerstin Andlaw argues the real issue runs deeper. It is not what we say, but how we stay in the relationship when pressure rises. In complex environments, the ability to work with tension, not avoid it, is what separates transactional engagement from true collaboration.
Two decades is a long time for any business - with all the strife that businesses large and small have had to endure these past four years, it seems that anxiety among business owners has never been higher. I recently had the pleasure of chatting with Garren Thompson, co-owner and co-founder of Gibraltar hair & beauty salon Miss Shapes, based on Bishop Rapallo’s Ramp. As the business recently hit the 20-year milestone, we discussed the highs and lows of creating a successful salon in a saturated market, how he and his team created their new range of Miss Shapes branded Hair & Beauty products and how this will help build success for another 20 years.
Success doesn’t just happen; it’s built on a strong foundation of preparation, clarity, and taking consistent action. Whether you’re launching a new business, taking your current side-hustle full-time, or looking to scale in a competitive market, having the right plan in place is essential.
Gibraltar’s size means that shoppers don’t have too far to go to shop. Schools, supermarkets, entertainment, eateries and healthcare are all within easy reach. That hasn’t stopped Gibraltar's business community from wanting to meet its customers' needs online. I met three local businesses that have embraced eCommerce.
“People want to know the stories behind the products they buy. It’s not just about what’s on the shelf, but the journey it took to get there.” – Stella, Spirit of The Rock As consumer habits shift towards mindfulness and sustainability, the concept of slow shopping has emerged, offering both challenges and opportunities for small businesses. Slow shopping encourages consumers to take their time, make more thoughtful purchases, and focus on quality over quantity.
From the increasing influence of AI to the rise of social commerce and sustainability-driven consumer demand, the key to success lies in adapting strategically rather than chasing every new trend. This guide breaks down the most impactful trends for the year ahead—offering insights on how to integrate them into your business without losing sight of what already works. Smart adaptation, not blind reinvention, is the name of the game. Here's what to expect and how to make it work for you.
Stepping into a leadership role can be exciting. It’s a chance to shape the future and lead a team to success. But with a leadership role comes a new level of responsibility. You’re suddenly the person others look to for direction and answers, and it’s your role to create a workplace where they can thrive - while also being accountable for their work. And that isn’t always an easy balancing act. Leadership is a learning curve - an eternal one at that. By focusing on a few key behaviours and techniques, you can set yourself on the right path to lead well, build a great high performing team and help your business grow.
Whether you’re an ebook tapper or traditional page turner, there are thousands of books that can make you better at business. Áine Panter, Head of the School of Business at the University of Gibraltar has curated a list of must-reads that will inspire, inform, and equip you for success.
We recently provided a large local organisation with their uniforms. Once the order was delivered, I felt compelled to send them guidelines on how to take care of their uniform. Spending money on clothes and footwear is not a guarantee on making the right impression, either to yourself, nor anyone else- it’s attention to detail that seals the deal.
If you’re looking to grow your business, expand your reach post Treaty or simply try something new, collaboration can be one of the most effective ways to do it. The key is approaching it with a bit of structure. And resisting the urge to say yes to everything just because someone seemed nice over a […]