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
During a recent and very long overdue catch up with my friend Trina, I had one of those ‘Aha moments’. To be fair, as someone who spends a lot of time interviewing experts, these moments happen to me a lot, but this one was different. In the 20 years Trina and I have been friends, she’s developed marketing strategies for global brands including Coca Cola, Virgin Atlantic, Nestlé and IKEA . Impressive stuff, but it’s what she’s working on now that really got me thinking…Taking inspiration from the military and politics, Trina and her business partners set up The Competitive Wargaming Team and now deliver secret, scenario-based ‘corporate war rooms’ for senior leaders designed to predict and outmaneuver competitor moves.
In business, we often concentrate on the what and how of an enterprise.
In an increasingly digital work environment where we have more emails, WhatsApp messages & interruptions than ever before, many business leaders started looking at ways of alleviating the stress that comes with this increased workload. Relaxing the dress code and letting your team dress down and wear in more casual clothing is one way of doing this….Or is it?
Starting and running a small business is rewarding but comes with its fair share of challenges. The path of entrepreneurship is often characterised by immense dedication, long hours, and tough decisions. As a small business owner, you're not just responsible for the operations and growth of your company and team, but also for your own wellbeing.
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.
Over the past 18 years, I've had the privilege of working with a diverse range of businesses and industries, gaining insights into the challenges they face in implementing effective diversity and inclusion strategies. Often, DEI&B is viewed as a 'nice to have' rather than an essential component of business success. With this in mind, I'm excited to share valuable insights and practical steps to help you create environments where everyone can thrive. You've probably heard of DEI&B, but what do these letters really mean, and why do they matter for you and your organisation? Diversity includes differences like race, gender, age, neurodiversity, disability, LGBTQ+, culture, and more; Equity ensures equal opportunities for all; Inclusion values everyone's contributions; and Belonging means individuals feel accepted and integral to the organisation.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Finding someone who listens, understands, and guides you can make all the difference. For women in Gibraltar, the Women’s Mentorship Programme offers just that – honest conversations and valuable support from people with lived experience who understand. Now in its sixth cycle, the programme pairs women with mentors to help them navigate work, life, and everything in between. Ok, full disclosure: as a recently appointed mentor, that last sentence somewhat triggers the old imposter syndrome and self-doubt, but I am honoured to be part of this scheme and look forward to doing my very best in the months ahead.
For many businesses, standing out from the crowd in an already crowded marketplace is a mammoth task. But for Fresquita one of the ways they tackled this issue was with highly creative packaging.
“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.
Mental health issues affect us all. How we manage our daily stresses and anxieties have an impact on our relationships, how we perform in our job and the workplace environment, and our outlook on life. Becoming self-aware of what affects us, managing how we respond to triggers and using tools to help us work through them, are all part of our journey towards MENTAL FITNESS, which is how we should be positively defining it.
Whether you’re building a business from the ground up or hoping to grow an existing operation, having a strong business development strategy is the foundation of success. But real, sustainable growth doesn’t come from chasing the next big thing, it comes from getting the essentials right. So, what are the fundamentals you can’t afford to ignore? In my view, this starts with something I call the “Holy Trinity” of small business marketing...
Did you know that what you eat directly affects your energy levels, brain function, and stress resilience? Poor dietary habits—such as skipping meals, consuming too much caffeine, or relying on processed foods—can lead to energy crashes, brain fog, and reduced efficiency. On the other hand, a well-balanced diet stabilises blood sugar, enhances cognitive function, and keeps stress levels in check.
Building a personal brand isn't just about showcasing your professional accomplishments; it's about weaving your unique narrative, passions, and values into a cohesive identity that resonates with others. Here's how you can bring your personal brand to life, with practical examples to guide you at every step.
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 all have bad days, right? In business, that can mean we don’t bring our A-game to work and perhaps our service slips. Maybe a dish takes too long to reach a table or a staff member sounds distracted at the till. This could lead to negative Google Reviews or on ‘that’ Facebook group that […]