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
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.
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.
One of the most dangerous things anyone can say in business is, "We've always done it this way." This phrase doesn't age well and puts businesses at risk. "We've always done it this way" can quickly look like "flogging a dead horse." This doesn't always mean that businesses need to change everything. Some things, like great service, never go out of fashion. But when sales start to slow down, it's always a good idea to consider taking a new approach. Rebranding a product, service, or entire enterprise can be part of this process. But rebranding should never be taken lightly.
Imposter syndrome is a psychological behaviour where individuals, including many high achievers, struggle with persistent feelings of self-doubt, inadequacy, or the fear of being exposed as a fraud. Despite their achievements, those experiencing imposter syndrome believe they are undeserving of their success or worry that they've misled others into overestimating their abilities.
In business, we often concentrate on the what and how of an enterprise.
Thrive catches up with Nick Pitaluga TEP, Managing Director of Gibraltar Trust & Corporate Services Limited - “GTCS”. From starting out as a messenger to leading his firm through a major merger, Nick talks about the importance of stepping outside your comfort zone and offers inspiration for anyone carving their own niche.
Introducing the Thrive Catalog - A curated collection of goodies selected by our editorial team each quarter. Everything featured is available right here, right now at prices that are better than or compete with the internet.
Gibraltar has long been home to many international businesses. Gaming giants, UK-based insurance companies and far-flung fintech firms are all drawn here thanks to our strategic location and business-friendly environment. Carl Clavering moved his insurance business to Gibraltar, and it’s safe to say, it’s transformed his life. When I caught up with Carl, it was clear that his decision to relocate wasn't just about tax advantages or access to the UK market —it was about finding a place that felt like home, both for his business and his family.
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.
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?
Artificial Intelligence promises unprecedented opportunities for small business owners in Gibraltar. As the digital landscape faces constant evolution, understanding AI becomes not just beneficial but essential for businesses aiming to thrive in 2024. In this article, we aim to demystify the complexities surrounding AI, offering an approachable guide to its fundamentals, history, and practical applications for businesses, providing you with the knowledge to embrace this technology confidently.
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
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.
Finding time to sit down with a book can feel like a luxury sometimes. We seem to be pulled in all sorts of directions, yet many of us still want to learn and stay exposed to new ideas. Podcasts have filled part of that gap. They’re accessible, conversational and easy to consume while commuting or […]
If, like me, you spend more time than you should doom scrolling LinkedIn, you could be tempted into thinking no-one fails. LinkedIn has become a hyperbolic haven and a place to scream and shout about success. But what about failures - why aren’t we talking about them? In business, failure is inevitable. I mean it. Whether it's a product flop, a marketing misstep, or a company on the brink of collapse, every entrepreneur will face moments that test them. Yet, history has shown that these failures can often be the starting point for something extraordinary.
There’s something slightly uncomfortable about sending a contract to a client when you run a small business. Especially in Gibraltar, where relationships matter and business often begins with a conversation over un cafelito rather than a legal document. When you know someone personally, or you’ve been introduced by a mutual contact, it can feel unnecessary to formalise everything. You tell yourself that an email thread is enough. Or that you’ll sort the paperwork later. I used to think like that. Over time, and through a few situations that were more stressful than they needed to be, I’ve realised that putting things in writing isn’t about distrust. It’s about creating guardrails for growth. The clearer the boundaries, the freer you are to focus on doing good work.
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...
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.
My name is John Hayes, and I'm a really busy guy. Busy procrastinating most of the time. You wouldn't believe how many unessential tasks I had to complete before sitting down and writing this article. Those sales reports and emails don't check themselves. Yep, I've been busy. Busy doing nothing. We've all had one of those days where we feel like we've been incredibly "busy" - but can't quite put our finger on what we actually accomplished. Maybe we spent three hours answering emails, another two fiddling with a spreadsheet no one asked for, and another hour in a meeting that could have been an email or WhatsApp message. At the end of it all, the to-do list somehow got longer, not shorter.
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.