Stephanie McLarty

Quantum Lifecycle Partners LP is both an IT asset disposition (ITAD) company and an end-of-life electronics recycler, with 11 locations across Canada, 1 in Costa Rica and 600+ employees. I joined Quantum is January 2022 as Head of Sustainability, following the acquisition of my company REfficient. I'm in charge of building and executing an industry-leading ESG (Environmental-Social-Governance) program. Internally, I set and deliver on our sustainability priorities, including working towards an ambitious goal of being carbon neutral (scope 1 +2 emissions) by 2030. I lead our company's Green Team, which works on various environmental projects across the company. Our projects have included improving recycling, carpooling, green commuting rewards, our annual Earth Week Challenge, sustainable packaging, and more. I love educating our "Sustainability Superheroes" (our staff), and am a regular speaker at production meetings. Externally, I host Quantum's podcast, The Circular Future, which features innovations and thought leaders to help business managers and leaders to be sustainability champions, regardless of their job title. I also regularly meet and educate customers, alongside my customer-facing colleagues. Quantum has been fortunate to receive several awards and recognitions in sustainability.

After having successfully started, grown and exited a company, I help entrepreneurs and businesses to realize their potential and make a positive impact in the world. I do this on the side of my core work. Since 2022, I have been an Expert Advisor through the Innovation Factory, the regional innovation centre in Hamilton, Ontario. I mentor cleantech, agtech, impact and/or women-owned businesses to get to the next stage. In 2020, I started a mom entrepreneur community, which helped facilitate the connections, tools and skills to create impactful businesses. This community grew to 8000+ members in 3 years and was among the most highly engaged groups on Facebook. I believe in the power to change the world through entrepreneurship.

I founded REfficient in 2010 and led the company until the acquisition by Quantum Lifecycle in January 2022. REfficient is a marketplace allowing companies to buy quality Telecom, A/V and IT equipment at significant discounts from sustainable sources. Businesses get new access to sources of industry gear: manufacturers' surplus, other companies' excess inventory, and new equipment with environmental designations. We help businesses save money, time and the environment by being efficient and effective with resources – hence our name, "REfficient". Companies can save 20-70% by purchasing new/never-used, refurbished and pre-owned equipment of other businesses. REfficient also manages recycling for non-reusable product and calculates sustainability stats for clients, such as waste diversion rates and carbon footprint measurements. As of 2013, REfficient offsets the carbon emissions of all product shipments in order to maximize financial opportunities while minimizing environmental impacts. Currently we focus on Telecom infrastructure equipment and A/V gear. Our top items include set top boxes, PVR / DVR cable boxes, modems, network gear, switches, HDMI cables, and power supplies. Our AV gear includes commercial grade speakers, amplifiers, microphones and more. REfficient is based in Hamilton, Ontario, with hubs around North America. We now have customers in 13 countries and have ensured 70k+ products were reused in 2014. REfficient is also a Certified B Corp, meaning we meet rigorous standards of social and environmental performance, accountability, and transparency.

CTAR helps companies manage their obsolete and excess technology -- either by reselling, donating or recycling it. We also provide environmental reports so that people understand their positive impact of responsibly managing their e-waste. CTAR has grown quickly since inception and we were recently recognized as 2009 Finalists for Ernst & Young Entrepreneur Of The Year awards.