Interview with Sander de Ridder, Head of IT at Van Gelder
Since last year, IT4Kids has received support from Van Gelder in the form of hardware donations and a partnership as a ‘friend’ of the foundation. We spoke with Sander de Ridder, Head of IT at Van Gelder, about their collaboration with IT4Kids and their commitment to corporate social responsibility. Read the full interview below.
Van Gelder is the full-service infrastructure partner for the Netherlands.
This family-owned company contributes to a smarter, more sustainable and safer public space through its infrastructure solutions. With a focus on the energy transition, accessibility and quality of life, Van Gelder is helping to build a future-proof Netherlands.
It’s a company that places great value on sustainability and social responsibility. Sander de Ridder elaborates: “Our CSR strategy focuses on encouraging reuse, minimizing waste, reducing CO₂ emissions and contributing to social projects. We do this through, among other things, the use of electric vehicles and the avoidance of fossil fuels. All in the name of a smarter and more sustainable public environment.”
How does the partnership with IT4Kids fit into your CSR strategy?
“The partnership with IT4Kids aligns perfectly with our strategy, as it contributes to both the circular economy and social impact. By giving laptops that are no longer in use a second life, we help avoid unnecessary production of new devices. This reduces electronic waste and pressure on natural resources. At the same time, we provide vulnerable children in the Netherlands with an opportunity to participate in sports.”
Why is supporting social initiatives important to Van Gelder?
Sander continues: “Social involvement is essential to us. We work in a sector that has a direct impact on the environment, and we believe it’s important to take responsibility. We do this not only through sustainable infrastructure projects, but also through our own operations and the initiatives we support. By supporting projects like IT4Kids, we hope to drive positive change in society, especially for the younger generation.”
What led to the decision to donate hardware to IT4Kids?
“The decision to donate hardware to IT4Kids stemmed from our desire to offer a sustainable solution for equipment that was no longer being used. IT4Kids stood out as the only non-profit organization focused on reusing laptops. We saw this as a great opportunity to practice socially responsible entrepreneurship. With our donations, we can contribute to better future prospects for children. It feels good to know that simply by making our used hardware available, we can make a positive difference.”
How did you experience the donation process?
“We’ve donated laptops to IT4Kids twice in the past year. The process is always very transparent and smooth, thanks to the excellent collaboration with IT4Kids. Their system works well, and we’re satisfied with how the laptops are given a second life.”
What is your outlook on the future of IT and social impact?
“I hope the future will be more focused on mindful use of resources. Technological developments are moving fast, and we will always need hardware, but we must use it responsibly. At Van Gelder, we continue to focus on reusing materials and minimizing the impact of technology. This applies not only to laptops, but also to other technologies and materials we use in our projects. We want to build a more sustainable future and believe that a circular approach will only become more important,” Sander explains.
With its contribution to IT4Kids, Van Gelder not only supports the circular economy, but also helps create social impact. It’s clear that the company takes its social responsibility seriously and is committed to a sustainable future, both within its business and beyond.
