Patrick Moynahan 

Most people replace broken tech without a second thought, but Patrick Moynahan built a business around what gets left behind. At 27, with no background in recycling, he bought a small e-waste company and set out to fix a system that made it easier to throw away technology than to repair.

That company is now Echo Tech, New Zealand’s largest specialist e-waste recycler. Each year, it diverts more than 4,000 tonnes of unwanted tech from landfill and has earned certifications for climate positivity, responsible recycling, and data security. Patrick has driven its growth by investing early in automation and specialist equipment like the BLUBOX, and by pushing for external auditing that holds the business to account.

Patrick isn't just changing systems, he’s changing habits by helping businesses, schools and households understand where their devices go and why that matters. He’s advocated for product stewardship and the right to repair, and has helped shape public programmes that support more responsible disposal. Embedding device recycling into corporate and community culture, Patrick runs regular E-Days across the motu, allowing businesses and individuals to safely and affordably recycle their unwanted electronics.

Echo’s team has grown to over 60 people across Wellington and Auckland, and provides high school students with hands-on experience through the Gateway Programme. The company’s success lies in its ability to turn an environmental problem into a practical, repeatable solution. Patrick is focused on keeping that solution working - not just for the business, but for the systems around it that still need to catch up.