A circular economy is about using resources responsibly — extending product lifetimes and keeping materials in use for as long as possible. But how does this translate to the practical reality of buying and using IT products? Based on insights from circularity experts, procurement professionals and IT brands, this article brings together tips that help you take the next step in circular IT.
Leverage your purchasing power
1. Be clear that you expect circular solutions from your suppliers. State in the procurement process that circular products and services are required, and connect these expectations to your organization’s climate and circularity goals where relevant. Clear customer demand is a strong driver for more sustainable product development.
2. Look for suppliers that offer long-lasting products, as well as repair, upgrade, reuse, and resale services that help extend product lifetimes. Common priorities can help support your circular and sustainable IT management goals. Make use of pre-competitive dialogs and RFIs to gather information.
3. Include circularity criteria in your procurement policies and specifications. For example, set requirements for durability and repairability to extend product lifetimes, and for the reduction or elimination of hazardous substances to improve material recyclability.
4. Reduce environmental impact by choosing pre-owned products and sourcing from reputable refurbishment and remanufacturing providers.
5. Don’t overestimate the environmental and financial benefits of upgrading to a more energy-efficient device. In many cases, potential savings are outweighed by negative impacts from manufacturing.
6. Product-as-a-service solutions are becoming more common. Keep in mind that leasing services are not automatically circular. You must include circular criteria, just as you do when buying products.
7. Ask your supplier for an extensive warranty that covers service, repairs and battery replacements during the expected product lifetime. This provides greater cost predictability and gives IT brands an incentive to design more durable, high-quality devices.
Use your IT products longer
8. Use your IT products longer — it’s one of the most effective ways to reduce climate impact, save natural resources and minimize e-waste. Repair and upgrade them when needed instead of replacing them.
9. Think long-term when you purchase an IT product — buy a high-performance product that has enough capacity to meet your needs for several years.
10. Make sure that the products you buy are designed for a long life. They must be durable, upgradeable, and easy to repair.
11. Pay attention to battery life. Many portable IT products are discarded because the battery has lost its capacity to hold a charge. Make sure the battery is high-quality and easy to replace.
12. Extend battery life by keeping the product 20-80 percent charged as often as possible and avoid leaving it in hot spaces.
13. Implement take-back programs where used IT products are returned to the supplier for refurbishment, reuse, resale, or responsible recycling.
14. Keep an eye out for old habits and policies that stand in the way of circular practices. For example, short device replacement cycles, policies that require employees to always receive brand-new equipment, or procurement routines that prioritize the lowest upfront cost over durability, repairability, and reuse.
Involve the rest of your organization
15. Assess the current situation to identify where and how circular practices can be introduced. A good start can be to interview people involved in IT purchasing and management.
16. Be aware of how circular IT practices may affect employees, and involve them early in the process. Create an internal policy for circular IT management that balances environmental responsibility with the practical needs of different roles and work tasks.
17. Define clear incentives by identifying the benefits of circularity, such as reduced climate impact, less e-waste, improved operational performance, and lower costs for IT management.
18. Set up KPIs to track the impact of your circular IT practices. For example, monitor annual e-waste, carbon footprint per employee, and the share of recycled materials. For products certified to TCO Certified, you can find verified data in Report Generator.
19. Cooperation between functions is vital and will help you make faster progress. Engage decision-makers and specialists from IT, procurement, sustainability, finance, facilities and communications in regular discussions on circularity.
20. Knowledge of sustainability issues can motivate both management and employees to drive change. Ensure you are well informed about the climate impact of IT products, hazardous substances in products and production, resource use, e-waste, and supply chain risks.
21. Ensure that hazardous e-waste is handled responsibly and not illegally exported. Work with qualified waste management providers that manage products safely and in compliance with regulations.
22. Segment users within your organization based on their IT needs. This will help you optimize the use of devices and identify opportunities for product reuse.
23. Recognize that change is a long-term process. Maintain a long-term perspective and allow time and space for behavioral change.
Give your IT products a second life
24. Set up routines for collecting used IT products so they can be reused or recycled instead of ending up forgotten in a drawer. For example, make sure old devices are handed in before new ones are given out.
25. Don’t miss the opportunity to recover value from IT products once they no longer meet your organization’s needs. Explore resale through reputable refurbishment or remanufacturing partners, and consider charitable donations or resale to employees.
26. Protect your data — use software for safe data removal, or ensure that the company that you sell products to will manage this securely.
27. Ask your reseller for proof that the product has been refurbished or remanufactured and sold to a new user, so it isn’t discarded prematurely.
28. If you want to resell your products, do it as soon as you stop using them. They lose value each month they are kept in storage.
29. Include chargers and cables when you sell your IT products — otherwise new ones may need to be made, reducing both the environmental benefits and the value you get.
Join forces with others
30. If the main aim is to establish a circular economy, there is no way to close loops on your own. You need to partner with stakeholders throughout the life cycle to get things done.
31. Don’t be afraid to reach out for help. Join networks, learn from others, and share what you know.
32. Keep in mind that even the smallest contributions are valuable. It doesn’t matter so much what the first step is as long as you take it.
33. Team up with other buyers to increase your purchasing power and influence. Using a credible sustainability certification, such as TCO Certified, means you stand behind the same set of criteria as thousands of other purchasers worldwide. It makes your work with circular IT more efficient and saves your resources.
