From new, biodegradable materials to AI-powered recycling solutions, the future of circular IT is just around the corner. But how do we get there – and what needs to happen first?
Andreas Nobell, circularity expert and one of the driving forces behind TCO Certified’s evolving criteria, believes we’re on the brink of major shifts. Here, he shares what’s already in motion – and what might be just around the corner. Digital product passports, innovative ownership models and new technologies could all help bring the IT industry much closer to real circularity in the years ahead.
Making a ten-year lifespan the new normal
Looking forward, the goal is clear: IT products should be usable for at least ten years. Achieving this will require tougher requirements for both materials and design – not just to ensure durability of individual components, but to optimize how they work together for as long as possible. By identifying and addressing weak links, we can help products stay functional for much longer.
Low-performance technology will need to be phased out in favour of robust parts, user-replaceable batteries, and longer support programs. “We already require five years of support,” Andreas explains. “But every generation of TCO Certified pushes further. By 2033, ten years should be the new standard.”
In addition, the upcoming EU Green Claims Directive will require that environmental claims are backed by verified data – a move that strengthens accountability across the entire product lifecycle. With clear, mandatory criteria and independent verification of compliance, TCO Certified plays a vital role in combating greenwashing.
Laying the groundwork
One of the most significant changes on the horizon is the Digital Product Passport (DPP), required by new EU legislation to be mandatory by 2030. Set to reshape our use of IT products, these passports will contain key information on how to repair a product, where to source parts, and responsible end-of-life handling. Here, TCO Certified is already supporting this initiative by requiring unique product identifiers on all certified products.
The new repairability index for mobile devices is another important step forward. By indicating how easy a product is to maintain and repair, it serves as a useful tool for buyers – while providing manufacturers with an incentive to offer better support programs.
Listen to our circularity expert, Andreas Nobell, as he talks about the future of circularity and IT.
A new look at the afterlife
Eventually, even a long life span comes to an end, leading to the next step – end-of-life handling. The rapidly growing e-waste problem is one of the most urgent challenges to address.
“E-waste isn’t a national problem, it’s a global one,” Andreas points out. “Today, only 17 percent of global e-waste is collected.”
To encourage brand owners to take greater responsibility for end-of-life product handling, TCO Certified is helping set up international recycler networks and supporting global take-back systems. These efforts are picking up speed. By 2033, Nobell envisions a world where cross-border recycling and material recovery are well on their way toward broad implementation. IT waste will be less of a hazard and more of a resource, supporting a truly circular way of managing materials.
What happens after that? That’s where things get even more interesting.
Beyond 2033: new materials and models
Compostable and easily recyclable materials are already starting to make their way into electronics, making it easier to process circuit boards and batteries without toxic waste. Meanwhile, new advances in AI, robotics, and image recognition are making material recovery smarter, faster, and more efficient. Together, these developments could shift the balance toward “urban mining,” where resources are recovered from used electronics instead of being extracted from non-renewable sources.
Andreas believes that products will increasingly be valued for their lasting functionality and design appeal, rather than treated as disposables. This change in mindset could drive a major transformation in business and ownership models. “I see us moving toward IT as a service, rather than just owning the products,” says Andreas.
A journey worth making
Circularity in IT isn’t a flicker on the horizon. The transformation in how we design, use, and think about IT products is already underway.
To speed up progress, both buyers and IT brands need to start viewing circularity as the default, not the exception. TCO Certified provides a structured, hands-on approach backed by science, legislation, and industry collaboration. By turning long-term goals into real-world results, we show that making sustainability a natural part of IT is not just achievable – it’s actually a business advantage.
