Circular Electronics Initiative is an international network with 30 member organizations. The purpose is to encourage society to use electronic goods sustainably.

Part of the core activities is to inspire decision-makers, businesses, and consumers to use and manage electronics in a more circular way.

In today’s linear economy, we take virgin natural resources to manufacture products, which often have a short lifespan before they are discarded. This leads to a number of serious sustainability issues, affecting human health and the environment. Valuable natural resources are depleted and toxic e-waste is accumulating at the record rate of 60 million metric tonnes every year. This equals the weight of 6,000 Eiffel towers! Adding to the problem, e-waste is often handled in unsafe ways, leading to human health problems and environmental degradation.

In a circular economy, resources are handled in a more sustainable way. The goal is to extend product lifetime and recirculate all materials without producing any waste. For electronics, this means reducing virgin resource extraction, extending the use-life of products and minimizing waste and pollution.

Member organizations

Advania
Blocket
Chalmers University of Technology
Circular Computing
Closing the Loop
Compare and Recycle
Godsinlösen Nordic AB (GIAB)
Inrego
Indeed
International Institute for Industrial Environmental Economics
IVL Swedish Environmental Research Institute
Recipo
Smithereens
TCO Development
Towards Zero Waste
Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE) Centre

Latest vlog’s from Circular Electronics Initiative

What you can do

Extending the use

Extending product life is the single most important thing you can do. Upgrade and repair your products so they last longer and make use of the second hand market.

Sustainability certification

If you need to buy a new product, choose products that carry a sustainability certification that includes robust criteria and requires third party verification.

Durable products

Choose a durable product that can last longer. Avoid buying unrepairable electronics that you may risk having to throw away after a short usage time.

Compensate

Compensate the e-waste footprint of your new product, either by recycling a product with a similar footprint or by purchasing the offsetting as a service.

Recycle or refurbish

Don’t throw it out! If it’s not possible to reuse or sell your old products, take them to an electronics recycler or refurbisher where they will be handled responsibly.

What you can do

Extending the use

Extending product life is the single most important thing you can do. Upgrade and repair your products so they last longer and make use of the second hand market.

Sustainability certification

If you need to buy a new product, choose products that carry a sustainability certification that includes robust criteria and requires third party verification.

Durable products

Choose a durable product that can last longer. Avoid buying unrepairable electronics that you may risk having to throw away after a short usage time.

Climate compensate

Climate compensate the e-waste footprint of your new product, either by recycling a product with a similar footprint or by purchasing the offsetting as a service.

Recycle or refurbish

Don’t throw it out! If it’s not possible to reuse or sell your old products, take them to an electronics recycler or refurbisher where they will be handled responsibly.

Contact

Dennis Svärd, project coordinator
dennis.svard@circularelectronicsinitiative.com

This page is hosted by TCO Development, the organization behind the global leading sustainability certification for IT products TCO Certified, for Circular Electronics Initiative.