Smartphones and ICT products are not designed to ensure the valuable materials they contain are kept in circulation for as long as possible. How do we change that?

Circular Computing is a specialist in laptop remanufacturing for supply to corporates and institutions. It solves the typical problems that prevent large buyers from choosing used equipment. By making laptops as good as new, and by educating buyers and sellers, Circular Computing is proving that second-hand tech is now a real alternative to buying first-hand.

An overview of activities in the Netherlands aimed at making the procurement of CIT more circular, including policy, support and pilot projects.

This was the first public-sector competitive bidding process for recycled equipment in Finland. A laptop computer was needed for each lower secondary school student, and the City of Forssa sought a more economical and environmentally friendly solution than acquiring new computers.

The EU LIFE REBus project aims to reduce the use of raw materials or extend the lifetime of products by demonstrating the commercial case for European businesses to change their business models. This category report focuses on the opportunities and learnings from the REBUS pilots relating to ICT and electrical equipment.

The State Property Service (DRZ), part of the Dutch Ministry of Finance, conducted a project to find data safe alternatives to destroying ICT equipment. The number of saleable devices proved lower than estimated (only 25%), uncovering key lessons for the reuse of computers and other ICT in the circular economy.

The Province of Utrecht wanted to conduct a pilot project to purchase circular computers for 1,000 workstations. However, no supplier was found which could meet the requirements set by Utrecht, uncovering important lessons about market consultation and dialogue.

This report from Transform Together distils the key areas of concern and leading practice across the smartphone life cycle covering design, raw materials, production, use, product life extension and end-of-life. Deriving from this analysis, it proposes practical and replicable key recommendations for governments, industry and consumers to accelerate the transition towards more sustainable consumption and production patterns for smartphones.

Historically, the majority of waste mattresses and pillows from Her Majesty's Prison Service (HMPS) were sent to landfill or incinerated (costing money and damaging the environment). HMPS worked with the DTI/DEFRA Environmental Innovations Advisory Group and OGC in the first Forward Commitment Procurement (FCP) demonstration project to deliver an innovative solution to this problem.