The circular economy and electronic waste recycling

In this article

• What is a circular economy, and why is it important for waste electronics recycling?
• Positive impacts of a circular economy
• Effort needed to support a circular economy in electronics
• The ideal IT recycling partner for data disposal

What is a circular economy, and why is it important for waste electronics recycling?

A circular economy is a system that prioritises the reuse of materials or products over other forms of recycling. For waste electronic equipment and old IT assets a circular economy means we prioritise refurbishment and reuse, minimising the need for new material extraction — and reducing environmental damage caused by mining and poor recycling practices.

Creating a circular economy also helps prevent e-waste from being recycled through shredding or melting. These methods not only have a much larger carbon footprint but also contribute to air pollution, and negatively impacts respiratory health (Mundada et al., 2004). Additionally, they can release heavy metals and chemicals into the soil and water, further endangering the environment while yielding lower-quality recycled materials.

A circular economy can also help eliminate the illegal shipment of e-waste: In 2019, the UK was found to have shipped the largest amount of illegal e-waste in Europe. While significant progress has been made to curb this practice, some shipments still slip through the cracks. If the UK operated within a circular economy, there would be no need to export e-waste for recycling. The only instance in which electronics would be sent abroad would be through refurbishment and resale in international markets. Ultimately, a circular economy promotes sustainability in the electronics sector.

What is a linear economy?

A linear economy is a system in which materials are extracted, products are produced and used and go to landfill. In the UK only 31% of e-waste is formally collected and recycled. It is estimated a significant proportion of that ends up in landfill. An article published by the Guardian highlights the problems associated with a linear economy. It states that ‘Almost half a billion small, cheap electrical everyday items from headphones to handheld fans ended up in landfill in the UK in the past year, according to research.’

Positive impacts of a circular economy

Many electronics are currently designed to encourage consumers to purchase new devices whenever a new model is released. A fully functional circular economy would shift this trend by encouraging companies to design electronics for longevity, making them easier to refurbish and supporting take-back programmes.

Refurbishment and take-back programmes create new business opportunities while recovering valuable materials.

Effort needed to support a circular economy in electronics

Creating a circular economy for IT equipment isn’t something one group can do alone—it takes collaboration. Businesses, governments, and consumers all have a role to play. Here are ten key actions that can help us get there faster and make a real impact: 

The ideal IT recycling partner for data disposal

Zero Tech Waste ticks all the boxes when it comes to responsible IT recycling. We can even help you to wipe data from redundant IT equipment as part of our recycling process — we make IT recycling simple and secure.

When you have as few as 10 qualifying items, we’ll swiftly collect all your WEEE recycling free of charge. We ensure 100% of the processed equipment is recycled, making us your trusted partner for sustainable IT disposal.