CIRCULAR IT
The future of IT is circular Electronic waste has emerged as one of the fastest-growing waste streams globally, fuelled by rapid innovation, short product lifecycles and the growing demand for digital infrastructure. Megan Stiles, business operations manager at OryxAlign, explores how shifting toward a circular economy model helps businesses reduce e-waste and improve operational resilience and cost-efficiency.
A circular economy moves away from the traditional linear model of resource consumption and instead prioritises reuse, refurbishment, remanufacture and responsible recycling. In the context of IT, this means designing systems where devices and components are kept in use for as long as possible and where the end-of-life phase is not a dead end but a new beginning. Circular practices in IT do not merely reduce waste but also support greater resource efficiency and can offer cost and risk reduction benefits for organisations. Extending asset lifespans Extending the usable life of IT equipment is one of the simplest and most effective ways to reduce e-waste. Through proactive monitoring, regular updates and optimised configuration, organisations can significantly delay the point at which a device becomes obsolete. Endpoint management tools allow them to identify underperforming or underutilised assets early and take corrective action, whether that’s upgrading memory, reinstalling software or simply redeploying equipment to a more suitable role. This approach also includes preventative maintenance. Just as with vehicles or industrial machinery, IT systems benefit from regular check-ups. Identifying failing hard drives, overheating issues or outdated firmware before they become terminal not only protects data and user productivity but also saves equipment from an early grave. Over time, these strategies also
help streamline IT operations, reduce unplanned downtime and lower the total cost of ownership across the technology infrastructure. Ethical disposal Devices that are physically damaged, technologically obsolete or incompatible with modern security standards must still be removed from circulation, but disposal does not have to equate to environmental harm or wasted resources. Within a circular economy framework, ethical disposal prioritises the recovery of residual value while minimising ecological impact. This involves disassembling devices to reclaim useful materials such as copper, aluminium, gold and rare earth elements, many of which are finite and energy-intensive to extract through mining. It also ensures that toxic or hazardous substances like mercury, cadmium and lead, often found in batteries, circuit boards and display units are identified and handled according to strict environmental and safety standards. A key component of this process is the use of certified recycling and disposal partners. These specialists provide end-of-life services that include secure data destruction, environmentally responsible material separation and the safe dismantling of equipment to meet international recycling standards. By adhering to frameworks such as the Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE) Directive in Europe, organisations reduce their environmental footprint and
Megan Stiles business operations manager
oryxalign.com
Extending the usable life of IT equipment is one of the simplest and most effective ways to reduce e-waste. “ ”
62
Powered by FlippingBook