A peer-reviewed scientific study by Cranfield University has found that remanufactured laptops produce over 15 times less CO2 compared with an average new laptop.
The study by Cranfield University assessed the sustainability of remanufacturing by comparing the carbon emissions created through Circular Computing’s remanufactured laptops, in comparison to brand new.
It found that remanufactured laptops produce only 6.34% of the CO2 emissions against new products, highlighting the sustainable benefits of buying into the tech circular economy, in addition to the huge impact it can have on reducing the electronic waste (e-waste) crisis.
Over recent years, e-waste accumulation has been on a steep rise, parallel with the technological evolution of electrical and electronic equipment. According to the Global E-Waste Monitor report, the global level of e-waste increased from 41.8 MT in 2014 to 53.6 MT in 2022, which is predicted to reach 74.7 MT by 2030.
The authors of the study, Cranfield University, identified that the fast evolution speed and short lifetime of current electronics are rapidly contributing causes to the growing mountains of e-waste.
Circular Computing’s Circular Remanufacturing Process is the only one in the world to have been awarded a BSI Kitemark, which attests that the products are “equal to or better than new”. Remanufacturing has therefore emerged as the viable alternative to new when it comes to changing the outdated habits of ‘take, make and replace’ in the tech industry. The study defines Remanufacturing as ‘a form of product recovery that allows an item like a laptop to be reused without being totally broken down and changed into something else’.
Professor Mark Jolly, Director of Manufacturing and Materials, Cranfield University, commented: “For those in the manufacturing sector, finding ways to create products, and thereby extending the useful life of the materials used, while not harming the planet, has been an ever-growing challenge. With e-waste being one of the many accumulating waste streams from the past few decades, finding solutions to address this is necessary in a climate emergency. The findings from our study show that Circular Computing’s revolutionary remanufacturing process is an important step in the right direction in tackling this issue once and for all.”
When a laptop goes through the remanufacturing process, zero e-waste is created. Over 99% of existing technology is re-used in the process, with the remainder either recycled or turned into pallets for transportation.
Steve Haskew, Head of Sustainability and Social Leadership at Circular Computing, adds: “This peer-reviewed scientific study by Cranfield University illustrates the profound impact that remanufacturing can have when it comes to reducing CO2 emissions in the technology industry. In an age of increased environmental consciousness and the growing issue of e-waste, finding a way to reuse the vast amounts of electronic products in existence should be a key task for the industry.
We believe that remanufacturing is the only solution to this problem to tackle the environmental issues while still ensuring high performance, good as the new end product. Studies like this one by Cranfield University will hopefully start to make a clear impression on the minds of IT leaders to reconsider their approach to purchasing technology”.
Circular Computing is on a mission to create a more ethical, sustainable, and socially responsible way to buy enterprise-grade IT. While already offering a carbon-neutral plus product, the Cranfield University study also identified further ways that the process could be made even more sustainable.
Following the study, Circular Computing will be analysing its processes for transportation, use of renewable energy and packing/recycling of packaging to ensure every stage of the remanufacturing journey is as sustainable as possible, remaining rooted in the circular economy.
If you would like to see the output report of the scientific study, please view here: https://circularcomputing.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/Cranfield-University-Research.pdf
