Circular economy breathes new life into e-waste: Dell Technologies

Chris Buchanan, the client solutions director of Dell Technologies South Africa, found it consistently astonishing how little awareness there is regarding the pressing environmental concern of electronic waste (e-waste). According to a recent survey conducted among Gen Z and Millennials, 60 per cent of adults are unfamiliar with the concept of e-waste, and 57 per cent are unaware of its significant contribution to pollution. E-waste encompasses any electronic device featuring a plug, battery, or cable, including electronics that have outlived their usefulness.

Annually, on the 14th of October, the world observes International E-Waste Day, a global initiative to increase awareness surrounding the growing issue of electronic waste and advocate for responsible e-waste management.

He further added that while the world frequently discusses the environmental challenges associated with this escalating waste stream, it perceives e-waste as an opportunity. As product design engineers, the Dell Technologies team is dedicated to enhancing the sustainability of its technology by incorporating materials that result in reduced carbon emissions. These materials range from sustainable options, such as recycled carbon fibre, to those created using renewable energy sources, like hydropower-produced aluminium. Dell invests considerable thought and research into the selection of materials and our manufacturing processes. However, to curtail the flow of e-waste, the American technology company embraced a "back to the future" approach, striving to design products that extend their lifespan and facilitate component accessibility for recyclability.

According to Chris, "Dell aims to keep materials in use longer, and our 2030 goals cover the entire lifecycle of our products, including design, manufacturing, shipping, and recovery:

• For every tonne of our product customers buy, we will reuse or recycle one tonne
• We will make 100 per cent of our packaging from recycled or renewable material or will utilise reused packaging
• We will make more than half of our product content from recycled, renewable or reduced carbon emissions material."

While discussing designing for the end from the start of the product design process, it is imperative to prioritize circularity. Promoting a circular economy plays a pivotal role in decreasing the greenhouse gas emissions linked to creating new materials. Dell's approach involves integrating increasingly sustainable materials into its technological innovations. Furthermore, Dell streamlines its material selection, striving to minimize the variety of materials used while also ensuring that every chosen component is essential and does not hinder the recyclability of the device when it reaches the end of its lifecycle. Additionally, Dell's product designs facilitate the efficient retrieval of materials for subsequent reuse and recycling.

Chris Buchanan illustrated Dell's commitment to reducing e-waste and promoting sustainability through its recovery and recycling services. Dell minimises e-waste and generates a valuable source of recyclable materials for new products. Since 2007, Dell has successfully reclaimed over 1.1 billion kilograms of used electronics. When a product reaches the end of its life cycle with no possibility for repair or reuse, it employs closed-loop strategies, where applicable, to create new products by recycling specific materials from retired technology. In 2014, the company pioneered by introducing closed-loop plastics derived from reclaimed technology, and it continues to use closed-loop rare earth magnets and aluminium in its products.

To achieve its sustainability objectives and incorporate more recycled materials into its technology, Dell requires more products to be returned to it for material harvesting. The technology powerhouse can all contribute to this cause by cleaning out its closets and cabinets and returning old electronics. Dell offers a convenient and secure process for returning and recycling end-of-life electronics and accessories. By doing so, Dell reduces e-waste and prolongs the life of materials that can be repurposed into new products.

Leveraging historical and real-time data enables the anticipation of demand and efficient inventory management, reducing waste and promoting sustainable operational practices. Additionally, digital technologies are crucial in optimizing remanufacturing and recycling processes, thereby minimizing resource waste and enhancing environmental sustainability. To gain an in-depth understanding of digital transformation and circular economy in the aluminium industry, check out AL Circle's latest report, "Digital Transformation in the Aluminium Industry".