TXO: Reusing & Refurbishing Tech Can Make CO₂ Savings of 93%

Electronic waste, more commonly referred to as e-waste, is an ever growing problem facing the technology sector. 

E-waste simply refers to pieces of hardware that are discarded, such as mobile phones, laptops or monitors.

The most obvious issue with e-waste is pollution, especially since the materials used in electronics are rarely ever biodegradable. The more insidious problem is the wastage of valuable minerals.

It's hard to make a lot of modern technologies without using critical minerals like lithium or cobalt, and these materials are becoming increasingly scarce around the world. Every piece of electronic hardware that goes unrecycled represents a lost opportunity to recover these precious metals.

Then, of course, is the issue of carbon emissions. Every time an old piece of hardware is discarded, the emissions that come with creating new hardware increases. In an world that is growing more and more digital by the day, this is a huge problem.

Companies like TXO have had a hand in raising awareness on e-waste in recent years.

Now, to further promote this message, TXO has teamed up with the Carbon Trust to launch a new digital tool which shows users how much carbon they can save by using refurbished or upcycled electronics.

These are complex pieces of technology, often made using several critical minerals which are becoming increasingly scarce.

The Carbon Calculator is particularly helpful for businesses, where a great deal of technological turnover occurs. For any business that is invested in achieving net zero, measuring the impact of e-waste is crucial.

By directly comparing emissions from new versus refurbished technological assets, including those from production, transportation and repair, TXO's Carbon Calculator enables organisations to make more sustainable procurement decisions.

But how much carbon can refurbished tech save businesses?

Promoting sustainable practices in digital sectors

TXO's Calculator gives telco, rail and transport enterprises - industries characterised by intricate supply chains and substantial infrastructure needs - real-time, data-driven insights into carbon savings.

It has been revealed that, depending on the type of equipment, carbon savings could reach up to 93% compared to purchasing new items.

"At TXO, we are at the forefront of advocating for the circular economy," explains Julia Evans, Group Operations Director at TXO.

"Our new Carbon Calculator empowers businesses to achieve their sustainability targets more efficiently than ever before.

"Our collaboration with operators committed to reducing their carbon footprint demonstrates our dedication to supporting these goals with innovative software and technology.

"This calculator serves as a vital connection between net zero ambitions and the adoption of circular practices, fostering wider acceptance and delivering enduring value to both businesses and the planet."

Advancing the telco sector's path to net zero

The telco sector, in particular, has been proactive in addressing climate change. The GSMA board has pledged to achieve net zero carbon emissions by 2050, identifying circularity as a crucial element in minimising operational footprints.

Although emissions reduction targets are well-documented, quantifying the specific benefits of circular practices, such as utilising refurbished equipment, remains challenging.

TXO's collaboration with the Carbon Trust directly tackles this issue, enabling businesses to calculate and report carbon savings with confidence and transparency.

This tool facilitates the integration of circular practices into broader ESG frameworks and sustainability reporting.

Endorsement and adoption by industry experts

"The Carbon Trust is a global consultancy dedicated to accelerating the transition to a decarbonised future," says Hugh Jones, Managing Director at the Carbon Trust.

"Developing this model with TXO represents a major step toward clarifying refurbishment for network operators frequently focused on carbon reduction.

"Having a clear carbon benefit associated with circular practices could be immensely impactful. Circularity is a crucial lever for reducing carbon footprints on the path to net zero, potentially instigating substantial change across the industry."

Through its collaboration with TXO, the Carbon Trust has introduced a scientifically validated methodology for calculating embedded carbon impacts, establishing an accessible and credible framework for measuring emissions savings from reused and resold assets.

Circular solutions: cost-effective and sustainable

Beyond carbon metrics, TXO's i-TRAC platform (which the Carbon Calculator is integrated into) provides businesses with comprehensive oversight of inventory, operational savings and environmental impacts from refurbished equipment across global supply chains.

This visibility empowers technology and procurement leaders to mitigate financial and ecological waste while ensuring service continuity.

With over twenty years of experience in global lifecycle management, TXO assists industries in transitioning from linear to circular models, where environmental stewardship complements commercial performance.

In collaboration with TowerBrook Delta, TXO continues to spearhead innovation in sustainable telecom infrastructure.

The Carbon Calculator marks a substantial advancement in facilitating actionable, data-driven sustainability practices within telecom and other infrastructure-intensive sectors.

As organisations pursue net zero goals, tools combining environmental insight with commercial viability will be indispensable.

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