Circular Computing to work with WWF-UK to roll out sustainable IT procurement

The deal will see Circular Computing supply 510 remanufactured laptops to WWF-UK complementing their long-term sustainability strategy and meeting the requirements of their sustainable procurement policy.  

Remanufacturing is Circular Computing’s disruptive process which produces, at-scale, pre-used HP, Dell and Lenovo laptops that are equal to, or better than new. The BSI Kitemark™ certifies that the Circular Remanufacturing Process delivers a laptop that has ‘at least equivalent performance and warranty that is equivalent, or better, than that of the newly manufactured product’. 

Switching to remanufactured laptops doesn’t just save organisations mountains of capital globally, but it also plays a massive part in eradicating the growing e-waste problem, which is now the fastest growing waste stream in the world (Statista, 2021). Recent reports have highlighted that the mountain of e-waste currently stands at 57 million tonnes a year (WEEE Forum, 2021) and is now heavier than the Great Wall of China. 

After successfully trialling 50 remanufactured devices, WWF-UK will use this opportunity to embed sustainability across its procurement processes and find suppliers that match its values to drive change across all areas of operations. This change was spearheaded by WWF-UK’s Environmental Manager and backed by its ICT team, which recognises the value that sustainable computing equipment can play in advancing the broader climate change agenda. 

Rod Neale, Founder of Circular Computing, said: “We’re proud to be working with WWF to help it deliver on its environmental change agenda in the coming years by switching to remanufactured devices. We’re particularly proud to work with such an established and meaningful organisation that matches our values and wants to drive change to create a more sustainable and ethical world. Our offering is perfectly suited for organisations in the charity sector and will deliver tangible impact not just on the bottom lines but on progress with sustainability targets.  

Neale continues “We set up Circular Computing to bring the same level of consistency in supply scale and condition as the brand-new channel. In this way we can supply all our customers with the most sustainable laptop on the planet and deliver all their technology needs, all whilst not asking them to take any risk on the products’ cosmetic, technical or warranty performance.”

Lauren Wiseman, Environmental Manager at WWF-UK, said: “Electronic equipment, although essential to business operations, has a large environmental and social footprint. In our homes we reuse electronics, and many people choose refurbished or preowned tech. Bringing these sustainable consumption practices to the workplace is essential for reducing our ecological footprint and preserving the planet’s natural resources. We hope more businesses will follow suit and give refurbished electronics a try.”

Dominic Elton, Head of IT Services at WWF-UK, adds: “We’re delighted to be able to refresh our laptop estate with a truly sustainable, viable product, for the first time, thanks to our work with Circular Computing. We are facing a climate and nature crisis, and WWF-UK is focused on ensuring our own sustainability through procurement, including how we procure for IT. This is another step that will help to reduce our carbon footprint, without compromising on quality of delivery.”    

Additionally, as part of the project Circular Computing has bought back nearly 500 laptops from WWF-UK’s estate and will look to put them through its recently launched ITAD programme, to give them a second lease of life through remanufacturing. This signifies a truly circular deal and will equal five additional trees being planted for each laptop in the buyback scheme.