'We're expecting a spike in demand': laptop remanufacturer Circular Computing on sustainable IT

Head of sustainability Steve Haskew on the difference between refurbished and remanufactured goods and how customers are starting to see the urgent need to embrace the circular economy

In the latest in our interviews with tech companies on the subject of sustainability, Computing caught up with Steve Haskew, head of sustainability and social leadership at Circular Computing.

Circular Computing is a Portsmouth-based remanufacturer of enterprise laptops. Remanufacturing, according to British Standard BS 8887-211, means: 'returning a product to at least its original performance with a warranty that is equivalent or better than that of the newly manufactured product'.

Computing: How is Circular Computing addressing sustainability?

Steve Haskew: Circular Computing helps its clients decarbonise their IT hardware estate by providing solutions that are centred in the emerging circular economy. By reusing 99 per cent of materials and recycling the remaining one per cent, we eliminate waste and preserve rare and valuable natural resources.

Remanufacturing is categorically different from that of cosmetic refurbishment, where second life hardware is provided a full new lifecycle rather than simply extending its original one.

This process is underpinned by a Kitemark accreditation from the British Standards Institution - a world first and to this date we are the only accredited remanufacturer - where the performance and quality are certified equal to or better than the new.

Is there a formal policy and how is accountability assigned?

As head of sustainability my role has two key elements - to ensure the business provides the most sustainable version of its currently offered services, as well as future proofing and improving the long-term sustainable credentials of our operations. Circular Computing operates under a code of conduct, which we will formally set out to the public in our first sustainability report next year. The business has been audited for its own carbon footprint for four consecutive years, providing a baseline from which we measure our progress annually.

Does this code cover climate change and energy consumption, circular electronics, recycling and waste management and supply chain impacts?

The code of conduct that we operate within seeks to protect both the planet and society, whilst ultimately delivering solutions that help our clients decarbonise their own operations.

The business has a ‘Zero to Landfill' policy and a negligible one per cent of electrical waste from production is recycled and repurposed into pallets for moving other products on.

Outside of our production operations we have a reforestation drive, currently at 250,000 trees, where we plant five trees for every laptop sold. This commitment continues with further trigger events as the trees need to be nurtured and protected. We educate local communities in countries around the world such as in India and Zambia, on how to care for the forests which helps create a sustainable generational income security. The trees of course also provide a sequestration for carbon of 120 kg in their own lifetime.

All of our suppliers must adhere to a code of conduct, which includes their anti-slavery commitments, and preferably we would want them to be in a signatory to the United Nations Global Compact or similar treaty.

What design or policy changes have been adopted in the last five years to ensure it is a more sustainable one?

The linear economy is one which is inherently unsustainable. It takes, makes, uses and disposes. The circular economy is one which challenges the status quo seeking to eliminate waste and protect natural resources. At Circular Computing we are creating footsteps in which others in the industry can tread to create sustainable solutions. This can be evidence by the Kitemark for remanufacturing which is from the British Standards Institute. Their standard BS8887 demands a product which is equal to new, and our Kitemark certifies that our purpose-built factory does this. And it does this consistently and at scale. This removes any client risk of producing poorer quality and ultimately unsustainable second life hardware and provides a robust and resilient alternative to new products.

How important is sustainability to Circular Computing's customers? Is it something many ask about in the pre-sales phase?

We believe sustainability should be important to everyone, or we will have a precarious future - and not just focused on the impacts of climate change, although this has an important part to play. It is our behaviours as a society that need to change to affect this. The question we are helping address is through which lens do customers see sustainability? In its rawest form and traditionally, you would look to the three pillars - environmental, economic and social - or people, profit, planet - and where they co-exist in balance.

Quite often we see customers who don't have a business definition and need to be coached. This is particularly relevant to their perception around used products. They need to be made aware of the importance and purpose of remanufacturing second life products, which normally involves many actors in the organisation - from the IT team, to the finance team, the C-suite and the sustainability officer.

From there, we can help them understand how the product benefits them in their own strategy and targets. Once they understand its role, then they can decide based on best practice and true alignment.

What sustainability drives or changes are planned for Circular Computing's product line over the next year?

The main challenge Circular Computing faces is managing the expected spike in demand, particularly as the UK government is moving strategy to policy, and the requirement of procurement officers to move the needle into sustainable procurement of resources such as remanufactured hardware.

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