The circular economy applied to IT
Reading time: 6 minutes | Sources: Institut de l’économie circulaire, ADEME
A sector that’s still largely linear
The traditional business model of the tech sector is linear: raw material extraction, manufacturing, sale, replacement, end of life. It’s a well-documented model that has shaped the industry since its beginnings, and that now coexists alongside alternative approaches still under development.
The circular economy is one of these approaches. Its principle is to keep resources (materials, components, devices) in circulation for as long as possible and at the highest possible value, rather than extracting them, using them once, and then discarding them.
In the IT sector, this transition is underway. It’s partial, uneven across players and regions, and is drawing growing attention from regulators, organizations, and consumers alike.
What circularity means in the IT sector
In the tech industry, circularity can play out at several levels.
At the design level: Eco-designing a device means thinking, from the outset, about making it repairable, modular, and dismantlable at end of life. This involves choices around materials, assembly, and technical documentation. Eco-design labels and certifications now make it possible to identify devices that meet these criteria.
At the usage level: The functionality-based model involves selling a service rather than a product: the manufacturer retains ownership of the equipment, maintains it, retrieves it at the end of the contract, and puts it back into circulation. This model changes the relationship between manufacturers and the durability of their equipment.
At the refurbishment level: Professional refurbishment is the most developed segment of the circular economy in the IT sector. It relies on collection networks, restoration processes, and organized secondary markets. Certifications govern these practices to guarantee device quality and secure data wiping.
At the end-of-life level: Recycling electronic equipment allows some of the materials it contains to be recovered. It comes in as a last resort, once reuse and refurbishment options have been exhausted.
The players driving the model forward
The circular economy in the IT sector is driven by a range of players whose roles complement one another.
Refurbishers (reuse organizations) collect equipment at the end of its first life, diagnose it, upgrade it, and redistribute it. They form the most visible link in the circular chain—the one where a device’s functional value is preserved for as long as possible.
Standards and certification bodies establish the standards that govern refurbishment practices: technical processes, secure data wiping, and device traceability. These frameworks allow buyers to assess the quality and reliability of refurbished equipment.
Legislators and regulators define the frameworks within which the sector operates: parts-availability requirements, eco-design standards, and e-waste management rules. These frameworks vary by jurisdiction and continue to evolve.
Businesses and non-profits act as suppliers of raw material for the sector: their equipment at the end of its first life, when well managed, feeds the refurbished market. A responsible transfer policy—directed toward certified refurbishers, with secure data wiping—is both an environmental action and a governance practice.
The challenges of the transition
The shift toward a circular IT sector runs up against several concrete realities, documented by researchers and industry players alike.
The availability of spare parts varies considerably by manufacturer and product category. This is one of the main practical constraints facing repair technicians and refurbishers.
Tracing materials throughout the supply chain remains complex, which makes it difficult to accurately assess the environmental impact of each device over its full life cycle.
Refurbishment is a growing practice, but quality standards vary among players. Certifications exist to govern these practices, and their recognition by buyers is growing.
Finally, shifting from a model built on selling new equipment to one geared toward durability requires adjustments throughout value chains. It’s a process that takes time and involves players with varying interests.
Where does Quebec stand?
Quebec has a waste management framework, governed notably by the Environment Quality Act and Recyc-Québec’s programs, which structures part of the IT equipment recovery sector. Local players handle the collection, refurbishment, and redistribution of devices at the end of their first life.
Demand for refurbished equipment exists, both among individuals and organizations. Regulatory frameworks, meanwhile, continue to evolve at both the provincial and federal levels.
To keep up with legislative developments and local initiatives in digital circular economy, Recyc-Québec and the Collectif pour un numérique responsable au Québec are good reference resources.
