Originally published at FAMCe.
Circularity is a term used often in sustainability and environmental circles, but it can be difficult to understand what it means and how it applies to business. Still, with the rise of "green initiatives" and the new emphasis on corporate social responsibility, it's vital that modern businesses and organizations take a look at the potential of circularity and how it can help them stay competitive.
What is circularity?
First and foremost, what is circularity? Put simply, circularity is the concept of designing products and systems that can be reused, repaired, or recycled back into the environment. It is essentially the opposite of a single-use mentality — no more disposable cutlery, unrecyclable plastic packaging, or electronics designed to die quickly and be thrown away.
The ultimate goal of circularity is to close the loop on material use so that there is no waste. This means creating products that are made to last longer and using materials that can be easily reused or recycled once products eventually become broken or obsolete.
The growing trend of corporate circularity
Many businesses are already beginning to implement circularity into their operations. One example is the circular economy model being implemented by the French company Veolia. In this model, waste is seen as a valuable resource that can be reused or recycled back into the environment.
The company is working to develop new technologies that will help it optimize material use. This includes developing recycling processes that can recycle waste back into usable materials and working on new ways to reuse or repair products. Veolia is also working to change the way its customers think about waste by educating its clients on the importance of circularity and how this practice can help the environment.
However, circularity doesn't have to be a purely selfless cause. It can also help businesses in very concrete ways.
Benefits of circularity in business
Cost savings
Perhaps the most obvious benefit is that it can help businesses save money. How? For one thing, implementing circular practices can help businesses reduce their reliance on raw materials, which can be expensive. Circularity can also help businesses reduce waste disposal costs and increase efficiency, which means less wasted labor hours or materials.
Positive environmental impact
In addition, circularity can help businesses create a positive environmental impact by reducing greenhouse gas emissions, water use, and energy consumption. It can also reduce overall waste in our landfills and ecosystems while improving air quality due to streamlined supply chains and lessened need for new manufacturing.
Circular businesses can also help create jobs in the circular economy and support the overall transition to a low-carbon future.
Positive brand image
Supporting the environment with circular practices is important not only for ethical reasons but also for practical ones, helping businesses improve their corporate sustainability credentials. More and more consumers are interested in supporting businesses that have green initiatives, and circularity is a great way to show that your business cares about the environment.
While circularity is not the only solution for corporate sustainability, it is an important part of the puzzle. Businesses that are looking to improve their environmental credentials should consider implementing circular practices into their operations.
How to implement circularity in your business
If you want to follow Veolia's example, there are many ways to implement circularity into your own business processes. The key is to identify where there are opportunities in your current workflow to reduce waste and increase efficiency.
One way to do this is to conduct a life cycle assessment (LCA) of your product or service. This will help you to identify where there are opportunities to reduce waste and increase efficiency. You can also look at your supply chain and see where there are opportunities to implement circular practices.
Here are a few examples of common pivots and practices businesses put into place to embrace circularity:
Extending the life of products through repair and maintenance
Offering leasing or rental options instead of selling products
Using recycled materials in product design or packaging
Implementing product take-back programs
Repairing, upgrading, or recycling internal equipment and IT assets
Partnering with other businesses or organizations that are already implementing circular practices
Each business is different and will have different opportunities to implement circularity. The important thing is to get started and experiment with different circular business models. There is no one-size-fits-all solution, but by testing out practices and learning from others, businesses can find the circular model that works best for them.
How can e-waste recycling support your goals?
E-waste recycling is one easy and effective way businesses can support circularity. When electronic products are recycled, the valuable materials they contain can be recovered and reused. This helps to close the loop on material use and reduces waste. Moreover, e-waste recycling keeps unnecessary trash and potentially hazardous materials out of landfills, where their chemical components might leach into the environment and damage local ecosystems.
Even better, this is a win-win situation — good for the environment and good for your business. By partnering with an e-waste recycler that also offers IT asset disposition (ITAD) services, you can protect your company from data breaches with certified data destruction on all recycled devices. This shows that your company is in compliance with both environmental and data privacy regulations, reassuring customers and stakeholders that their interests are in good hands.
By incorporating e-waste recycling into your green initiatives and circular processes, you can uphold corporate sustainability, data security, and your public image all in one fell swoop.
Reliable e-waste recycling and ITAD from FAMCe
Circularity is a challenging but worthwhile goal with the potential to benefit both our planet and our individual businesses. If you’re ready to implement circularity by disposing of your electronics safely and ethically, enlist the help of First America Metal Corps (FAMCe). Our organization has over 30 years of experience assisting businesses with recycling and repurposing outdated devices of all types.
At FAMCe, we deliver environmentally sustainable solutions for businesses that prefer to dispose of their old devices in a better way. Our high level of expertise and our exceptional customer service have built our reputation as the leading company for your recycling needs.
Want to recycle your old devices with confidence? Contact FAMCe today to support your circularity initiatives with e-waste disposal that’s ethical and secure.