Digital Device End-of-Life Solutions

As I've learned more about the secondary markets and circular platforms for end-of-life electronics, I've come across a super interesting case that I'd like to share. The case involves The Royal Mint in the UK, a public entity that's also allowed to have commercial business lines. In 2022, the Royal Mint launched a jewelry brand called 886. What's unique is that the precious metals used to craft jewelry and homeware come from end-of-life electronics, mainly electronic waste. The name "886" pays tribute to the year 886 AD, when The Royal Mint was founded during Alfred the Great's reign. Yes. The Royal Mint has been around that long. The process starts with collecting and recovering gold and other precious metals from discarded electronics, like circuit boards. The Royal Mint uses ancient coin and medal-making techniques, such as striking and pulling metals instead of casting them, to craft jewelry that's both dense and durable. Most production takes place in-house at their facility in Llantrisant, South Wales, resulting in a collection that includes unisex jewelry like hoop earrings, T-bar chains, studs, and cuffs, available in solid gold and silver. Each piece is hallmarked with the gram weight of the metal, highlighting its value as a wearable asset. A crucial part of this process involves partnering with IT Asset Disposition (ITAD) companies. ITADs are responsible for securely collecting, wiping data, and recycling end-of-life IT equipment in an environmentally friendly way. Before dismantling electronics for metal extraction, ITADs ensure that all sensitive data is securely erased or destroyed, protecting user privacy and complying with data protection regulations. This partnership lets The Royal Mint guarantee that the electronics entering its recycling stream are free from data risks, making the entire process both secure and sustainable. The recovered metals are then transformed into high-quality, "circular" jewelry, helping to close the loop in the precious metals supply chain and reduce the environmental impact of mining. Through this program, The Royal Mint is establishing itself as a player in the circular economy. The Mint has adopted an omnichannel strategy, selling both online and through select retail stores. You can find it at the brand's London store, located in Mayfair's Burlington Arcade. 👉 The 886 collection can be found here: https://886.royalmint.com/ #circulareconomy #innovation #ewaste #electronics #circularlogistics #ITADs #jewlery #circularfashion #circularplatforms All Things Circular

Old smartphones can have a new life as tiny data centers _________________________________________ I ran across an article describing a novel approach to saving money, electricity, older device hardware and making something useful from it all. Now, as I love Linux, open source software, computer systems and retro tech, I just had to jump in and study the material. It goes on to explain their methods. _________________________________________ Estonian Research Council Researchers at the University of Tartu Institute of Computer Science introduce a novel approach to reducing electronic waste and advancing sustainable data processing: turning old smartphones into tiny data centers. Rapid technological development quickly renders older devices obsolete. Therefore, alternative solutions are needed—such as extending the lifespan of devices by giving them an entirely new purpose. They demonstrated that old smartphones can be successfully repurposed into tiny data centers capable of efficiently processing and storing data. They also found that building such a data center is remarkably inexpensive—around 8 euros per device. These tiny data centers have a wide range of applications. For example, they could be used in urban environments like bus stops to collect real-time data on the number of passengers, which could then be used to optimize public transportation networks. In the project's first stage, the researchers removed the phones' batteries and replaced them with external power sources to reduce the risk of chemical leakage into the environment. Then, four phones were connected together, fitted with 3D-printed casings and holders, and turned into a working prototype ready to be re-used, fostering sustainable practices for old electronics. The team's results show that outdated technology doesn't have to end up as waste. With minimal resources, these devices can be given a new purpose, contributing to the development of more environmentally friendly and sustainable digital solutions. _________________________________________ You know what I'm thinking? Let's reflash those old phones with a Linix firmware to replace Android and host my websites in my usual style: on premise self hosting! We do know that Debian and Ubuntu run on mobile devices so this might actually work. We can make use of: * PostmarketOS * Mobian * Ubuntu Touch * PureOS * Sxmo * Manjaro ARM * LuneOS * Nemo Mobile * Droidian * DanctNIX * Sailfish OS * GloDroid If these operating systems can run Nginx, Apache or lighttpd then I have all I need. Most of my websites are static anyway and I only need them to display my articles and ongoing projects. This could be the future since the cost of electricity is si high these days. _________________________________________ The original web article here: https://lnkd.in/dAG_iwHy #linux

The Hidden Cost of Digital Growth I gave a talk on e-Waste in the Data Center industry and circular economy thinking this week at Data Center Asia. The talk was not particularly well attended, and I think this reflects our general lack of interest on the subject. Some quick facts: •      Global e-waste: 50M+ tons/year — data centers are a major source •      Short hardware lifecycles: average server lifespan is 3–5 years •      Most discarded equipment is still usable •      Compliance requirements will be coming, if not already here Why aren’t we interested in this subject? Why do we just assume the materials are disposable? Now that the cost of contents of a data center (think AI) has reached new heights, maybe we should be paying more attention and designing the end-of-life right at the outset. Some thoughts: Old Economy: take, make, use, dispose, pollute Circular Economy: make, use, reuse, remake, recycle Utilising the Circular economy keeps products/materials in use Strategies: –     Refurbish, reuse, resell… –     Purchasing used/refurbished equipment, saving millions of dollars against purchasing brand new and using the same high-quality equipment –     Modular, upgradeable designs –     Certified recycling & IT Asset Disposition (ITAD) partners Why It Makes Sense 1. Cuts Total Cost of Ownership (TCO) Example: A hyperscaler reported 25–30% lower infrastructure costs through internal component reuse and third-party remarketing. 2.Reduces Carbon Footprint By extending product life and promoting responsible recycling, you can reduce Scope 3 emissions. 3. Meets Environmental Sustainability and Governance (ESG) and Regulatory Goals Circular practices contribute measurable impact toward ESG frameworks 4. Builds Resilient, Future-Proof IT Operations Future regulations will likely require more circular practices — adopting them now gives you a strategic head start. Steps to a successful Circular Data Center •      Assess your current hardware lifecycle •      Set sustainability KPIs •      Partner with ITAD & refurbished equipment vendors •      Train staff in secure reuse and disposal •      Track, report, and improve – if you don’t measure it, you can’t improve it! Case Studies: Circular Economy in Action Google implements a circular approach to its infrastructure by reusing components across multiple generations of servers. This practice significantly reduces electronic waste and lowers procurement costs, while also improving operational efficiency and sustainability. Equinix has established certified hardware reuse and recycling programs across its global data centres. These initiatives are aligned with the company’s sustainability commitments and ensure responsible lifecycle management of IT equipment. Zone Global Group is a solid ITAD with a track record of doing just these things. Thanks for the input guys. And thank you for the opportunity to speak and a great show Informa Markets! What are your thoughts?

In a previous post, I talked about how your business can work through the piles of old laptops and other devices building up in the store cupboard, 'the laptop graveyard'. Now, let’s talk about what happens after that. The devices have been securely erased and you have options. You could: 1. Prepare the devices, repair (if needed) and repurpose them within your organisation, perhaps with your next new joiners. This is a great way to save money and carbon. 2. Donate the devices to charity, as it helps address the digital divide. 3. Sell the devices, which again will mean they are repurposed. 4. Recycle the devices for parts, typically when they are at end-of-life. Whatever you decide to do, the key is to make sure that the entire process is secure from A to Z so you have the confidence the right steps have been taken with your assets.

If you worry about the data on your phone… Imagine how companies feel about thousands of devices. That’s where ITAD comes in. ITAD = IT Asset Disposition (aka: What happens to your tech when it reaches the end of its life) These devices include laptops, phones, and PCs, as well as specialized IT equipment. These are 7 reasons to choose ITAD: 1. Data Security ITAD securely erases sensitive data from devices make it irrecoverable. 2. Cost Savings ITAD can refurbish and resell equipment, generating revenue and cutting costs. Impacting your ROI. 3. Compliance Good ITAD practices help organizations meet data regulations and avoid fines. 4. Environmental Responsibility ITAD encourages recycling and proper disposal of e-waste. 5. Asset Tracking ITAD offers detailed tracking and reporting of disposed devices. 6. Risk Mitigation Good ITAD practices reduce the chances of data leaks and unauthorized access. 7. Resource Efficiency ITAD recovers valuable components and materials, making better use of resources. Remember these key terms about ITAD: → Return on investment → Security → Sustainability If you’re in IT, InfoSec, or Operations: Ignoring ITAD isn’t just a missed opportunity. It’s a risk. If you have questions about ITAD services, feel free to reach out. Follow me, Robert Brown, for more insights.