Global Government Actions to Promote Circularity in IT: Policies, Programs, and Progress
The rapid evolution of technology has revolutionized global economies but also contributed to a growing environmental challenge: electronic waste (e-waste). With over 57.4 million tonnes of e-waste generated globally in 2021 alone (Global E-waste Monitor, 2020), governments around the world are increasingly embracing the principles of circularity in IT to minimize waste, conserve resources, and create sustainable digital ecosystems.
Sky Asia Technology Editorial
5 min read
Circularity in IT refers to strategies that extend the lifecycle of information technology equipment through reuse, refurbishment, remanufacturing, and responsible recycling. This approach reduces the carbon footprint of IT operations, encourages sustainable procurement, and fosters innovation in e-waste management.
This article explores what governments are doing worldwide to support circular IT practices, offering real-world examples and referencing credible sources from international reports, trade publications, and government documentation.
Why Circularity in IT Matters
Most traditional IT procurement and disposal systems follow a linear model: produce, consume, dispose. This leads to:
● Massive e-waste generation
● Increased greenhouse gas emissions from mining and manufacturing
● Depletion of rare earth materials
● Poor working conditions in informal e-waste recycling sectors
As an alternative, circular IT models promote:
● Prolonging device life through maintenance and repair
● Redistributing used equipment via resale or donations
● Recovering valuable materials through efficient recycling
● Reducing costs and environmental impact for public sector IT
Europe: Leading the Charge on Circular IT
1. European Union: The Green Deal and Circular Economy Action Plan
The European Green Deal is the EU’s roadmap for making its economy sustainable. A key pillar is the Circular Economy Action Plan (CEAP) 2020, which outlines specific initiatives to extend product lifecycles and reduce e-waste.
In March 2020, the European Commission proposed measures for:
● Mandatory requirements on durability, repairability, and recyclability of electronics
● Right to repair legislation for IT products
● Product passports to track lifecycle impacts
● Boosting the reuse and refurbishment sectors
By 2024, the EU also plans to establish minimum green public procurement (GPP) criteria for IT equipment (European Commission, 2020).
2. France: Anti-Waste Law for a Circular Economy (AGEC Law)
France passed the AGEC law in 2020 to accelerate circular practices. It includes:
● Mandated repairability indices for smartphones and laptops
● Incentives for reuse and refurbishment
● Bans on destroying unsold electronic goods
According to the French Ministry for Ecological Transition, these measures have encouraged manufacturers to design more repairable devices and boosted consumer awareness.
3. Sweden: Tax Breaks for IT Repairs
Sweden offers tax incentives for IT repair services, allowing citizens to claim back part of the labor cost for repairing computers and smartphones (Reuters, 2016). This policy has stimulated local repair markets and reduced wasteful disposal.
North America: Momentum Toward Sustainable IT Policies
United States: Right to Repair and Federal Sustainability Plans
While there is no federal circular economy policy yet, momentum is building through:
● Right to Repair legislation in several states (e.g., New York, Colorado, California) requiring OEMs to provide parts and manuals
● The Federal Sustainability Plan (2021) mandates that all federal agencies aim to achieve net-zero emissions from procurement by 2050, promoting reuse and refurbishment where possible (White House, 2021).
Agencies like the General Services Administration (GSA) now prioritize Energy Star and EPEAT-certified refurbished IT equipment in procurement.
Canada: Circular Economy Leadership Coalition
Canada is actively exploring circularity through the Circular Economy Leadership Coalition (CELC), a public-private initiative advocating circular IT in procurement and design. At the federal level, the Greening Government Strategy requires departments to divert IT assets from landfills and reuse or donate them when possible (Government of Canada, 2020).
Asia-Pacific: Emerging Circular IT Initiatives
1. Japan: Pioneering E-Waste Recycling Systems
Japan operates one of the most advanced e-waste recycling frameworks under the Home Appliance Recycling Law (HARL) and the Act on Promotion of Effective Utilization of Resources. IT products, when no longer needed, are categorized and directed to certified recyclers.
A 2021 report by the Ministry of the Environment states that the country recovered over 600,000 tonnes of materials from used electronics through these programs.
Japanese tech firms like NEC and Fujitsu have also adopted circular design standards, including modular components and easy disassembly for IT hardware (METI, 2021).
2. Singapore: Zero Waste Masterplan
Singapore’s Zero Waste Masterplan (2019) outlines a circular economy vision to reduce waste and enhance resource efficiency. Under this plan:
● The Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) framework was implemented in 2021 for electronic waste
● IT manufacturers and retailers must finance and manage the collection and proper treatment of e-waste
● The government promotes procurement of refurbished or modular IT products
The National Environment Agency (NEA) also works with businesses to recover parts from end-of-life IT hardware (NEA Singapore, 2021).
Africa: Laying the Foundation for Circular IT
1. Rwanda: Green ICT Policies
Rwanda’s National e-Waste Management Policy focuses on sustainable ICT growth and circular economy principles. The government set up Africa’s first e-waste dismantling and recycling facility, which processes used computers, printers, and mobile phones for reuse and resale (UNIDO, 2020).
This initiative is a cornerstone of Rwanda’s broader Green Growth and Climate Resilience Strategy, aiming to turn e-waste into an economic opportunity.
2. Nigeria: National Environmental Standards
Nigeria’s National Environmental Standards and Regulations Enforcement Agency (NESREA) enforces e-waste regulations that include:
● Licenses for formal recyclers
● Requirements for responsible disposal of IT equipment
● Incentives for private-sector reuse initiatives
Partnerships with the Global Environment Facility (GEF) and UN Environment Programme (UNEP) have resulted in pilot projects converting old IT into refurbished goods for schools.
Latin America: Circular IT on the Agenda
1. Chile: Extended Producer Responsibility Law
Chile’s EPR Law (Law No. 20.920) covers electronic waste, holding manufacturers responsible for the full lifecycle of products. The Ministry of the Environment has identified IT hardware as a priority product, requiring collection and reuse targets.
Government procurement guidelines now include preferences for remanufactured and low-impact IT equipment, according to the ChileCompra public procurement agency (Government of Chile, 2020).
2. Colombia: EcoComputo Program
The EcoComputo program, launched in partnership with the Ministry of Environment, focuses on the safe recovery and reuse of obsolete electronics. Through public-private collaboration, over 6,000 collection points were established, and IT hardware is refurbished or recycled domestically (EcoComputo, 2022).
International Collaboration and Guidelines
1. UN E-Waste Coalition
The UN E-Waste Coalition, which includes ITU, UNEP, WHO, and others, supports governments in building circular e-waste strategies. Their 2020 report recommends integrating circular economy principles into national e-waste legislation and encouraging procurement of second-life IT devices in government operations (UN E-Waste Coalition, 2020).
2. OECD Circular Economy in Cities and Regions Initiative
The OECD helps member countries develop circular procurement policies and supports cities in embedding circular IT strategies in digital infrastructure plans (OECD, 2020).
The Road Ahead: Recommendations for Policymakers
Governments looking to expand circularity in IT can consider the following actions:
● Legislation: Enact right to repair laws and extended producer responsibility (EPR)
● Public Procurement Mandate: circular criteria for IT procurement (e.g., refurbished options)
● Incentives: Offer tax breaks for repair, resale, and donation of IT assets
● Education: Launch awareness campaigns for circular IT consumption
● Partnerships: Collaborate with entities from the private sector and NGOs to scale refurbishment programs
● Measurement: Track e-waste reduction and IT lifecycle metrics with digital tools
Conclusion
As the digital economy grows, so does the need for sustainable IT practices. Governments worldwide are realizing the critical role of circularity in IT—not just for environmental stewardship, but also for economic resilience, innovation, and job creation. From the EU’s aggressive regulations to Singapore’s Zero Waste initiatives and Rwanda’s pioneering e-waste plant, public sector leadership is driving the global IT ecosystem toward a circular future.
Now is the time for policymakers and businesses to align in reshaping IT from a buy-use-throw system to one that reuses, recycles and repurposes.
Get familiar with IT circularity before it becomes mandated in legislation.
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