Brands collaborate around electronics circular economy vision

Consortium includes Google, Microsoft and World Economic Forum.

The global Circular Electronics Partnership (CEP) has been launched which the groups says ‘marks the first-time experts, business leaders and global organisations will co-design solutions around the topic'.

‘This pre-competitive industry platform will establish a network of networks to elevate the action and ambition of the industry in a coordinated way, a press release accompanying the announcement says.

The release continues, ‘CEP's vision will maximise the value of components, products and materials through their full lifecycles using safe and fair labor and depending on only circular resources. These shifts will generate economic value while creating social and environmental impact.'

The partnership aims to translate commitments into immediate actions, including:

• Defining circular electronic product and services.
• Mobilising a global, sustainable and circular procurement commitment.
• Developing a responsible recycling and circular material data system.
• Piloting two material track and trace projects.
• Commercial financing mechanisms for increased collection.

Along with the partnership, the group has announced the launch of an action road map. This document, endorsed by business leaders and experts, identifies six pathways to circularity. The roadmap focuses on different stages of the value chain to help businesses and partner organisations overcome barriers to circularity.

‘There's no time to waste in finding sustainable solutions for consumption and production," says Dominic Waughray, Managing Director, World Economic Forum. 'The roadmap and vision set forth by the Circular Electronics Partnership will create the necessary momentum to maximize resources, transform value chains and make the circular transition in electronics a reality.’

Collaborators within the electronics industry include Cisco, Close the Loop, Dell Technologies, Glencore, Google, KPMG International, Lanxess, Microsoft, Security Matters, Sims Limited and Vodafone.

The companies have been brought together by a new alliance of convening organizations that include - Global Electronics Council, Global Enabling Sustainability Initiative, Platform for Accelerating the Circular Economy, Responsible Business Alliance, World Business Council for Sustainable Development and the World Economic Forum.