Your new laptop is waste-neutral thanks to e-waste compensation
All Athora Netherlands employees will receive a new laptop during this period. But have you ever wondered what happens to your written-off laptop (or phone)? It is not simply thrown away, but usually given a second - and often third refurbished life. The last "life" of Western equipment is often in Africa or Asia, where it ends up as waste. Thanks to the partnership with Closing the Loop, we are at least making our IT equipment waste neutral.
In 2021, IT Manager Jeroen Groeneveld started the collaboration with Closing the Loop on behalf of Athora. This social enterprise tackles the enormous e-waste dumps in Africa. These have arisen because facilities to recycle appliances are not available there. Closing the Loop makes a practical, concrete contribution by collecting e-waste and extracting new raw materials from it. "Simply put, the partnership consists of us paying Closing the Loop a fee to collect e-waste in Africa and recycle it properly. So by doing so, we offset our own electronic waste," Jeroen explains.
Reverse path
Each year, Athora depreciates an average of about 200 phones and 150 laptops. "For every phone or laptop we dispose of through our refurbishing partner, Closing the Loop brings back a quantity of phones from Africa to recycle. We in the West are very good at shipping our old equipment to Africa, but the reverse route is a big challenge. Fortunately, Closing the Loop is taking on this challenge, thanks in part to our help. A comforting thought now that ALL our laptops are due for replacement."
Benefits
Working with Closing the Loop has an obvious positive impact on several fronts. It ensures a healthier environment and less environmental damage in countries in Africa and Asia, the raw materials from the recycled devices such as gold and other metals can be reused, and the model also provides local employment. The infographic shows the results of the collaboration between Athora and Closing the Loop.
Isn't it a nice idea that by getting your new laptop you are doing something against the global e-waste problem? Have fun (working) with your new device!
