32 tons of electronic waste diverted into the material recycling

Nearly 200 companies across Estonia have started to address the challenges of technology circulation and digital development under the leadership of GreenDice. Well-maintained office equipment is directed to schools and families lacking access to necessary technology.

According to Argo Alaniit, the CEO of GreenDice, an advocate for transparent technology circulation, only 20% of the world’s electronics reach the correct collection point today. “In Estonia, electronics that end up in household waste are mostly incinerated or used as landfill in recycling, but thanks to environmentally conscious companies, this problem is decreasing – with their support, we have been able to significantly extend the lifespan of devices and guarantee their proper disposal,” he emphasized.

The average business-class computer typically lasts up to 10 years, but companies usually use them for 3-5 years, and there are occasional situations where technology is abandoned. “For example, we had a large number of computers left over when we moved our representative office to the other side of the city. Thanks to the GreenDice model, we now have an extraordinary opportunity to monitor the further journey of these devices on a screen and thus honestly and transparently measure our footprint,” said Marek Ratnik, the head of ERGO, a GreenDice partner.

To date, thousands of devices have been saved from landfills, and 32 tons of electronics have been recycled with the help of partners. More than 2,000 devices have been moved to dozens of different schools and nearly 500 individuals to promote digital inclusion.

“We offer companies a service to measure and reduce the footprint of their computer equipment, within which we collect idle electronics, inspect them, perform maintenance, and redirect them to our community,” Alaniit described the recycling process. “Only very well-maintained devices are sent for recycling, which individuals and schools can use with IT support, full warranty, and insurance.”

“Although we initially planned to support developing countries with the necessary technology, the COVID-19 pandemic made us realize that our own Estonian families lacked the means to acquire digital tools, so, to our surprise, we shifted from supporting a developing country to supporting Estonian society,” Alaniit added.

Thanks to the GreenDice model, statistics are also generated on which devices last longer. “This creates an opportunity for consumers to make more informed purchasing decisions and could, in turn, encourage producers to produce more durable and repairable products,” Alaniit added.

According to GreenDice data, business-class devices last the longest, for which spare parts, especially consumables like keyboards, batteries, and screens, can be purchased for several years after the model’s warranty period expires. “Among manufacturers, HP, Lenovo, and Dell can be highlighted. Fujitsu computers also last well, but spare parts are not available in our region with reasonable prices and delivery times. The same goes for Apple devices, which last equally long, but since the repair cost of spare parts is many times higher, the question of cost-effectiveness arises,” Alaniit explained.