Embracing sustainability or just scratching the surface?
Industries built on connection and innovation, like telecommunications, data centres and hyperscalers, critical communications, energy and rail, should be leading on sustainability. Yet many technology operators are falling short of a truly circular economy.
There is plenty of talk about sustainability. But in practice, most companies only engage with part of the process. This is what some describe as the semi‑circular economy: a model where they may recycle, repair or buy refurbished technology, but they rarely do all of these activities. The result is a loop that never fully closes.
Here at TXO, we enable organisations worldwide to optimise and transform technology across its entire lifecycle, accelerating sustainability, unlocking value, and delivering measurable environmental impact. By delivering innovative, practical and commercially sound solutions, we ensure sustainability is not just responsible, it’s viable and profitable.
The reality on the ground
Let’s break it down:
- Large operators lean heavily on disposal. They offload surplus equipment through resale or recycling, generating revenue and ticking a sustainability box. But when it comes to buying refurbished equipment, cultural resistance remains strong. The assumption that “new equals better” persists, even when refurbished alternatives are tested, guaranteed, and available with far shorter lead times.
- Smaller players like altnets and new entrants are driving demand. For them, refurbished equipment is a lifeline: cost-effective, flexible, and fast. With budgets tight and OEM delivery timelines stretching for months, refurbished solutions help them build networks quickly and efficiently.
The result? Two groups operating at opposite ends of the spectrum, with only a handful truly closing the loop.
The missed opportunity
This semi-circular approach isn’t just an environmental shortfall, it’s a business one. Fully embracing the circular economy unlocks:
- Faster deployment
- Lower costs
- Stronger ESG performance
- More resilient supply chains
At TXO, we see the difference when operators commit to the full end-to end circular economy model. Our partnerships with BT Group, Telia Company, Vodafone, and VMO2 demonstrate what’s possible when reuse, refurbishment, resale, and responsible recycling are all part of the plan.
With circular-economy solutions supporting customers in more than 190 countries, sustainability is the foundation of everything we do. Whether you want to expand capacity with future-ready solutions, optimise performance and extend asset life, or unlock value while driving sustainability, partnering with TXO means every stage can be supported.
As Julia Evans, Group Operations Director at TXO, puts it:
“A fully circular model isn’t just an environmental advantage, it’s a business imperative. Companies that close the loop will not only reduce waste but also optimise their resources, reduce costs, and improve resilience. One of the ways TXO makes this transition easier is through our carbon calculator, which helps operators quantify both the financial and environmental benefits of adopting a fully circular approach. “
Measuring what matters: TXO’s carbon calculator
One of the biggest challenges in moving from semi-circular to fully circular is measurement. How do you prove the impact, both financially and environmentally?
That’s where TXO’s carbon calculator, developed with the Carbon Trust, comes in. It enables operators to:
- Calculate the carbon savings from reuse, refurbishment, and resale
- Quantify reductions in e-waste, raw material demand, and energy consumption
- Translate sustainability efforts into tangible figures that resonate with stakeholders
And it’s not just about the environment. By tracking these metrics, businesses uncover hidden cost savings, making it easier to justify circular strategies internally. Sustainability becomes more than a moral imperative. It becomes a driver of efficiency, resilience, and even new revenue streams.
From semi-circular to fully sustainable
The shift won’t happen overnight. But as networks evolve, budgets tighten, and sustainability pressures mount, the case for a fully circular technology sector is undeniable.
It’s time to stop doing half the job. A truly circular model benefits everyone. Wherever you are in the technology lifecycle, TXO accelerates sustainability, unlocks value, and delivers measurable environmental impact.
Let’s move beyond the semi-circular economy. Let’s make technology fully sustainable.