The telecoms industry is the backbone of global connectivity—but this technological progress has a growing environmental cost. With rising global demand for bandwidth, 5G infrastructure, and smart networks, the production and operation of telecom systems contribute significantly to carbon emissions, e-waste, and energy use.
In fact:
- The ICT sector (including telecoms) could account for up to 14% of global carbon emissions by 2040 [[1]].
- Only 17.4% of e-waste is formally collected and recycled, with millions of tonnes ending up in landfill each year [[2]].
As the world moves toward carbon neutrality, telecom companies must embrace sustainable practices—not only to comply with regulations but to lead the way toward a greener digital future.
1. Extend the Life of Existing Equipment
Many network operators focus on expansion and speed—but sustainability begins with longevity. Before you invest in new hardware, it’s essential to evaluate the value of what you already have. Often, existing infrastructure has far more life left than assumed, and with the right approach, it can continue serving your network for years to come.
Why it matters
Manufacturing new telecom equipment is resource- and energy-intensive. For example:
- Producing a single telecom base station can result in up to 30 tonnes of CO₂ emissions [[3]].
- Manufacturing components involves the mining of rare-earth materials, which contributes to environmental degradation and supply chain instability.
Yet, functioning equipment is often discarded long before the end of its viable service life.
How to do it
- Conduct infrastructure audits to identify equipment suitable for reuse.
- Establish a reuse-first policy, prioritising refurbishment over replacement.
- Work with specialists to refurbish and redeploy existing hardware.
- Reallocate underutilised assets internally.
- Use software upgrades to extend hardware capability and performance.
2. Embrace the Circular Economy
The shift from a linear to a circular economy in telecoms is more than a trend—it’s a necessary evolution. Instead of extracting new resources for every product lifecycle, the circular model reintroduces used equipment and parts back into active use, conserving materials and reducing waste.
Why it matters
The telecom industry is traditionally linear—build, use, discard. But a circular economy retains value by keeping materials in use as long as possible.
- The telecom industry is responsible for significant e-waste globally.
- Over $57 billion worth of raw materials—including gold, copper, and rare-earth elements—are lost in discarded electronics each year [[2]].
Shifting to a circular model reduces waste, lowers costs, and builds supply chain resilience.
How to do it
- Create internal equipment return and redeployment systems.
- Buy refurbished hardware when suitable.
- Work with circular economy specialists (e.g., Carritech).
- Train teams on circular procurement practices.
- Monitor reuse rates and environmental impact.
3. Audit & Optimise Energy Usage
Telecom infrastructure depends on consistent power—but that doesn’t mean inefficiencies should go unchecked. From core networks to remote sites, telecom operators have a major opportunity to reduce emissions through smarter energy usage and infrastructure planning.
Why it matters
Telecom infrastructure is energy intensive:
- Networks consume up to 3% of global electricity [[4]].
- Without intervention, emissions from digital technology could double by 2030 [[1]].
With energy prices rising, reducing power consumption benefits both the environment and the bottom line.
How to do it
- Perform site-level and system-wide energy audits.
- Upgrade to high-efficiency or smart power-managed hardware.
- Implement dynamic power scaling based on network traffic.
- Optimise infrastructure layout to reduce redundancy.
- Transition to renewable energy sources where feasible.
4. Minimise E-Waste Through Responsible Disposal
All hardware reaches end-of-life eventually—but what happens next is critical. Irresponsible disposal of network components can result in harmful pollution, lost resources, and reputational risk. With growing scrutiny on corporate responsibility, disposal is no longer just a logistics task—it’s a core part of your sustainability profile.
Why it matters
Improper disposal of telecoms hardware poses severe environmental and health risks:
- E-waste contains lead, mercury, and cadmium, which pollute soil and groundwater [[2]].
- Informal disposal methods in developing countries often result in health issues for workers.
At the same time, precious metals like gold and palladium are recoverable with proper recycling.
How to do it
- Use WEEE-certified recycling providers.
- Securely wipe or destroy data on decommissioned devices.
- Ensure proper material recovery and traceability.
- Offer take-back schemes to partners and clients.
- Maintain disposal records for compliance and ESG reporting.
5. Choose Partners Committed to Sustainability
Sustainability is a team effort. From manufacturers and vendors to service partners, your company’s environmental impact is closely tied to the actions of those you work with. Aligning with like-minded partners not only strengthens your supply chain—it enhances the credibility of your sustainability goals.
Why it matters
Your supply chain contributes to your environmental footprint:
- Scope 3 emissions, which include suppliers and vendors, often represent over 70% of a company’s total carbon output [[5]].
Working with suppliers who share your environmental goals ensures a consistent and credible sustainability strategy.
How to do it
- Vet suppliers for environmental certifications (e.g., ISO 14001).
- Include environmental criteria in procurement scoring.
- Prefer local or low-impact logistics providers.
- Set clear expectations in contracts.
- Track sustainability performance over time.
Carritech’s Commitment
AAt Carritech, sustainability is not an afterthought—it’s at the heart of everything we do.
We believe the telecom industry has a responsibility to lead the transition toward a more circular and environmentally conscious economy. That means rethinking how we source, manage, and dispose of the equipment that powers global connectivity.
From our earliest projects to today, we’ve helped clients around the world reduce their environmental impact without compromising on performance, reliability, or scalability.
What We Do
Carritech delivers real, measurable environmental value through three core service areas:
♻️ Equipment Refurbishment & Reuse
We source and restore telecom equipment from global operators, returning it to near-new condition through rigorous testing and quality control. This extends the lifespan of vital network components and eliminates the need for unnecessary manufacturing.
- All refurbished equipment is certified, reliable, and ready for integration.
- Our team works with OEM standards to ensure compatibility and compliance.
- Clients benefit from both environmental impact reduction and cost savings.
🔁 Lifecycle Management & Circular Procurement
We support clients in building sustainable asset strategies that prioritise reuse, recovery, and responsible retirement. Whether you’re managing legacy infrastructure or deploying new services, we help you do it sustainably.
- Internal redeployment plans to maximise ROI from unused inventory
- Procurement of refurbished or legacy components no longer available from OEMs
- Recommendations for upgrade pathways that reduce emissions
✅ Secure Decommissioning & Responsible Disposal
Carritech ensures that all decommissioned hardware is handled with care—for both your data security and the environment. We work with certified WEEE recyclers and provide full traceability for every component we retire.
- End-of-life recycling aligned with best practices and legal standards
- Secure data wiping and certified destruction procedures
- Documentation and reports for ESG compliance
📞 Contactez-nous to see how your business can reduce its environmental impact.
Email: contact@carritech.com
Tel: 0203 006 1170
References
- Andrae, Anders & Edler, Tomas. (2015). “On Global Electricity Usage of Communication Technology: Trends to 2030.”
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tele.2015.03.003 - The Global E-waste Monitor 2020, United Nations University (UNU), ITU, and ISWA.
https://ewastemonitor.info - Ericsson Life Cycle Assessment Reports – Base station energy footprint analysis.
https://www.ericsson.com/en/reports-and-papers/lifecycle-assessment - International Energy Agency (IEA) – “Digitalisation and Energy” (2017).
https://www.iea.org/reports/digitalisation-and-energy - CDP (Carbon Disclosure Project) Supply Chain Report – “The Hidden Emissions in Your Supply Chain.”
https://www.cdp.net/en/research/global-reports/global-supply-chain-report-2021
