As the world observes Earth Day, it’s an opportune moment to reflect on sustainable practices within the telecommunications industry. While innovation drives progress, there’s significant environmental value in maintaining and upgrading existing legacy systems rather than defaulting to new hardware acquisitions.

At Carritech, we advocate for the continued use and support of legacy telecom systems. Proper maintenance and upgrades of existing equipment can substantially reduce waste, conserve natural resources, and minimise the carbon footprint associated with manufacturing and deploying new systems.

The Environmental Cost of Constant Upgrades

Upgrading to new hardware entails environmental costs. The production of telecommunications equipment is resource-intensive, involving the extraction of materials like copper, rare earth metals, and plastics derived from fossil fuels. Manufacturing processes emit greenhouse gases, and transportation adds further emissions.

Key statistics highlight the scale of the issue:

• 62 million tonnes of e-waste were generated globally in 2022, marking an 82% increase since 2010. This volume is projected to rise to 82 million tonnes by 2030.
• Only 22.3% of e-waste was formally documented as collected and recycled in 2022, leaving the majority unaccounted for and potentially causing environmental harm.
• The carbon footprint of manufacturing a single rack server, such as the Dell PowerEdge R710, is approximately 6,360 kg of CO₂ equivalent, with manufacturing alone accounting for about 471 kg CO₂e.

Extending Lifecycles: A Sustainable Strategy

Continuing to use and support legacy systems allows carriers to avoid premature disposal of equipment and reduces the demand for new production. This approach not only aids in managing capital expenditure but also aligns with global sustainability goals.

Carritech specialises in sourcing, testing, repairing, and supplying legacy telecom hardware from leading manufacturers. Our mission is to keep critical infrastructure operating efficiently for longer—reducing waste and supporting a circular economy.

The environmental benefits are significant:

• Refurbishing equipment can reduce supply chain carbon emissions by more than 90% compared to manufacturing new equivalents.
• Refurbished devices consume up to 85% less energy than producing new ones, conserving resources and reducing emissions.

Embracing a Circular Economy in Telecom

The traditional linear model of “build, deploy, discard” is increasingly unsustainable. A circular approach—where equipment is reused, refurbished, and kept in service longer—offers a more environmentally friendly alternative.

Carritech supports this model by providing:

• Long-term availability of end-of-life hardware
• Comprehensive testing and warranty services
• Repair and refurbishment of modules and components
• Consultancy on transitioning from legacy to hybrid or next-gen systems without full replacement

Sustainable Networks, One System at a Time

Earth Day serves as a reminder that progress doesn’t always necessitate starting anew. In telecommunications, the most sustainable equipment is often what’s already in place. By maintaining legacy systems, carriers and operators can achieve sustainability without compromising performance.

Carritech is committed to supporting our partners in building a more environmentally responsible telecom sector—where value, performance, and planetary health are all integral considerations.

Let’s keep networks running—and the planet thriving.