2.3 Embed digital circularity practices –Embed digital circularity practices to minimize data waste and associated resource needs. –Circularity principles extend beyond physical hardware to encompass digital resources. Reducing the generation and retention of unnecessary data minimizes the associated storage, computing and network resources required over a product’s lifetime, delaying hardware refresh cycles and reducing associated e-waste. –Proactive “digital housekeeping”, such as setting retention policies, de-duplicating files, optimizing data formats and removing unused or redundant datasets, can cut the nature footprint. 2.4 Develop repair infrastructure –Develop the infrastructure to enable and encourage repair and reuse of consumer electronics. –Following design, the focus shifts to reuse. Hardware refreshes contribute to massive volumes of e-waste, so replacing individual components or performing maintenance/ refurbishment, rather than replacing the entire item, is key.76 –This includes developing a collection system, creating repair facilities and building consumer awareness. Example: Apple has a network of over 5,000 certified repair locations to support consumers in extending their product lifespan.77 2.5 Establish collection programmes –Develop collection programmes to streamline recycling processes, encourage proper disposal at authorized end destinations and harvest working components of unusable devices for reuse. –When a product reaches end-of-life, recycling and otherwise refurbishment are the best options and can be demonstrated in various ways. –Having easy, widespread access points for consumers to drop off their end-of-life electronics avoids additional waste sent to landfills. Through these programmes, manufacturers ensure a steady supply of still valuable materials to channel into new products. –Data centres can develop similar partnerships through zero waste initiatives to ensure that old hardware cycled out is safely disposed. Examples: Microsoft has implemented policies around managing waste, utilizing regional Circular Centers focused on e-waste from its data centres. These sites centralize collection and contribute to Microsoft recycling or reusing over 90% of its decommissioned computer servers and other technologies within data centres in 2024.78 A broader industry coalition is Australia’s MobileMuster programme. It collects phones and accessories for recycling and is managed by the Australian Mobile Telecommunications Association (including companies such as Apple, Google, Samsung, TCL) and supported by recycling and government partners.79 2.6 E-waste recycling infrastructure –Invest in e-waste recycling infrastructure to expand recovery of valuable metals. –One barrier today is a lack of adequate e-waste processing infrastructure. Out of 31 billion kg of metal found in e-waste in 2022, only 60% was recovered, leaving over $60 billion in value in landfills.80 –Tech companies can be both the consumer, purchasing recycled materials (potentially at a discount) and the producer, sending electronics at end-of-life to be processed. Example: Western Digital has partnered with Microsoft, Critical Materials Recycling and PedalPoint Recycling to collect obsolete drives from Microsoft data centres and extract rare earth metals, as well as gold, copper, aluminium and steel. Still in its first year, the partnership has showed promising results, processing over 20,000 kg of drives. 2.7 Adopt pollution and waste controls –Avoid pollution and contaminants impacting the environment by using advanced waste control systems and setting zero-waste-to-landfill standards (e.g. UL2799). –This work begins with monitoring systems for individual processes, to ensure that each process is optimized to reduce input materials and to shut down leaks as soon as they occur.81 –By monitoring outputs, a comprehensive plan for managing waste can be developed, including tracking waste output, determining in- house separation and collection procedures and identifying alternative options for utilizing waste. –For wastewater from semiconductor manufacturing, for example, water can be filtered and a portion of removed chemicals processed for reuse. Out of 31 billion kg of metal found in e-waste in 2022, only 60% was recovered, leaving over $60 billion in value in landfills. Nature Positive: Role of the Technology Sector 33

Nature Positive Role of the Technology Sector 2025