PUTTING CIRCULAR ECONOMY PRINCIPLES INTO PRACTICE

Circular economies produce virtually no waste, as materials are re-used and recycled continuously. It’s a dramatic shift from the current linear economy in which we take, make, consume and dispose – drawing regularly on natural resources to create products that eventually end up as waste. Dell supports the principles and practice of the circular economy model and over the past two years has been transforming its approach to the supply chain and business models to become more circular in nature. Dell has created a closed loop supply of plastics where obsolete IT products are collected, disassembled and sorted. After a shredding and purification process it is compounded to produce plastic pellets. This plastic is then moulded into plastic parts such as the back panel or stand of an All-in-One computer, a display or a front bezel of a desktop. Closed loop plastics are now being used in 35 Dell products at a volume of 1,800 tons with the aim of further growth in the near future. Dell has incorporated the use of wheat straw from rural China in its packaging. Instead of being burned on the field it is purchased and broken down before being mixed with recycled content cardboard to be used as corrugate or pulped cushion material. This process views another’s waste as a resource, reduces air pollution, and uses less energy and water. Smart sourcing and recycling are only a part of the circular economy. We need to continue to incubate innovation to unlock the economic potential that can bring increased value and new jobs with it. To transition to a true circular economy, collaboration within and across industries and borders is essential, it is not something anyone can do alone.