Building a Circular Future for Digital Sustainability: Insights from the GDSA
The Government Digital Sustainability Alliance (GDSA) Circular Economy Working Group has released a compelling paper outlining how the UK’s digital sector can transition toward a more sustainable, circular economy. Comprising government suppliers, academics, third sector organisations, and industry experts, the GDSA aims to drive collaboration and innovation to reduce the environmental impact of digital technologies.
At the heart of the paper is a vision for a circular economy—a system where materials are kept in use, waste is eliminated, and nature is regenerated. This approach directly addresses global challenges such as climate change, poverty, and inequality, aligning with the UK Government’s environmental priorities, including the goal to move toward a net zero waste economy.
Key Recommendations for a Circular Digital Sector:
- Centralised Legacy ICT Management: Streamlining the handling of outdated tech to maximise recovery and reduce waste.
- Material Recovery Awareness: Promoting knowledge of emerging recovery technologies and refurbished device availability.
- Procurement for Circularity: Encouraging the purchase of long-lasting, repairable, and recyclable products.
- Standards Adoption: Using BS 8887-220 and BS 8887-211 to ensure trust in refurbished and remanufactured devices.
- Designing for Longevity: Embedding circular principles from the product design stage to reduce reliance on the linear “take-make-waste” model.
- Transparency in Materials: Requiring tech companies to disclose product components to empower informed purchasing.
- Education and Awareness: Launching campaigns, training, and knowledge hubs to build understanding and engagement.
- Measuring Circularity: Implementing standardised Scope 3 emissions methodologies across public sector entities.
The transition to a circular economy in the ICT sector is not just an environmental imperative, it’s a strategic opportunity to build resilience, reduce carbon emissions, and create a more equitable digital future. By addressing financial and security barriers and fostering behavioural change, the GDSA’s recommendations offer a practical path forward for government and industry alike.
