BT has expanded its global e-waste programme for business customers by teaming up with networking giant Cisco to offer a new circular economy service.
Companies upgrading their network and IT infrastructure to support new multi-cloud deployments will be provided with a takeback service that will see BT environmental specialists map their sustainability requirements.
Replaced or decommissioned electronic equipment from a customer’s network will be shipped back to Cisco to be responsibility reused or recycled through its takeback and reuse programme. Up to 99.9% of what is returned will be reused or recycled, BT said.
BT now has Cisco-certified environmental specialists in the UK, US, Italy, Ireland, Switzerland and Singapore to manage the process. Other countries will be added to the new programme by the end of 2022.
BT chief product & digital officer Hriday Ravindranath said: “E-waste is a growing concern and according to the World Economic Forum it is now the fastest-growing waste stream in the world.
“Our customers and partners have made commitments to report on and improve performance in this critical area. Creating a more sustainable, circular economy, where we prioritise dematerialisation and avoid equipment going to landfill, is vital. It builds on our leadership in sustainability and will help deliver on our BT Group Manifesto commitments and ambition to connect for good.”
