Cost and complexity hinder the return and recycling of home broadband equipment

Electronic waste (e-waste) from obsolete home broadband equipment, such as modems, routers and set-top boxes, is generated when fixed operators upgrade customers’ devices or when consumers move from one provider to another. Managing this e-waste is costly and complex, and operators’ reporting of their processes is limited and inconsistent.

However, a number of operators are now implementing circular economy models. This article provides examples of how some operators are managing the challenges of e-waste across the entire home device lifecycle, from design and manufacturing to end-of-life disposal.