In this blog, our Group ESG Manager, Sofia Peruzzo, draws on her recent participation at the ESG Climate Summit to reflect on the future of sustainability. As the pressure to deliver credible, measurable corporate ESG goals intensifies, organizations are being called to move beyond reporting and embed sustainability into every stage of the IT product lifecycle, from design through to responsible IT asset recovery and IT recycling solutions.
Why End of Life Technology Matters More Than Ever
Technology products are increasingly governed by stringent regulations that demand accountability for what happens when a device reaches the end of its useful life. The European Green Deal and its Circular Economy Action Plan, for example, have shifted the focus from waste management to product design and lifecycle sustainability.
This makes the end of life perspective critical. By designing for durability, repairability, modularity and traceability, we can extend product life, keep materials in circulation and minimise waste.
Circularity as a Lever for ESG goals
At its core, circularity tackles all three ESG pillars:
- Environmental: By reducing emissions, conserving raw materials, and diverting waste from landfill.
- Social: By promoting safe dismantling, fair supply chains and longer product lifespans, especially in underserved markets.
- Governance: By supporting stronger compliance, responsible partnerships and more resilient resource flows.
At SK Tes, our end to end technology lifecycle services help businesses put these principles into practice, combining open- and closed-loop solutions, parts harvesting, refurbishment, resale, and secure recycling.
Practical Building Blocks for Circular IT Products
Regulations like the Ecodesign for Sustainable Products Regulation (ESPR), which mandates Digital Product Passports, are raising the bar for what it means to make a “circular” product. But true circularity goes beyond box-ticking, it must be built on:
- Product Design: Use fewer hazardous materials, prioritise recycled and recyclable inputs, and enable easier disassembly.
- Traceability & Data: Deploy systems to track material flows, carbon footprints, and recovery rates — unlocking better decision-making and reporting.
- Value Chain Collaboration: Partner with suppliers, recyclers and refurbishment experts to close the loop effectively.
- Circular Business Models: Explore leasing, product-as-a-service or take-back schemes to keep resources in play longer.
Moving from ESG Data to Action
A key message that came through at the summit was that many organizations are strongly focusing on data, but using it to drive real change is where the impact happens. For example, we see companies using verified ESG measurements from their IT asset disposition (ITAD) programs to inform scope 3 carbon reporting, resource efficiency KPIs, and supply chain sustainability.
What’s Next for end of life hardware?
Designing for end of life is no longer an optional extra, it’s becoming a competitive advantage and a compliance necessity. At SK Tes, we continue to work alongside our partners to develop circular product strategies, embed ESG reporting across the value chain, and deliver solutions that align with the changing regulatory landscape.
The road to net zero and a resource-efficient future will be shaped by the choices we make today, starting with how we design, use, and recover the products that power our world.
About the Author
Sofia Peruzzo is Group ESG Manager at SK Tes, where she helps organisations build credible, data-driven sustainability programmes and circular solutions across the technology lifecycle.
Related Reading:
Why the New E-Waste Rules Matter and What Businesses Need To Know
ITAD's Role in Australia's New ESG Mandate
IEEE 2883-2022 Data Destruction Standards Explained
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