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Broadband and mobile giant Virgin Media and O2 is estimated to have saved 5,262 tonnes of CO2 equivalent emissions over the last 10 years thanks to its partnership with TXO, which specialises in helping the network operator to recycle their old network equipment so that it can be returned to and sourced through the secondary market.
The data shows that the largest share, 4,575 tonnes of CO₂e, was achieved by refurbishing recovered network assets such as switches, routers, and line cards, and returning them to the telecoms market. The remaining 687 tonnes came from Virgin Media O2 sourcing replacement equipment through the secondary market rather than buying new.
The long-term programme to recover, refurbish, resell and responsibly recycle network equipment (end-of-life kit) meant that 690 tonnes worth was also diverted from landfill through responsible recycling, putting valuable metals back into UK resources. This is said to be equivalent to the weight of around 50 double-decker buses.
This includes cable, power packs, routers, switches and processor boards, with extracted steel, aluminium and copper accounting for almost 60% of the total recycled weight. By recovering and processing assets in the UK, including at its South Wales facility, TXO said they’re also helping to “keep more material value within the domestic economy“.
Paul Franey, Head of Reverse Logistics at VMO2, said:
“We want to extend the life of our network hardware so it can be reused, given a second life or disposed of sustainably. That’s why Virgin Media O2’s long-standing partnership with TXO plays an important role in our supply chain strategy, helping us maintain network equipment through testing, repair and refurbishment wherever possible.
The results of this programme demonstrate how a more circular approach to technology can benefit both the business and the environment.”
Other UK network operators, such as the BT Group (Openreach), also work with TXO.