In the USA, HiTech Assets, renamed CircleIT, is committed to creating a circular economy for technology products. It began by making it easier for consumers to reuse their used appliances. All they have to do is enter some basic information about their device on the CircleIT website. They then receive a shipping code, which they take with them to a FedEx store. For a flat fee of $12, FedEx ships the device to CircleIT’s processing center, where the data is securely erased. CircleIT then reconverts the device, giving it a second life in one of many possible contexts. For example, many of CircleIT’s used laptops are refurbished and donated to students who can’t afford to buy a computer. Meanwhile, consumers can see exactly how their appliances are being reused. Within 30 days of receiving the device, CircleIT issues an electronic impact report detailing what has become of it and how much waste has been avoided thanks to its reuse.
