IVL Swedish Environmental Research Institute

This feasibility study explores how digital traceability can enable more circular and resource-efficient handling of outdated telecommunication network equipment, through data-driven processes and stakeholder collaboration. Conducted by IVL Swedish Environmental Research Institute, Ericsson, and Boliden with support from Vinnova, it was part of the Net Zero Industry programme. The study is based on a qualitative research approach and includes literature review, stakeholder interviews, workshops, and practical trials. It maps current practices in the Swedish telecom industry, covering regulatory and behavioural dimensions as well as technical infrastructure.

The physical trial, where outdated equipment from two sites was tagged and traced digitally, revealed both operational opportunities and practical limitations, such as on-site working conditions and lack of continuity in traceability beyond the first sorting on different material fractions. A subset of the materials, including printed circuit boards, was analyzed by Boliden to evaluate the commercial and environmental value of recycling. Key findings demonstrate that circularity in telecom is hindered by fragmented data flows, limited incentives, inconsistent regulations, and inefficient recycling of some critical raw materials (CRMs). However, there are significant opportunities to improve reuse rates, reduce emissions, and support sustainability reporting through centralized digital platforms. Digital tools can play a pivotal role in enabling circular economy practices by improving transparency, automating emissions reporting, and supporting financial and environmental decision-making. For these systems to scale, they must be user-friendly and compatible with evolving policies such as extended producer responsibility and product passports.

While digital traceability platforms offer immediate value, further work is needed to compare the lifecycle impacts of reuse versus recycling flows and to explore the viability of full material loops using secondary raw materials. Stakeholders emphasized the need for improved data integration and standardisation, policy alignment, clarification of ownership models and feedback loops. Evidently, telecom operators play a critical role in setting requirements when procuring, and producers need to work on their business model to enable reuseability and circular handling, while ASPs (Authorized Service Providers), refurbishers and recyclers are key touchpoints for traceability. Implementing systematic changes in the telecom industry will align with broader sustainability goals, such as achieving net-zero emissions and fostering a resilient global economy. With the right combination of regulatory frameworks, technological advancements, and industry leadership, the telecom sector can become a beacon of sustainability, setting a precedent for other industries to follow.