IT Asset Disposition (ITAD) company Xperien recently launched its new corporate identity, to represent its “unwavering commitment to sustainability and circular economy principles”.
ESG Global recently caught up with its CEO Wale Arewa, to ask him three clever questions about quantifiable metrics, tech industry influence and due diligence processes.
What quantifiable metrics is Xperien using to measure the actual environmental impact of its ‘Refurbish. Redeploy. Recycle’ strategy, with specific reference to reduction in raw material extraction, the decrease in e-waste sent to landfills, and the overall carbon footprint reduction achieved through its operations?
Xperien’s Refurbish. Redeploy. Recycle. strategy is aligned with global best practices for responsible resource management and circular IT. To quantify our environmental impact, we use the e-Stewards Global Impact Calculator, which allows us to measure avoided carbon emissions, reduced raw material extraction, and responsible e-waste diversion with accuracy and transparency.
1. Scope 4 – avoided carbon emissions: Through the refurbishment and redeployment of Tier 1, greenhouse gases that would have been released had new devices been manufactured have been avoided. Each refurbished laptop or desktop prevents the extraction, production, and shipping emissions of new hardware.
2. Scope 3 – responsible e-waste disposal: End-of-life IT assets are processed through R2v3-certified downstream partners, minimising environmental harm. This reduces emissions associated with improper e-waste disposal, such as toxic leakage, informal burning, or landfill methane release.
3. Material recovery and waste diversion: The total weight of IT assets diverted from landfill annually and the materials recovered (plastics, metals, glass) are tracked. This contributes to reduced demand for virgin resources and supports South Africa’s transition to a more circular and low-carbon economy.
How is the broader IT industry being proactively influenced towards more sustainable practices that promote a circular economy model in the tech sector?
1. Championing circular IT practices: By introducing structured ITAD solutions to the South African market, businesses are able to securely refurbish, redeploy, or recycle retired IT assets. This reduces e-waste and extends the usable life of technology equipment.
2. Promoting lifecycle value through redeployment: With solutions like the “Joiners, Movers, and Leavers” programme, organisations unlock maximum value from their IT investments. By redeploying existing assets internally, clients reduce procurement costs and environmental impact.
3. Thought leadership and industry engagement: Ongoing awareness campaigns, strategic partnerships, and public engagements, raises awareness around the environmental and economic benefits of circular IT practices. The company’s thought leadership continues to influence policy, procurement, and sustainability standards within the tech sector.
4. Building a responsible reverse supply chain: Xperien works with corporate clients, recyclers, and regulators to ensure full compliance with data security, environmental, and transboundary e-waste regulations. This transparent and traceable approach supports a compliant and ethical IT disposal ecosystem across Africa.
The new corporate identity emphasises the importance of responsible resource management (SDG 12). There are, however, complex supply chains associated with IT assets. Please expand on due diligence processes in place to address potential issues such as conflict minerals, labour exploitation, and hazardous waste management to ensure the ethical sourcing and responsible disposal of materials throughout Xperien’s operations.
As a downstream IT asset remanufacturer, we operate within complex global supply chains and acknowledge the limitations of our influence over upstream manufacturing practices.
Xperien does not manufacture IT equipment and therefore does not control the sourcing of raw materials. However, we are highly selective in the assets we process — exclusively handling Tier 1 products from trusted OEMs such as Dell, HP, and Lenovo. While we cannot verify their full compliance regarding conflict minerals or labour practices, our preference for established brands reflects our intent to work within more transparent and accountable supply chains.
As a service-oriented remanufacturer, we maintain strict compliance with South African labour regulations. We apply the same standards when selecting partners and subcontractors, ensuring our downstream operations uphold fair labour practices.
There is full control over the downstream processing of retired IT assets. We are accredited under the R2v3 standard issued by Sustainable Recycling International, which ensures we meet global best practices for data security, environmental protection, and the responsible handling of e-waste and hazardous materials. All recycling activities are conducted through audited and compliant vendors within a documented, traceable system.
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