Fraunhofer Institute for Reliability and Microintegration IZMCircular Business Models for ICT Devices – Environmental Impact of Rental and Refurbishment
As part of the UNDRESS Circularity project, Fraunhofer IZM is working together with Circularity e.V., Systemiq, Deloitte, and twelve industry partners to explore the environmental potential of circular business models for information and communication technology (ICT). The focus lies on rental models ("Device-as-a-Service") and professional refurbishment for extended use of devices such as smartphones, laptops, digital cameras, and gaming consoles.
In the project the CBMI (Circular Business Model Impact) methodology was developed. It enables a practical assessment of the actual environmental impact of circular business models – with a particular focus on the product use phase. The approach incorporates usage patterns, reuse rates, and end-of-life pathways specific to the German market.
The findings reveal that many devices remain functional after their first use but are not reused – due to limited quality, low demand, or "hibernation" (being stored without further use).
The scientific report “Beyond Ownership – Environmental Impact of Rent and Refurbishment of ICT Devices” complements the practice-oriented industry report by Circularity with a strong focus on transparency around assumptions, data sources, and the methodological foundations of the developed impact model.
Key project partners include Deutsche Telekom, Vodafone, Everphone, Grover, Foxway, rebuy, Recommerce Group, and Ingram Micro Lifecycle. The project is funded by the German Federal Environmental Foundation (DBU).
For further information, please visit: www.circularity.me/undress
