Circular Economy

CIRCULAR ECONOMY generates huge business and economic opportunities

The circular economy is a modern framework that is restorative by design, it has multiple society-wide benefits and it aims to redefine business growth. This model not only reduces environmental and electronic waste, but it builds economic capital by keeping products and materials in use for much longer.

Companies can now recover and refurbish electronics according to the client’s compliance and auditing needs. with every electronic device at end-of-life becoming Each report provides detailed information that helps a new resource rather than merely being discarded. companies comply with regulations like PoPIA, GDPR, ISO This model allows business leaders to make better 27001, FISMA, HIPAA and SOX. All activities are logged to informed choices about how they can optimise IT asset ensure transparency and tight security throughout the management. auditing process. To prevent any tampering, the reports Transitioning to a circular economy generates huge also include a digital signature for optimal security. business and economic opportunities. It recognises the value The asset then goes through a vigorous certified of ‘waste’ and repurposes these items as alternative resources refurbished process (CRS) whereby every component of that can be used again in a circular cycle. The new trend is the asset is refurbed into a retail standard. Once all internal to rather refurbish than recycle, businesses are finding new components are refurbed, the aesthetics of the device innovative ways to maximise profits through green initiatives. is also refurbished so that not only will it run like a new Xperien IT Asset Disposal (ITAD) expert Bridgette Vermaak device, but it will also look like a new device. says the days of simply disposing of old electronics are over, “Although most of our clients are corporates in the responsible thing today is to implement a sustainable IT the financial sector, I was recently approached by a asset program by engaging with school to do an a reputable IT asset management Once all internal components are evaluation of their company that can provide the effective recovery, reuse and refurbed, the aesthetics of the device is ITAD processes. They required assistance retirement of redundant IT assets. also refurbished so that not only will it with the disposal “We help customers move run like a new device. of its redundant IT away from the traditional linear equipment,” she adds. economy by encouraging a Although they more circular economy by keeping IT assets in use for saved 75% on their IT spend, the school’s decision was as long as possible instead of disposing of them at not purely from a cost saving perspective but more about an early stage,” she says. Once an asset has contributing towards the environment and supporting the been received, Xperien first takes care of local economy. the data compliance issues and ensures “The school received their certified refurbished assets that all data is effectively removed from with a 3 year next day warranty. They are extremely happy the device according to customer and with their decision and they also mentioned that most staff regulatory requirements. thought the equipment was new and didn’t even realise “There are of course a lot of that the assets were refurbished,” she concludes. additional reporting procedures that Computers, phones and other digital devices don’t then take place as to give clients and their auditors piece need to be discarded, they can be refurbished and either of mind that they have followed best practice during a reused or sold. However, one must ensure that refurbished disposal,” she explains. systems are ISO certified and audited. Certified Refurbished Xperien provides a comprehensive, digitally-signed System (CRS) is an industry standard that gives consumers Certificate of Erasure after each erasure. Reporting can piece of mind knowing that they have purchased from an be customised to include a wide variety of custom fields accredited reseller with good aftersales service.

What’s Hot or Not

Avoiding Fake News Activist group Sleeping Giants began in 2016 as a way to notify brands when their ads were placed on hate-group websites. As a result of programmatic advertising, brands had no knowledge that their ads were placed next to offensive material. In the wake of COVID-19 they have turned their attention to fake news. Springwise, a company that focuses on innovations, notes that using AI to detect malicious online campaigns is a field that is going to grow in the future.

Nanononsense We all know nanotechnology is a new and growing scientific frontier. The emergence of nanotechnology in the agriculture environment is also nothing new. However, a University of California, San Diego team of plant biologists are pushing new frontiers with a nanosensor that tracks real-time changes in plant cell enzymes. It can for instance trigger the opening and closing of small pores on the surface of leaves - preventing too much water from evaporating from the plant. Sounds pretty cool and we suppose as an added bonus the nanosensors will add extra crunch to breakfast cereal.

Robocop Distancing With social distancing widely recognised as one of the means to inhibit the transmission of COVID-19 the authorities in Singapore have developed a four-legged robot designed to advise visitors to one of its national parks - Bishan-Ang Mo Kio – to keep their distance. The robot called ‘Spot’ apparently has built in sensors to avoid collisions and even has a human handler to boot. We suppose it gives new meaning to the question: Who let the dogs out?

Keep Out How times have changed. Not too long ago fitness apps and other associated apparel were using heat maps to help outdoor and exercise addicts identify the ‘happening’ new places to exercise. Nowadays heat map features are helping people to avoid the places most likely to be crowded. Our take on this development? Expect a surge in trespassing.

The Russians are advancing! Well, not really, if you have a military assault in mind, but they are in the biotech field. Therefore it would probably be more precise to say the ‘Milekons’ are advancing. Say what? A Russian biotech company – Vjatsky Agroconcern – has developed a nanofilm food preservative, which is a combination of ammonium, sugar, alcohol and sodium chloride. They have coined it Milekons and it has the potential to revolutionise the food waste market as a tonne of food can be coated for as little as €2. To this, we simply say Nazdarovya!