BEYOND EFFICIENCY: HOW DATA CENTRES CAN POWER THE CIRCULAR ECONOMY

> Sunil Kumar Ojha, Managing Principal, Ramboll Environment and Health, elaborates on how embracing circular economy practices can transform data centers from isolated entities into integrated community assets

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As global demand for digital services continues to rise, data centers have become critical infrastructure supporting modern life.

While energy efficiency and carbon reduction often dominate sustainability discussions, data centers also hold immense potential to contribute meaningfully to the circular economy, an economic model focused on eliminating waste, extending resource life, and regenerating natural systems.

One of the most impactful opportunities lies in e-waste recycling and resource recovery. Data centers generate substantial electronic waste due to rapid technology refresh cycles. Implementing robust e-waste recycling programs can ensure that old servers, storage devices, and networking equipment are disposed of responsibly and valuable materials are recovered and reused. By implementing structured take-back and recycling programs with certified recyclers, valuable materials such as copper, aluminum, gold, and rare earth metals can be recovered and reintroduced into manufacturing loops.