How the UK Government is Harnessing Technology Circularity

The UK Government’s Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) is becoming the first branch to adopt circular practices to make its procurement of technology much more sustainable.

This is being achieved by adopting its new End User Services (EUS) contract, which provides laptops, phones and tablets to colleagues.

These remanufactured devices are used units that are restored to meet the same quality standards as new products. The parts have been broken down to their individual components and rebuilt back to the manufacturer’s specification using both old and new parts.

Refurbished devices, meanwhile, are those that have undergone mostly cosmetic changes to bring the device back to a 'like-new' condition.

The contract is being delivered with Atos and its partners.

Katie Bishop, Digital Sustainability Lead, says: “When it came to the EUS procurement, it was great to see genuine enthusiasm and bold commitments on sustainability from a range of suppliers across the market.

“We were particularly impressed with the expertise, innovation and ambition for sustainable outcomes put forward by Atos, who were keen to support our aspiration for refurbished and remanufactured devices.

“We’re really looking forward to working with Atos and their partners to embed sustainability and social value not just in this contract, but more broadly across Defra’s digital, data and technology services.”

All sustainability, net zero and sustainable procurement leaders should attend:

• Procurement & Supply Chain LIVE: The Net Zero Summit - QEII Centre, London, March 4-5
  
  
• Procurement & Supply Chain LIVE: The US Summit - Navy Pier, Chicago, April 21-22

Co-located with Sustainability LIVE, these events brings together CPOs, CSCO, CSOs, ESG leaders and senior decision-makers at a moment when sustainability, supply chains and commercial performance are increasingly interconnected.

Tickets can be booked online today for The Net Zero Summit and The US Summit. Group discounts available.

Driving change at scale

While many might believe this is a small change for just one department, the impact is significant. The Defra group employs more than 30,000 people and manages around 72,000 devices. At this scale, the transition can drive huge change.

Defra predicts that, over the course of the five-year contract, 90% of its laptops, phones and tablets will be refurbished or remanufactured. This strategy includes redeployment to ensure existing devices are kept until the end of their functional life.

The move will see a reduction in carbon emissions by 44% and avoid the extraction of around 51,000 tonnes of raw materials. Compared to buying new devices, these savings will also help to preserve an estimated 12,000 megalitres of water.

There is also a direct benefit to the bottom line, as refurbished devices offer cost savings of up to 40%. This frees up resources to reinvest in frontline services or new areas of innovation.

Social value and global partnerships

Circularity also works in the opposite direction. When devices reach the end of their life, the government’s zero-to-landfill policy ensures that, in the right circumstances, these units are donated to social enterprises. This move aids digital inclusion and extends the lifespan of technology.

Partnerships are the bedrock of this initiative, including a prison workshop programme that helps to upskill and retrain individuals. Another partnership ensures that for every new phone or tablet bought, a phone in Africa is collected and recycled.

Defra has also introduced ‘amnesty’ days, giving colleagues the opportunity to recycle unused personal devices. Furthermore, the department is moving its logistics hub and expanding its network of smart lockers, secure units for easy device pickup and return.

This transition is designed to improve efficiency and reduce delivery-related CO2 emissions by more than 30%.

A performance-led approach to tech

There are also changes to how technology is managed, as Defra moves away from automatic upgrades towards a smarter, performance-led approach. Instead of replacing devices on a set date, the department will monitor performance, allowing it to fix or replace gear only when it is truly needed.

The introduction of role-based tech kits ensures staff receive exactly the tools required for their specific roles, helping to reduce electronic waste and keep costs down.

Sustainability is not treated as a standalone objective; Defra has embedded it throughout the contract through carefully designed key performance indicators, collaborative governance and proactive supplier engagement.

One notable feature is a class-leading shift in sustainability and social value weighting of 20%. This doubles the standard 10% weighting.