Methodology

Electronic device refurbishing

RIV-REC-01-ELEC

V2.1

Overall Available Credits

39083

tCOeq

Overall forecasted delivery

227445

tCOeq

Most used mechanism

Avoidance

Last Update

August 2, 2024

using this methodology

10

Projects

Electronic device refurbishing

About the methodology

Small IT and telecommunication equipment contribute around 2% of global greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, with a rapidly growing impact. These devices also consume rare minerals and produce increasing amounts of hazardous waste, with the greatest environmental impact occurring during manufacturing. Extending device lifetimes through repair and refurbishment significantly reduces emissions by lessening the need for new production and decreasing electronic waste.

The Riverse methodology supports projects that collect, repair, and resell small electronic devices, promoting a circular economy. This document provides a concise overview of our methodology.

Electronic device refurbishing

August 2, 2024

-

V2.1

Technology

Quantification graph

Reconditioning electronic devices involves a series of steps aimed at restoring used devices to a functional and presentable condition. The process typically includes:

  • Inspection and Assessment: Evaluating the device's functionality and external condition.
  • Repairs and Upgrades: Replacing defective components or upgrading parts, often requiring skilled technicians.
  • Testing: Ensuring the device operates as intended.
  • Cleaning: Enhancing the appearance of the device through thorough cleaning.
  • Software Update: Resetting or updating the software to its original state.
  • Packaging: Preparing the device for resale.

Scientific approach

Quantification

Quantification graph

The IT refurbishing model quantification takes into account every part of a project-based comparative life-cycle assessment.

The methodology quantifies GHG emissions avoided compared to baseline scenarios using the ISO 14064-2 standard. Key aspects include:

Baseline Scenario:

  • Assumes the typical end-of-life treatment for devices and the production of new devices, for the given country where it was collected.
  • Includes a share of refurbished devices in the typical consumer purchase of a new device.

Project Scenario:

  • Transportation for collection of the devices.
  • Considers the residual value of the collected devices on the refurbishing market, indicating they are not merely waste but possess significant worth.
  • Includes the refurbishing process (accounts for energy and material inputs).
  • Enhanced recycling of the devices that couldn’t be refurbished.

Functional Unit:

  • The use of one electronic device for one year, normalized to account for the lifespan of new vs. refurbished devices.

Calculations:

  • Emissions from new device production and end-of-life treatment are compared to those from the refurbishing process.
  • Emission factors for new and refurbished products are sourced from established databases like Ecoinvent and specific studies (e.g., ADEME's LCA of reconditioned electronics).

Main Scientific Resources:

  • European Commission: Moeslinger, M., Almasy, K., Jamard, M. et al., Towards an effective right to repair for electronics – Overcoming legal, political, and supply barriers to contribute to circular electronics in the EU, Publications Office of the European Union, 2022. [DOI link]
  • The French Environment and Energy Management Agency (ADEME): Bureau Veritas, Assessment of the environmental impact of a set of refurbished products – Final report, 2022. [ADEME Report]
  • Ellen MacArthur Foundation: Goddin, J., et al., Circularity Indicators: An Approach to Measuring Circularity, Methodology, 2019. [DOI link]
  • Freitag et al. The real climate and transformative impact of ICT: A Critique of estimates, trends, and regulations, Patterns, 2021. [DOI link]
  • Pamminger, R., Glaser, S., Wimmer, W., Modelling of different circular end-of-use scenarios for smartphones, International Journal of Life Cycle Assessment, 2021. [DOI link]
  • Ecoinvent Database version 3
  • Kouloumpis, V., Konstantzos, G.E., Chroni, C., Abeliotis, K., Lasaridi, K., Does the circularity end justify the means? A life cycle assessment of preparing waste electrical and electronic equipment for reuse, Sustainable Production and Consumption, 2023. [DOI link]

Core criteria of the methodology

GHG quantification
Permanence
Additionality
Environmental Do No Harm
Leakage
Monitoring & Verification

Compliance

Greenhouse Gas (GHG) Emissions Calculation

We adhere to the ISO14064-2 standard to accurately quantify GHG emissions reductions and sequestration. Our approach ensures that all calculations are transparent, consistent, and reliable.

Project Reporting

All our projects must comply with the General Standard Rules in accordance with ICVCM and ICROA requirements. This ensures the highest level of integrity and transparency in our reporting processes.

Audit and Verification

Every project undergoes rigorous validation and recurring verification/monitoring audits by accredited Validation and Verification Bodies (VVBs). This process guarantees the credibility and accuracy of our projects' emissions reductions.

Credit TraceabilitY

Our registry offers end-to-end traceability for the lifecycle of our credits, preventing double counting or double claiming. This system ensures that each credit's history is fully transparent and accountable.

Projects using this methodology

Overall Available Credits

39083

tCOeq

Cobenefits most found in the projects

Achieve gender equality and empower all women and girls

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Promote sustained, inclusive and sustainable economic growth, full and productive employment and decent work for all.

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Ensure sustainable consumption and production patterns.

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Open the document

Eligibility criteria

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All projects must comply with the following eligibility criteria: Measurability, Reality, Additionality, Permanence (not applicable here, avoidance credits), No Double Counting, Co-benefits, Substitution, Environmental and Social Do No Harm, Leakage, Technology Readiness Level, Target Alignments, and Minimum Impact.

Specific Scope for IT Refurbishing Projects:

  • Covers projects that carry out the technical aspects of refurbishment. Activities that only collect used devices (e.g., buyback schemes) or serve as marketplaces for refurbishers are not eligible projects.
  • Distinguishes between two types of refurbishing, both of which are eligible:
    • Light refurbishing: Focuses on cosmetic or minor technical repairs of existing device parts.
    • Full refurbishing: Involves an intensive process that includes replacing some device components.
  • Covers small consumer electronic devices such as smartphones, laptops, tablets, desktop computers, and screens. Larger devices like washing machines and vacuum cleaners are not included under this framework.

Versioning history

Version management is handled through a system that ensures consistency and traceability of changes.

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