ABB Cuts Industrial E-Waste in Quest for Circularity

ABB has a significant presence in global manufacturing, constantly pursuing innovations that combine industrial growth with environmental consciousness.

As a leader in engineering solutions, encompassing robotics, power, and automation technologies, ABB interweaves its corporate strategy with robust environmental policies.

Located in Switzerland, the manufacturer provides cutting-edge sustainable solutions including advanced electrification and digital systems to sectors like mining to reduce dependency on traditional, unsustainable operational methods.

Shifting paradigms

Instead of adhering to the conventional 'take-make-dispose' model, ABB champions a 'reduce-reuse-recycle' methodology.

Beyond mere compliance with environmental regulations, this restructured approach allows ABB to lessen its reliance on new raw materials.

This strategic shift is also instrumental in slashing emission levels and promoting the recovery of natural ecosystems.

Such initiatives by ABB manifest not only in policy but in tangible outcomes, visibly altering the company's operational landscape and industrial output, curbing ecological impacts while fostering economic efficiency.

This balance is critical in promoting long-term sustainability both within and beyond the borders of ABB.

"End-to-end traceability and extending the lifecycle of our products is crucial, especially in the face of a rising global demand for critical materials," says Marie-Hélène Westholm-Knebel, Global Head of Sustainability at ABB Energy Industries.

"Without the transformation of production and consumption models to support the circular economy, we cannot meaningfully preserve natural resources and cut emissions.

"Our collaborations with recycling partners ensure that sustainability standards are upheld from the very beginning to the final stage of a product's lifecycle."

A remarkable reduction in E-waste

ABB's commitment to environmental stewardship is exemplified by its Parts Circularity programme, introduced four years ago.

Since its inception, the programme has seen a staggering decrease in the amount of industrial electronic waste.

Initially, in 2020, ABB disposed of 214.5 kg of electronic waste into landfills.

Fast forward to the end of 2023, and that number has dramatically dropped to just 14.2 kg.

The programme strategically focuses on repairing, reutilising, and recycling defective electronic components.

By doing so, it maximises the lifecycle of parts, which, in turn, conserves resources and significantly reduces waste.

Collaboration with recycling specialists like Stena Recycling in Europe and Ohio Drop Off in the USA ensures that each component is meticulously evaluated and certified, guaranteeing the sustainability of the materials used.

ABB: Incentivising sustainable choices

Moreover, ABB incentivises its customers by offering a trade-in of defective parts for remanufactured or refurbished ones.

This not only aids in sustaining an eco-friendly business model but also proves cost-efficient, diminishing the demand for newly mined resources.

For components beyond repair, ABB employs a detailed process of disassembling, inspecting, and cleaning before reusing the parts to create remanufactured components, further augmenting the company’s recycling precision.

"The success of this programme has already been proven at industrial plants around the world where our customers have service agreements that enable them to play an active role in striving for a circular economy," says Paul Sundt, Service Segment Manager at ABB Energy Industries.

"We hope to see this continue as more customers realise the value, and improved sustainability, that can be generated across their supply chain." 

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