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How Virgin Media O2 is cutting network emissions with hardware circularity and reuse

Virgin Media O2 has avoided 5,262 tonnes of carbon dioxide emissions over a decade through a network equipment circularity programme with TXO, equivalent to taking 1,100 cars off the road for a year, the company says.

The initiative avoided 4,575 tonnes by refurbishing and reselling infrastructure like switches and routers, with a further 687 tonnes saved by purchasing secondary-market replacement gear. Savings were calculated via TXO’s Carbon Calculator, developed alongside the Carbon Trust, Virgin Media O2 announced August 11.

Additionally, TXO also recycled over 690 tonnes of end-of-life hardware, with steel, aluminum, and copper making up nearly 60% of recovered materials. The domestic processing supports Virgin Media O2’s target to reach net zero carbon emissions by 2040, according to the company.

“This partnership shows that circularity can deliver measurable carbon savings, reduce waste, recover valuable materials and create commercial return,” said TXO Chief Product and Asset Recovery Officer David Evans.

Some AI tools assisted in the crafting of this report.