Rebooting e-junk: Old IT assets get second life

MANILA, Philippines — As the world barrels toward unprecedented technological advancement, an often overlooked consequence of our digital dependence is the growing mountain of electronic waste.

In the Philippines, where businesses regularly upgrade IT equipment to stay competitive, many used but still functional devices are left sitting idle in storage rooms, or worse, sent to landfills. The result? A silent but escalating environmental issue.

Manila-based Humble Sustainability is confronting this challenge head-on with an ambitious mission: bringing one billion IT assets back into circularity by 2030. The climate technology company is redefining responsible consumption and production in the digital age by transforming what many consider obsolete into valuable resources.

“E-waste isn’t just an environmental problem—it’s a missed opportunity,” explains Josef Werker, CEO and cofounder of Humble Sustainability. “Every device we rescue from disposal represents avoided emissions, reduced resource extraction, and tangible value recovery for our business partners.”

READ: WATCH: How e-waste should be disposed

Humble’s approach aligns with United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 12 (Responsible Consumption and Production), highlighting how businesses can decouple growth from environmental degradation through innovative circular models.

Since its founding, the company has forged partnerships with over 75 forward-thinking organizations, including Peza-registered companies, multinational corporations, BPOs, and tech startups. Major clients like Shopee, Amti, Canva, Manulife, and Sunlife have embraced this model, many engaging in repeat partnerships as they witness both environmental and financial benefits.

The impact has been substantial. In 2024, Humble successfully diverted more than 250,000 kilograms of electronic waste from landfills—equivalent to 116,279 laptops. This achievement not only prevents toxic materials from contaminating soil and water sources but also recovers valuable elements like gold, silver, and rare earth metals.

A key pillar of Humble’s model is repurposing functional IT equipment and giving it a second life, whether by refurbishing laptops for redeployment to new users, donating to educational institutions, or reselling to other businesses in need. By extending the life cycle of IT assets, Humble helps meet real-world demand for affordable tech while keeping usable devices in circulation longer.

“Many businesses are surprised to discover that their outdated IT equipment still holds significant value,” notes Niña Opida, Humble’s cofounder and COO. “By properly managing these assets, companies simultaneously strengthen their ESG credentials, recover capital from dormant resources, and contribute meaningfully to environmental protection.”

The company’s innovative approach has attracted backing from climate-focused investors, including Gobi Partners through their Gobi-Core Philippine Fund, ADB Ventures, the National Development Company, and other strategic partners. This support has enabled Humble to scale its operations and enhance its data-driven ESG reporting platform, which provides clients with detailed impact metrics for sustainability reporting.

Recently nominated for the prestigious EarthShot Prize 2025, Humble exemplifies how Philippine startups can lead in developing climate solutions with global relevance. Their model provides businesses a practical pathway to incorporate circular economy principles into their operations while maintaining focus on their core competencies.

By reimagining how we value and manage technology throughout its life cycle, Humble is proving that environmental stewardship and business success can advance hand in hand. —Contributed

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For more information on sustainable IT asset management, contact Humble Sustainability at team@humblesustainability.com or call +639171039005.

(2025/05/15-04:50)