Refurbish, Reuse, Re-think: Our entrepreneurial approach to fighting global e-waste
From 5G networks and ultra-reliable low latency connectivity, to edge computing and network slicing, internet connectivity is evolving faster than ever.
Global telecom companies are constantly upgrading their networks to deliver faster speeds, smarter services, and better performance. And each innovation cycle brings new fixed and mobile infrastructure into play, leaving last year’s cutting-edge technology collecting dust.
The result? Electronic waste or e-waste, in the form of outdated modems, servers, routers, fibre cables, antennas and satellite receptors – the nuts and bolts of the telco system.
But while this technology may be classified as outdated, most of it still works perfectly well, and in many parts of the world, this same technology can continue to serve digital communities for decades to come.
This is the origin of Re-think, the circular solutions arm of Liberty Blume, part of the Liberty Global family. We’re providing companies with an end-to-end solution for reducing their environmental impact by identifying and reusing customer premise equipment (CPE) and core network infrastructure, connecting sellers with buyers in the wider telco space.
Behind Re-think, our circular approach to the fast-paced world of telecom
We launched Re-think in April 2024, with nothing but a bold idea: that much of the technology we had within the Liberty Global footprint could – and should – be refurbished and resold, not scrapped or left to gather dust. It was a theory that leadership gave us the green light to scope.
An engineer by background with deep procurement experience, I’ve spent my career mastering the innovation cycles of telecom – negotiating contracts for everything from set-top boxes and modems to cloud infrastructure and data centers, and in the process getting to truly understand the value of these assets across different markets.
So we started Re-think with a pilot. I connected with colleagues across our Liberty markets to gather a list of equipment that was still functional and capable of a second life.
We established a model: first working with corporate clients to identify unused inventory in their portfolio for resale, linking with software providers to make firmware updates, then working with refurbishing partners to restore assets to the highest industry standard. From there, we leveraged our extensive global network to identify potential buyers and manage the resale journey end-to-end, leading on certifications, shipping logistics and integration.
It’s been a successful trial run, and we’ve quickly scaled. What began with a few sample units turned into a 25,000-device order – and has now grown into orders ranging in the hundreds of thousands of devices.
We’re now working with the largest telcos beyond the Liberty Global footprint, in European and North American markets. And our first buyers came from Latin America, where operators needed affordable, high-quality tech — even if it wasn’t the latest model. Since then, we’ve expanded our reach to telcos across the region, alongside Africa, Eastern Europe and parts of Asia.
Where business meets sustainability
We’re yet another Liberty Global story of “corporate intrapreneurship”, where innovative ideas within the company get the investment, access to industry connections and expertise to scale into standalone businesses.
Re-think is part of Liberty Blume, established as a new Liberty Global company specializing in world-class tech-powered solutions, including business, financial and procurement services. For two decades, our Liberty Blume team have been the driving force behind some of Liberty Global’s most complex and high-stakes projects across our operating companies and joint ventures in Europe.
We believe Re-think can become the world’s biggest reseller of customer premises equipment, taking a major stake in a relatively untapped market.
And we’re offering a novel selling point – unlike traditional resellers that offload bulk lots with no guarantees, we’re ensuring every piece of tech works, comes with the latest software, and includes integration support. We also track buyers and offer buyback options at end-of-life – for sustainable disposal and true circularity.
The result is a win-win. Buyers reduce equipment costs and emissions, sellers unlock new revenue streams and fight e-waste. And together, we’re reducing the industry’s environmental footprint.
By treating used technology as a business opportunity – not a liability – we’re creating real change in a space that needs it. We’re proving that business growth and environmental impact don’t have to be at odds. They might just go hand in hand.
