One of the best examples of the circular economy in Denmark is the company Tier1 Assets. By renovating and reselling used computers when other companies buy new ones, Tier1 Assets reduces the electronic waste. It is estimated that around 50 million tons of electronic gets wasted every year.
The founder of Tier1 Assets, Peter Hemicke, got the idea to create the company long before circular economy got on the political agenda. He worked in another company and had the responsibility to sell used computers, when new ones were bought, but there was not really a market for used electronic devices.
The circular economy holds the potential for Danish companies to become more resourceefficient and competitive. Strengthened competitiveness and exports can increase employment and assign Denmark the role of a pioneer country
This is a good example that shows how workers green and good ideas can help speeding up the green transition.
The circular economy holds the potential for Danish companies to become more resourceefficient and competitive. Strengthened competitiveness and exports can increase employment and assign Denmark the role of a pioneer country, says Bente Sorgenfrey, Vice President Danish Trade Union Confederation.
The circular economy
The circular economy is about moving from a linear production to methods of production where materials are kept in a circuit and the need for new raw materials is reduced.
A more circular economy, however, will require development and dissemination of new ways of thinking and business models among both authorities, companies and households.
Every piece of electronic device getting renovated saves between 125 and 350 kilo CO2. So, it is not a small saving then Tier1 Assets buys around 250.00 computers every year and only one percent of these are not reusable.
Even though it could be cheaper to have the production in countries with lower cost than Denmark the owner keeps the production in Denmark with workers on collective agreements. The company can compete with other companies abroad on higher efficiency and higher performance. At the same time, it is easier to keep track of that the residual products from the production does not end up in the nature.
Tier1 Asssets
Tier1 Asssets was founded in 2001 by Peter Hemicke. Today, the company has a turnover of DKK 250 million a year and grows annually by around 20 percent.