According to a 2019 report by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), the Philippines generates an estimated 1.1 million tons of electronic waste annually, with only a fraction being properly recycled or disposed of. As consumers eagerly embrace the latest gadgets and devices, this staggering volume of discarded electronics, or e-waste, laden with hazardous materials like lead, mercury, and cadmium, finds its way into landfills and informal recycling facilities.
These toxic byproducts of our digital age leach into the soil, contaminate water sources, and release noxious fumes into the atmosphere, jeopardizing fragile ecosystems and exposing vulnerable communities to potential health risks.
Humble Sustainability, a startup in the Philippines, is pioneering a solution to this electronic waste crisis. By harnessing advanced recycling technologies and employing eco-friendly practices, Humble Sustainability is diverting hazardous e-waste from landfills and informal recycling sites, mitigating the detrimental impact on the environment and public health.
The startup was founded in 2021 by Niña Opida and Josef Werker, two experienced startup leaders. Their latest investment round was led by Asia-focused venture capital firm Gobi Partners.
“We’re delighted to back Humble Sustainability’s mission and growth locally and globally, contributing to the circular economy’s expansion. Considering Asia has been previously recorded to contribute to almost half the world’s e-waste, it’s encouraging to witness the rise of circular economy initiatives in the Philippines,” said Jason Gaisano, co-founder of the Gobi-Core Philippine Fund.
Recycling e-waste, one device at a time
This climate tech leader has a refreshingly straightforward approach: bringing IT equipment back into circularity.
Their mission cuts straight to the heart of the growing e-waste crisis plaguing the nation and the world — to provide businesses with a sustainable solution for their used laptops, desktops, phones, and monitors.
But this isn’t just about getting rid of old equipment, it’s about maximizing its value and giving it a second life through refurbishment and resale.
Humble Sustainability boasts “excellent service and high value recovery,” a promise that ensures businesses can recoup their investment while drastically minimizing their environmental footprint. And their impact extends far beyond individual transactions.
Positioning themselves as a true “ESG partner,” Humble Sustainability works hand-in-hand with clients to achieve their environmental, social, and governance goals. They go the extra mile by providing climate data — a crucial tool for businesses aiming to track and optimize their sustainability efforts in a tangible, measurable way.
So far, the startup has helped over 75 businesses and “Humblers” (individuals using their service) in the Philippines to recycle their e-waste.
But the company’s ambition stretches beyond the Philippines. With a vision of reintroducing a staggering one billion items into the circular economy by 2030, Humble Sustainability is setting its sights on a global transformation.
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The Humble formula
Humble Sustainability offers a four-step process for businesses to recycle their e-waste and turn it into cash:
- Evaluation & Proposal:
- Businesses simply send Humble Sustainability a list of their unwanted IT equipment.
- The startup then evaluates the equipment and sends a proposal outlining a plan for maximizing its value.
- Delivery & QC:
- Once a plan is agreed upon, businesses can deliver their IT equipment to Humble Sustainability’s warehouse.
- The startup meticulously sorts and inspects each item.
- Businesses receive a detailed report on the condition of their equipment.
- Recycling & Reselling:
- The startup leverages its network of B2B buyers to find the best possible use for each equipment item.
- This network includes resellers, refurbishers, and recyclers.
- Businesses are kept informed throughout the process with sales reports and revenue generated.
- Long-Term Partnership:
- Humble Sustainability aims to build long-term partnerships with its clients.
- They offer ongoing support to businesses in managing their IT assets and work with them on their ESG initiatives.
Looking Ahead: IT equipment in a circular future
According to the United Nations Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR), the world will have produced 82 million tonnes of e-waste by 2030.
While Humble Sustainability is currently tackling the e-waste challenge within the IT equipment sector, their track record raises intriguing questions about the scalability of their model into other sectors.
Ultimately, realizing the full potential of the circular economy will require collaboration between innovators, policymakers, and corporations on a global scale. But trailblazers like Humble Sustainability have demonstrated that circular solutions are not only possible but imperative in the face of the world’s mounting waste challenges.
