Boosting the circular economy | Orange
Giving devices multiple lives
At Orange, the circular economy is a key pillar of our environmental strategy, helping reduce our carbon footprint and conserve natural resources. Our priorities are clear: extend the life of our equipment, embrace refurbishment, collect items for reuse or recycling, and transform processes to embed circularity at every level. From product design to end-of-life, we take concrete actions that support our goal of achieving Net Zero Carbon by 2040.
Our RE program (repair, refurbishment, returns, recycling) drives our circular economy approach across all businesses and countries. In Europe, we offer repair services that let customers keep their devices longer. This meets a clear demand: 78% of customers want phones that are easy to repair, according to our 2023 internal study.
We also promote the sale of refurbished mobile devices, targeting 10% of our mobile sales in Europe.
For the Paris 2024 Olympic and Paralympic Games, we took on a special challenge: giving network cables a second life. In partnership with Decelect, every used RJ45 cable is sorted, cleaned, and tested before returning to stock. This initiative shows that every component, no matter how small, can contribute to a more circular and responsible model.
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The circular economy gives our equipment multiple lives instead of buying new
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The circular economy gives our equipment multiple lives instead of buying new
Our RE program (repair, refurbishment, returns, recycling) drives our circular economy approach across all businesses and countries. In Europe, we offer repair services that let customers keep their devices longer. This meets a clear demand: 78% of customers want phones that are easy to repair, according to our 2023 internal study.
We also promote the sale of refurbished mobile devices, targeting 10% of our mobile sales in Europe.
For the Paris 2024 Olympic and Paralympic Games, we took on a special challenge: giving network cables a second life. In partnership with Decelect, every used RJ45 cable is sorted, cleaned, and tested before returning to stock. This initiative shows that every component, no matter how small, can contribute to a more circular and responsible model.
Circular economy, tangible impact
Our circular economy initiatives create measurable benefits for the environment, our customers, our partners, and our company. Here’s how they make a difference.
Reducing our carbon footprint
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Circular practices play a key role in reducing greenhouse gas emissions, accounting for 10% to 15% of our already identified decarbonization efforts.
Creating inclusive jobs
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In France, our partnership with the social enterprise Les Ateliers du Bocage creates one employment opportunity for every 25,000 recycled mobile phones.
Driving economic development in Africa
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Our Master Repairer program transforms the lives of hundreds of young people in Morocco, Tunisia, Senegal, and Egypt, giving them valuable mobile repair skills. Our collection centers in Africa have recycled the equivalent of 2 million phones
Operational savings
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Using refurbished network equipment saves up to 67% compared to buying new, while extending the life of the equipment.
Enhancing customer satisfaction
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Our RE program meets strong customer demand: 78% of our customers want easily repairable phones, according to our 2023 internal study conducted by Orange France. This trend shows that durability and repairability are key buying factors.
Eco-design
throughout the product lifecycle
Eco-design is another cornerstone of our circular economy approach. We create products with multiple lives in mind right from the concept stage. Our Livebox 7 in France is a perfect example, with a fully recycled and recyclable shell. Its design allows for easy repair, while energy use is minimized thanks to natural ventilation and optimized standby mode. This holistic approach relies on a responsible industrial chain and teams trained in eco-design.
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Eco-designing a product means considering its environmental impact from the very first stage of development. The goal is to reduce the product’s ecological footprint throughout its lifecycle
Eco-design
throughout the product lifecycle
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Eco-designing a product means considering its environmental impact from the very first stage of development. The goal is to reduce the product’s ecological footprint throughout its lifecycle
Eco-design is another cornerstone of our circular economy approach. We create products with multiple lives in mind right from the concept stage. Our Livebox 7 in France is a perfect example, with a fully recycled and recyclable shell. Its design allows for easy repair, while energy use is minimized thanks to natural ventilation and optimized standby mode. This holistic approach relies on a responsible industrial chain and teams trained in eco-design.
Collecting equipment is essential to our circular strategy. In Europe, mobile phone collection reached 29% in 2024 relative to sales. Since 2010, over 24 million used phones have been collected for refurbishment or recycling.
We make it easy for customers with simple solutions, like in-store drop-off with guaranteed data erasure and pre-paid shipping labels in France. In Africa, our collection workshops in Burkina Faso, Cameroon, and Côte d’Ivoire have recycled the equivalent of more than 2 million phones while creating inclusive jobs.
Launched in 2021, the Oscar program (Orange Sustainable & Circular Ambition for Recertification) applies circular economy principles to our network and IT equipment, promoting the use of refurbished hardware, reuse between subsidiaries, and resale. This approach meets both environmental and financial goals, transforming a traditionally linear sector. With over 20 operators engaged via the JAC, we are developing standardized methods and building a more sustainable model together.
Engaging
our entire industry
Circular economy is holistic, and success depends on engaging all stakeholders. We work with institutions, suppliers, other operators, and professional associations like GSMA and JAC. Our pioneering agreement with Nokia in 2021 marked a turning point, opening the way for a refurbished market for network equipment. These partnerships make circular economy a key lever in reaching our Net Zero Carbon goal by 2040.
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Our success is based on the mobilization of our ecosystem, customers, suppliers, partners, and institutions, and is transforming the telecommunications sector in a sustainable way.
Engaging
our entire industry
Right content
Bloc Exergue Item
Our success is based on the mobilization of our ecosystem, customers, suppliers, partners, and institutions, and is transforming the telecommunications sector in a sustainable way.
Circular economy is holistic, and success depends on engaging all stakeholders. We work with institutions, suppliers, other operators, and professional associations like GSMA and JAC. Our pioneering agreement with Nokia in 2021 marked a turning point, opening the way for a refurbished market for network equipment. These partnerships make circular economy a key lever in reaching our Net Zero Carbon goal by 2040.
Circular economy at Orange in numbers
Giving our equipment multiple lives reduces our environmental impact while creating economic and social value
Circular economy at Orange in numbers
Giving our equipment multiple lives reduces our environmental impact while creating economic and social value
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