Name of Primary Faculty Advisor
Dr. Simon Croom
Publication Date
Spring 5-17-2025
Student Classification
Undergraduate
Disciplines
Environmental Studies | Operations and Supply Chain Management
Description / Abstract
The exponential growth of electronic waste—exceeding 50 million metric tons annually—poses a formidable challenge at the intersection of environmental sustainability, global equity, and corporate responsibility. This study critically examines Dell Technologies’ approach to circular economy implementation, with a focus on product modularity, ethical supply chain management, and reverse logistics infrastructure. Anchored in a comparative framework alongside Apple, HP, and Lenovo, the analysis evaluates the scalability, transparency, and material impact of Dell’s initiatives, including the Concept Luna prototype and the Dell Reconnect program. Findings underscore the structural shortcomings of voluntary corporate action in the absence of robust global regulation, consistent product traceability, and enforceable extended producer responsibility. The paper advances a set of recommendations for sector-wide reform: the institutionalization of modular design, investment in repair and recycling capacity in the Global South, and the establishment of unified international standards. Without systemic transformation, the digital economy risks deepening global disparities while accelerating ecological degradation.
