Although carbon certificates have existed in other sectors for some time, the new platform tailored for electronics recycling is the first of its kind. | Doidam 10/Shutterstock
European advisory firm Bloom ESG has launched the first carbon inset registry specific to the ITAD and e-scrap sectors, in partnership with Wisconsin-based Dynamic Lifecycle Innovations.
Carbon insets represent emission reductions within value chains via verified activity in device reuse, lifecycle extension and materials recovery, creating a “measurable, market-driven climate impact,” according to a press release.
To start the registry, Bloom issued more than 300,000 inset certificates to Dynamic, making it the first ITAD firm to receive and manage insets tied to its operations. The company recently opened a new location in Tennessee and in 2023 launched a carbon calculator.
“This puts real weight behind what we’ve known all along — that reuse and responsible electronics lifecycle management aren’t just good for business, they’re measurable climate solutions,” said Curt Greeno, president at Dynamic. “With Bloom, we can now prove our impact and pass that value on to our clients and partners.”
Dynamic now can trade these insets directly with clients, enterprise buyers or others seeking to reduce their own emissions. Each inset is associated with a verified action and can be tracked from the time it’s issued through its retirement.
In April, Bloom released an environmental benefits calculator, using methodology developed with industry partners including Dynamic. The tool, endorsed by e-scrap certification program e-Stewards, can be used to quantify avoided carbon emissions and other benefits of e-scrap management.
“Bloom and Dynamic are unlocking a new class of climate assets — ensuring the circular economy has a seat at the carbon markets table,” said Mark Kenber, executive director of the Voluntary Carbon Markets Integrity Initiative.
Although carbon insets and offsets have existed in other sectors for some time, this is a first for the ITAD industry.
“This partnership is about changing the economics of circularity for everyone involved,” said Sebastian Foot, founding partner of Bloom ESG. “By working together, we’ve built the infrastructure to finally reward climate-positive activity that happens within the value chain — with rigor, transparency, and real market value.”
In a July 2024 white paper, Bloom predicted that carbon inset certificates would “create new revenue and ‘business development currency’ for processors,” and that “circular economy-focused electronics manufacturers and Tier 1 tech firms will come to rely on carbon insets to decarbonize and meet ESG commitments.”