David Evans is Head of Asset Recovery & Services, TXO
With demand for copper surging in sustainable industries such as wind energy and electric vehicle charging, reclaiming and reselling copper from telecom infrastructure can provide both environmental and financial benefits.
The copper crunch
Copper has long been a barometer for economic health, but supply is failing to keep up with demand. The challenge is not a lack of copper itself, but rather the inefficiency of mining and production processes. Extracting copper from ore is resource-intensive, requiring at least 100 tons of ore to produce one ton of copper. New mines take decades to establish, with regulatory hurdles, infrastructure development, and environmental assessments slowing progress. Estimates suggest that by 2030, mining operations will only meet 80% of global copper demand
Urban mining – the telecoms solution
Despite the bleak outlook, telecoms networks offer a viable alternative. Copper has historically been a cornerstone of legacy telecom infrastructure, particularly in Europe and North America. Major operators such as AT&T, Orange, and BT are rapidly transitioning to fibre optics, particularly in last-mile connectivity and the decommissioning of Public Switched Telephone Networks (PSTN).
Reclaiming copper from decommissioned networks could help bridge the supply gap, with recycled copper having 15 times less environmental impact than newly mined material. Moreover, purchasing recycled copper remains more cost-effective than extracting new resources, creating financial incentives for telecom operators to participate in the circular economy.
A financial and environmental opportunity
Recycling copper isn’t just about sustainability – it represents a substantial financial opportunity. Telecom companies can use copper reclamation to help fund network upgrades, accelerating the shift to fibre.
For example, BT has already demonstrated the value of this approach. The company recently announced that it received £105 million ($133m) for the resale of its old copper cables, extracting 3,300 of a potential 200,000 tonnes of cables. Over the next decade, an estimated 800,000 tons of copper could be reclaimed from telecom networks worldwide, directly supporting the transition to fibre and reducing dependence on virgin copper mining.
Challenges in large-scale decommissioning
Extracting and reselling copper on this scale is no small feat. Unlike traditional telecom upgrades, circular economy approaches involve managing both the installation of new equipment and the decommissioning of existing infrastructure. Effective inventory tracking, careful planning, and a skilled workforce are essential to safely removing power, fibre, and data cables while maintaining service continuity.
David Evans, Head of Asset Recovery & Services at TXO, highlights the importance of meticulous planning:
“Decommissioning old networks is a complex task that requires a phased, multi-year approach. Comprehensive documentation and bulletproof inventories are critical to ensuring smooth operations and maximising financial and environmental returns.”
Unlocking hidden value in telecom networks
Beyond copper, telecom networks contain a wealth of valuable materials. Gold, silver, titanium, and cobalt are commonly found in older telecom hardware, all of which can be reclaimed and reintroduced into the supply chain. This further enhances the environmental and financial benefits of embracing circular economy principles.
For telecom operators and service providers, urban mining is just one example of how legacy infrastructure can generate new value. Beyond reselling and recycling, there is enormous untapped potential in refurbishing and reusing second-hand equipment. These approaches offer lower costs, faster deployment times, and more resilient supply chains – all while contributing to global sustainability goals.
The time to act is now
With copper shortages projected to create supply chain disruptions in the coming years, telecom operators have a prime opportunity to lead the way in sustainable infrastructure management. By reclaiming and reselling copper and other valuable materials, operators can drive financial returns, reduce environmental impact, and support the global transition to renewable energy.
For those in the telecom sector, the circular economy isn’t just a trend – it’s a strategic imperative. The sooner operators take action, the greater the benefits for their networks, their bottom line, and the planet.
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