At Genexis, sustainability is at the core of our product design. From the materials we use to the recyclability of our devices, we continuously strive to minimize environmental impact. Our FiberTwist series has long been recognized for its efficiency and ease of use, but how recyclable are they? To answer this question, we partnered with Dutch recycling expert Mirec to conduct a comprehensive material analysis of the FiberTwist P3411B, a 156-gram, four LAN-port ONT.
The “Blender Test”: a deep dive into recyclability
To gain detailed insight into the recyclability of this product, we subjected the FiberTwist P3411B to Mirec’s material analysis in their lab. This process follows three key steps:
- Oven treatment – The device is heated to break down certain materials.
- Grinding – The product is then ground into a fine powder to facilitate further analysis.
- Destruction acid treatment – The final step involves using acid to measure all remaining materials accurately.
The test revealed remarkable results: the FiberTwist P3411B is 84% recyclable, with the remaining 16% classified as potential energy recovery —meaning that no part of the FoberTwist ends up in landfills or thermal waste disposal.
Key factors driving high recyclability
Several design choices contribute to this high recyclability:
- No glue, no rubber, no screws: Unlike many electronic devices, the FiberTwist does not use adhesives, rubber components, or screws. This is a major advantage, as screws could get embedded in plastic, significantly reducing the recyclability rate.
- Limited flame retardants: While some flame retardants can negatively impact recyclability, we keep their use well below regulatory limits, further improving the product’s environmental footprint.
Disassembled vs. non-disassembled recycling
The recyclability of the FiberTwist varies depending on whether it is disassembled before processing:
- Non-disassembled recycling: 35% of the material is recyclable, while 65% is classified as energy recoverable.
- Disassembled recycling: 84% of the material is recyclable, and only 16% goes to energy recovery.
This significant difference highlights the importance of adopting circular design principles to allow ease of disassembly at end-of-life processing to maximize material recovery.
Valuable insights on metals
During the analysis, several materials of interest were identified:
- Valuable metals: Gold, silver, palladium, and copper are among the components a recycling company can extract and resell.
- Common metals: Tin and lead are used in smelting, while materials like iron and other oxides are categorized as inorganic slags that can still be repurposed.
- Challenging metals: only 0.66% nickel was found in this material analysis, which is below the 1% threshold imposed by metal refiners. Additionally, the copper smelter prefers to avoid aluminum, as it can degrade copper quality.
A step forward in circular product design
Our findings confirm that the FiberTwist is not only designed for ease of use but also optimized for circularity. The ability to recycle 84% of materials while ensuring the remaining portion is used for energy recovery aligns with our mission to create sustainable broadband solutions.
At Genexis, we continue to explore ways to improve product circularity, and by doing that also reduce GHG emissions in our value chain. While refurbishment is clearly the most sustainable path, we design with the understanding that when refurbishment isn’t feasible, maximizing the reuse and recyclability of components remains essential. By focusing on sustainable design principles and enhancing materials choices together with our suppliers, we are taking concrete steps toward an eco-friendly future in fiber connectivity.
Stay tuned for more updates as we push the boundaries of sustainability in broadband!
