WISE Certification and the Circular Economy – Repair, Reuse, and Responsibility

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In a world where electronic devices are both indispensable and rapidly replaced, the concept of circular economy applies with strong emphasis.  Across the globe, we are producing massive amounts of electronic waste (e-waste).  This e-waste is produced at rates that dwarf our capacity to responsibly manage it.  The UN Global E-Waste Monitor reported that in 2022 alone 62 million metric tons of e-waste were generated worldwide.  The projections by the World Economic Forum show that this number will rise to 82 million metric tons by 2030. Only about one-fifth of this massive e-waste is currently recycled through formal channels.  Needless to say, this is a massive environmental challenge.

Amid this catastrophic environmental challenge, CTIA’s WISE Certification (Wireless Industry Service Excellence) plays a meaningful role in advancing circular economy principles through promoting responsible repair, reuse, and extending device lifespans.

Repairing devices truly matters for the circular economy.  The traditional “take-make-dispose” model characteristic of consumer electronics has contributed heavily to e-waste and resource strain.  Devices often end up in landfills while containing valuable metals like gold, copper, and silver.  These are materials that are expensive to source and could be reused rather than discarded.

Repair and reuse are foundational to circularity because they extend product lifetimes, reducing demand for new devices and the raw materials needed to produce them.  Byv resorting to repairing and reusing devices, we decrease the environmental impact associated with manufacturing and disposal.  Proactive repair and reuse also mitigate hazardous waste risks by keeping electronics out of informal or unsafe recycling streams.

More formalized and trusted repair services help make this shift from disposable tech toward repair-first mentality and consumption.  And this is where WISE Certification comes in very handy.  WISE Certification was developed by the wireless industry through CTIA’s Reverse Logistics and Service Quality (RLSQ) Working Groups.  It’s an industry-recognized standard for retailers and technicians who repair wireless devices, designed to ensure consistent quality, reliability, and professionalism in repair practices.

At this point, more than 10,000 mobile repair technicians across North America have been certified through the WISE program since its launch.  And over 1,600 locations now offer WISE-certified repair services.  While the WISE Certification program’s immediate purpose is improving repair quality and consumer confidence, it also aligns with broader sustainability goals.  In fact, Wise Certification promotes the responsible handling of used devices.  Additionally, WISE Certification enables consistent grading and testing of pre-owned products.  WISE Certification promotes integration with related industry standards that emphasize reuse and recycling.  By its very natire, WISE Certification supports extended device life cycles.

Ultimately, WISE Certification as a Circular Economy Enabler.  At its heart, WISE promotes repair-over-replace mentality and behavior, which is a core pillar of the circular economy.  Certified technicians and facilities are trained and audited against best practices that prioritize restoration and reuse of devices rather than premature replacement.

This approach supports circularity by:

• Improving repair accessibility and quality, encouraging consumers to fix rather than discard.

• Helping refurbishers and repairers integrate into formal, trusted networks, reducing the amount of informal, unregulated disposal.

• Increasing confidence in the secondary device market, essential for reuse and resale.

  
  

WISE Certification ties together electronics, ESG, and circularity.  It’s well-established that electronic devices generate vast quantities of waste.  At the same time, they offer vast potential value if kept in use longer.  Repair and reuse save natural resources, avoid unnecessary manufacturing emissions, and can significantly reduce environmental impact.  According to Ernst & Young, globally, only about 17.4% of e-waste is recycled, underlining the need for better repair and reuse infrastructure.

From an ESG perspective, repair certification like WISE helps companies demonstrate environmental stewardship and responsible product lifecycle practices.  According to CTIA’s own sustainability insights, the program supports responsible recycling and trusted device reclamation, encouraging industry players to meet environmental and social goals.

The PR Newswire announcement about the launch of the WISE ASP (Authorized Service Provider) program quoted Justin Wetherill, President and Co-founder of uBreakiFix:  “Both uBreakiFix and our parent company, Asurion, are committed to the highest levels of quality ... The WISE ASP program will give consumers peace of mind that repairs will meet or exceed industry standards, and we are proud to have played a role in establishing that standard.”

Giving consumers peace of mind that repairs will reliably meet or exceed industry standards goes a long way in helping evolve the circular economy.  Increasing the rate of repair and reuse is a real solution to the e-waste and resource challenges we face. With electronics consumption rising, and the circular economy gaining traction globally, certification programs that elevate repair standards are part of the solution.

WISE Certification doesn’t just help technicians fix devices.  It helps shape a more sustainable, responsible electronics ecosystem where products live longer, resources are conserved, and waste is reduced.  Repairing what we already own isn’t just good business, it’s good stewardship of our planet.

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