From Waste to Worth: Dell`s Strategy for a Circular Economy

Case Code: BECG192 Case Length: 14 Pages Period: - Pub Date: 2025 Teaching Note: Available

Price: Rs.400 Organization: Dell Technologies, Inc. Industry: Technology & Communications Countries: United States Themes: Socially-responsible Business Practices, Sustainability,Supply Chain Management,Circular Economy

Abstract Case Intro 1 Case Intro 2 Excerpts

Abstract

The case study “From Waste to Worth: Dell’s Strategy for a Circular Economy” explores US-based multinational technology company, Dell Technologies, Inc. (Dell)’s pioneering approach to integrating sustainability into its business model. The case highlights how Dell contributed to the circular economy by leveraging innovative strategies to transform electronic waste (e-waste) into valuable resources. It embraced principles like modularity, reparability, and standardization. The case study examines Dell’s closed-loop recycling program, wherein discarded electronics were repurposed into new products and sustainable materials like ocean-bound plastics were used in its production methods and packaging. Dell operated the world’s largest take-back program, offering recycling services in 78 countries and territories. The case details Dell’s Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) Goals plan, which it sought to achieve by the year 2030.

Dell’s adoption of a circular economy framework was intended to reduce its environmental footprint and create new value propositions for customers and stakeholders. Nonetheless, the company faced a host of challenges in its sustainability journey. Can Dell continue to maintain affordability for its customers, while investing in costly sustainable materials, modular designs, and advanced recycling processes?

Issues

The case is structured to achieve the following teaching objectives:

• Analyze the circular economy principles and how they can be applied in a technology-driven industry to minimize waste and maximize resource efficiency.
• Understand the Lean and Green Supply Chain framework
• Investigate the technological and process innovations required to implement closed-loop systems and develop sustainable products.
• Identify the challenges associated with adopting circular economy initiatives, particularly in global supply chains.
• Discuss whether sustainability initiatives can be a viable path to long-term profitability.

Contents

Introduction
About Dell
Dell’s Sustainability Journey
Dell’s Circular Economy Strategy
Key Initiatives
Challenges
The Way Forward
Exhibits

Keywords

Sustainability; Circular Economy; Lean and Green Supply Chain Framework; Triple Bottom Line (TBL); Natural-Resource-Based View (NRBV); Circular Design; Modularity; Material Sourcing Strategies; ESG Goals; Innovation; E-Waste Management; Closed-Loop Recycling; Resource Efficiency; Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR); and Sustainable Innovation.

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