Ever wondered what happens to computer hardware “in the afterlife”? Liverpool John Moores University (LJMU) has found a way to ensure their IT equipment doesn’t end up in landfill. Partnering with HPE Financial Services (HPEFS) and DTP Group, LJMU has joined the circular economy through the use of HPE’s IT asset disposition services to securely takeback, refurbish and remarket their legacy IT equipment and then recycle valuable materials, and redirect financial returns toward their Student Hardship Fund.
INDUSTRY: Public sector
VERTICAL: Higher Education
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Big-picture ambition: Close the loop on e-waste and amplify impact
LJMU set out to tackle the growing challenge of electronic waste head-on by retiring ageing servers and network gear in a way that was secure, sustainable and socially beneficial. They wanted to stop equipment from ending up in landfill, maximize the value of reusable assets, and reinvest proceeds into technology upgrades and student welfare.
This wasn’t just about compliance, it was a strategic move to align procurement, sustainability and community impact which forms part of LJMU’s broader commitment to embed sustainability into every facet of university life; a drive that earned them first-class status in the People & Planet League and EcoCampus Platinum & ISO 50001 certifications.
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A pressing reality: city campus footprint means no room to spare
As an urban campus with very limited room for racks or long-term storage, LJMU couldn’t afford to warehouse decommissioned servers and network gear. The university needed a fast, reliable service that would securely erase sensitive data, dismantle and refurbish equipment responsibly, and provide transparent reporting on carbon and materials recovery to support their ESG targets.
Working with DTP Group and HPEFS delivered exactly that: rapid collection and certified data sanitization, robust environmental reporting, and resale of reusable assets, turning a disposal cost into revenue and avoiding storage bottlenecks during the technology refresh.
Secure, sustainable, fast, and value-generating
The program delivered immediate operational relief by quickly freeing up critical campus footprint. Financial returns from resale and buyback were reinvested into the Student Hardship Fund, turning end-of-life IT into social good.
Granular reporting on CO₂ savings and materials recovery outlined in the HPE Circular Economy Report reinforced LJMU’s sustainability credentials, and a standardized agreement with HPEFS and DTP Group set the stage for seamless, repeatable disposals that respect both the environment and campus constraints.
The university’s drive to embed sustainability across their operations no doubt supported their recent leap, 28 places to secure a First-Class ranking in the 2025/26 People & Planet League for sustainability.
