ANNOUNCEMENTS
The manufacturing sector faces increasing pressure to align with sustainability standards due to heightened environmental concerns and evolving global regulations. This study explores how Circular Economy (CE) strategies contribute to Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) compliance, with a specific focus on three leading ICT manufacturing companies: HP Inc., Apple Inc., and Dell Technologies Inc.
Through a qualitative case study approach, the research analyzes publicly available ESG and sustainability reports from these companies. Seventeen specific CE-ESG indicators were used to evaluate performance, including energy efficiency, recycled material use, product reuse, lifecycle assessments, take-back programs, and supplier engagement. The findings reveal that HP demonstrates the most comprehensive and integrated CE practices, supported by strong ESG performance metrics: a 77% S&P Global ESG score and the lowest ESG risk rating (10.6) according to Sustainalytics. Apple and Dell, while actively pursuing circularity, display more limited disclosures and lower ESG scores (43% and 46%, respectively).
The study concludes that companies with greater transparency, stronger CE frameworks, and long-term sustainability goals achieve better ESG outcomes. These results offer valuable insights for businesses, investors, and policymakers, highlighting the practical benefits of circularity not only for environmental impact but also for corporate performance and reputation.
