Hardware Reuse and Recycling in Sustainable Computing: Extending Device Lifetimes Through Modular Design

Sustainable computing has become increasingly important as electronic waste (e-waste) grows exponentially, posing severe environmental and health challenges worldwide. Hardware reuse and recycling represent key strategies in mitigating the adverse impacts of e-waste by extending the lifecycle of computing devices. Modular design—a practice of engineering devices with interchangeable, easily replaceable components—plays a pivotal role in enabling effective hardware reuse and recycling. By facilitating upgrades, repairs, and customization, modular design reduces the need for full device replacement, conserving resources, minimizing waste, and lowering carbon emissions associated with manufacturing and disposal processes. This paper explores the principles and benefits of modular design as a means to advance sustainable computing practices through hardware reuse and recycling. We review current modular hardware initiatives, examine technical challenges, and discuss economic and environmental implications. The paper concludes with recommendations for future research and industrial adoption to foster circular economy models within the technology sector, ultimately promoting environmental sustainability and resource efficiency.