GSMA aids operators in closing the loop

The GSMA Industry Services has launched its new Circularity Services to help mobile operators and ecosystem partners extend the life of devices while reducing e-scrap. The offering launches with two commercial partners, Closing the Loop and RGX, to provide a practical and measurable way for organisations to incorporate circularity into their device propositions.

Closing the Loop’s ‘One for One’ service links one new mobile device sold by an operator to the collection and responsible recycling of one end-of-life device. This service has been successfully used by Vodafone, Samsung, and T-Mobile for devices sold in Europe, while Google is a global user.

Circularity Services

The GSMA represents over 750 mobile operators around the world and reports that the global mobile services sector was worth EUR 6.5 trillion in 2025, with 70% of the world’s population having a phone subscription. This will likely grow to reach EUR 9.7 trillion by 2030.

Closing the Loop is an award-winning social enterprise, supported by the United Nations Environment Programme. Its One for One mission has created a positive impact in countries where formal waste collection and recycling infrastructure is often limited, such as Ghana and Nigeria.

‘The GSMA is globally respected as a unifier of the mobile ecosystem, and we’re excited to work together to expand the value that our ‘One for One’ service can deliver across the industry,’ comments Joost de Kluijver, CEO of Closing the Loop.

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Partnership with RGX

Meanwhile, RGX provides a neutral, online marketplace for e-waste management and enterprise asset disposition that connects organisations with service providers through a single automated platform. The service is designed to help businesses optimise returns from redundant devices and equipment through competitive bidding and effective resource management.

Initially available in the United States, the offering is expected to expand internationally over time. ‘Innovation is only as good as its ability to scale,’ says RGX co-founder Sean Miles. ‘Through our partnership with GSMA Industry Services, we have an opportunity to help a broader part of the mobile ecosystem put circularity into place.’

They are taking a step towards addressing the issue of e-waste management. The partnership between GSMA Industry Services, Closing the Loop, and RGX promotes sustainability in the mobile ecosystem. It is a necessary move as the mobile industry continues to grow. The need for circularity and responsible e-waste management will become increasingly important. GSMA Industry Services and its partners are working to provide a solution. The mobile services sector is expected to reach EUR 9.7 trillion by 2030. The GSMA represents over 750 mobile operators around the world. They report that 70% of the world’s population has a phone subscription.

The United Nations Environment Programme supports Closing the Loop. The social enterprise has created a positive impact in countries where formal waste collection and recycling infrastructure is often limited. Joost de Kluijver, CEO of Closing the Loop, is excited to work with the GSMA. They are working together to expand the value of the ‘One for One’ service. The service has been successfully used by Vodafone, Samsung, and T-Mobile. Google is also a global user of the service.

RGX provides a neutral, online marketplace for e-waste management. The service connects organisations with service providers through a single automated platform. Sean Miles, co-founder of RGX, says innovation is only as good as its ability to scale. The partnership with GSMA Industry Services provides an opportunity to help a broader part of the mobile ecosystem. They are working to put circularity into place. The mobile ecosystem will benefit from the partnership. It will help to reduce e-scrap and promote sustainability.