Thousands of brand-new keyboards, all fully functional, were once destined for disposal simply because their language and layout did not match customer requirements. Where most companies might have written off the inventory, Reconext found a way to transform the challenge into a circular economy success story.
A circular solution in action
Working for one of its OEM partners, Reconext’s engineering and refurbishment teams in Europe and Mexicali collaborated to recover the hidden value. Instead of accepting waste, they developed a process that removed the existing key markings, repainted the surfaces, and used precision laser engraving to apply new characters in the desired language.
Engineering precision and sustainability
This approach required both technical skill and innovative thinking. The teams created a repeatable process that not only met the OEM’s quality standards but also aligned with growing industry goals for sustainability and resource efficiency. By redesigning, repainting, and relabeling instead of remanufacturing, Reconext significantly reduced material waste and extended the lifespan of products already produced.
Recovering value and avoiding waste
The project delivered two key results: value was recovered, and e-waste was avoided. The refurbished keyboards were reintroduced into the market where there was real customer demand, providing an outcome that benefitted both the manufacturer and the environment.
Reconext’s work underscores a broader message for the electronics industry: circular thinking can unlock economic and environmental benefits simultaneously. For companies holding inventory that no longer fits their product mix, there may still be a path to recovery. As Reconext demonstrates, innovation in refurbishment can bring both profit and purpose back to overlooked assets.
Market
Trade-in
Repair
Refurbishing
