Aboitiz Equity Ventures turns e-waste into environmental and social impact

What happens when a company treats its retired technology not as trash, but as an opportunity? For Aboitiz Equity Ventures (AEV), it’s a chance to make an impact that extends far beyond the office. Through a partnership with circular economy company Humble Sustainability, AEV is repurposing its decommissioned laptops, printers, servers, and VOIP phones, giving them a second life while creating measurable benefits for communities and the environment.

To date, over 1,000 IT assets have been turned over to Humble for refurbishment, resale, donation, or proper recycling. Devices that might otherwise end up in landfills are instead restored and reintroduced into productive use, and half of the proceeds go directly to the Aboitiz Foundation’s programs, supporting projects with social and environmental impact.

The initiative has already expanded across the Aboitiz Group, with Aboitiz Construction joining in to repurpose its own retired gadgets. Together, the collaboration demonstrates a Group-wide commitment to circularity, showing how responsible corporate practices can create tangible change.

“By extending the life of our technology assets, we reduce our environmental footprint while generating resources that directly benefit our partner communities,” said Ginggay Hontiveros-Malvar, Chief Reputation and Sustainability Officer of AEV and President of Aboitiz Foundation.

The program also aligns with national e-waste management goals and contributes to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 12 on responsible consumption and production. For Humble Sustainability, the partnership is a key step in its mission to recirculate one billion items, transforming what some see as waste into environmental, social, and economic value.

Beyond its environmental and community impact, the initiative fits into AEV’s broader vision of innovation and sustainability. As the Philippines’ first “Techglomerate,” the company is embedding climate resilience and responsible business practices across its operations, from power and banking to food, infrastructure, land, and data science. Recognized among the 2025 Asia-Pacific Best Companies, 2024 World’s Best Companies by Time Magazine, and Southeast Asia’s top performers in the Fortune Southeast Asia 500, AEV is proving that sustainability and corporate success can go hand in hand.

With programs like this, AEV is not just managing e-waste. It’s turning shared environmental goals into collective action, proving that even retired technology can create new opportunities for people and the planet.