Energy and metering service provider Techem's Re-Use Centre promotes a circular, resource-efficient approach to equipment management in the building sector.

Metering devices are often replaced due to statutory calibration requirements, resulting in functional components leaving the usage cycle prematurely. This increases demand for raw materials and energy in new production and generates additional waste. At the same time, return and reuse processes are often not systematically organised, meaning that significant potential for resource savings is untapped.

The Techem Re-Use Centre addresses this challenge through centralised collection, evaluation and routing of decommissioned devices into a three-stage process: refurbishment by manufacturers, reuse of functional devices or components, and recycling of non-reusable materials. 

A key feature is the integration of return logistics, quality assessment and supplier collaboration into standardised, scalable processes, including defined quality criteria, traceability of returned devices and clear allocation of responsibilities across the value chain. This creates the basis for scaling these processes across regions and device categories.

By extending product lifecycles and reintegrating materials into technical loops, the approach reduces material, energy and waste flows, as well as resource consumption and GHG emissions. Looking ahead, further device types and individual components will be integrated into the system to expand its scope and impact. 

The Techem Re-Use Centre has established a successful combination of component return, reuse and centralised process management.