Life cycle environmental impact of customer premises equipment: insights from a Wi-Fi router case study

The environmental impact of information and communication technology (ICT) systems is increasing due to higher data transmission speeds, greater device complexity, and rising energy demand. However, life cycle assessment (LCA) studies often underestimate the contribution of customer premises equipment (CPE) due to outdated or incomplete datasets. This study aims to quantify the life cycle environmental impacts of a next-generation Wi-Fi router and examine the potential of recycling and material substitution strategies to reduce its environmental footprint.

We conducted a cradle-to-grave LCA of a Wi-Fi router (Model A), developed in collaboration with a major telecommunications provider. The assessment was performed using SimaPro software and employed both the IPCC and ReCiPe methods to evaluate climate change, toxicity, and resource-related impacts. Scenario analyses were conducted to assess the potential benefits of recycling and alternative material use. A comparative analysis was also performed between the new model and legacy CPE devices.

The results show that operational energy consumption is the dominant contributor to climate change impacts throughout the product’s life cycle. Printed circuit boards (PCBs) are identified as significant contributors to ecotoxicity, human toxicity, and mineral resource scarcity. Recycling and material substitution scenarios yielded only marginal environmental benefits. Comparison with legacy CPE models revealed an increasing trend in operational energy use, with relatively stable impacts associated with manufacturing.

This study highlights the critical role of operational energy use and component-level material impacts in the life cycle of ICT equipment. The findings underscore the need for integrative strategies in ICT product design and policy—focusing on material sourcing, energy efficiency, and end-of-life management—to mitigate the growing environmental footprint of digital infrastructure.