UK broadband provider Openreach has committed to removing 100 tonnes of plastic from its supply chain.

In an announcement this week, Openreach said it plans to remove the plastic by using new ‘modems’ to connect customers to its full fiber network.

As part of this, BT subsidiary Openreach is launching a range of new Optical Network Terminals (ONTs), the wall-mounted box of electronics that converts optical signals into electrical ones used by household devices, with re-engineered casings made from 85 percent recycled plastic.

Openreach said it will launch the latest ONT models this summer, and is working with Nokia, Adtran, Zyxel, and Sercomm to build the new kit – with casings made from recycled plastic pellets.

According to Openreach, its engineers installed around two million ONTs last year, and it expects to install even more this year.

At present, the company’s fiber buildout has passed more than 17 million locations, as Openreach edges closer to its target to hit 25 million premises by the end of December 2026.

The company’s pledge to remove 100 tonnes of plastic is one of a number of initiatives under Openreach’s “Let’s Reach Zero” strategy, which is a commitment to reach net-zero emissions in its operations by 2031.

“Our mission – to build the UK’s best full fiber future – will deliver a more sustainable, reliable network and serve as the digital platform for a greener economy,” said Abby Chicken, head of sustainability for Openreach.

“We recognize the environmental impact of building that future, and that’s why we’re committed to using fewer materials and reducing waste. Our new recycled fiber kit is a big step forward, removing 100 tonnes of new plastic from our supply chain every year.”

Elaborating a bit further on the plastic pellets, Openreach noted that these have been sourced from a variety of sources based on the plastic family of polycarbonate (PC), including recycled casings for laptops, tablets or phones, personal safety equipment like face shields and glasses, medical devices, and from headlights, taillights and interior trims in the automotive industry.

On top of this, the packaging that the ONTs arrive in has been redesigned, notes Openreach. The company said it has worked with Nokia to reduce the amount of cardboard it uses by 30 percent.