Orange and La Poste partner to give a second life to network equipment used during the Paris 2024 Olympic and Paralympic Games 

Orange and La Poste partner to give a second life to network equipment used during the Paris 2024 Olympic and Paralympic Games 

Orange and La Poste have unveiled a pioneering initiative to extend the lifespan of network equipment used during the Paris 2024 Olympic and Paralympic Games. Starting in 2025, approximately 90% of the Wi-Fi terminals and 78% of the switches from the Olympic venues will be repurposed and installed at La Poste’s sites across France.

Jérôme Goulard, Chief Sustainability Officer at Orange Business

Orange and La Poste have announced the first innovative initiative to extend the lifespan of network equipment used during the Paris 2024 Olympic and Paralympic Games.

This collaboration aligns with the Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) strategies of both companies, aimed at minimising the environmental impact of digital technology. It is also a key aspect of the Paris 2024 legacy, which focuses on repurposing equipment for other sites and uses after the Olympic Games. 

A large-scale, responsible approach  

Several thousand Wi-Fi terminals and other advanced telecom equipment used at the Olympic and Paralympic sites will be reused by La Poste at key locations in Paris and other local communities.

For instance, the Maison de l’Innovation in Nantes, set to house over 800 IT professionals from La Poste, will benefit from this next-generation equipment. These devices have been used for only a short period of time and have been thoroughly verified to ensure performance, availability and durability. 

These modern devices will improve the network’s operational efficiency for La Poste employees, providing better connectivity and a high level of service both indoors and outdoors. The integration of this equipment will also play a crucial role in supporting digitalisation and new uses, facilitating smoother operations of IT tools. 

Shared ambitious commitments 

Orange and La Poste share a common vision and are actively committed to adopting more responsible and sustainable practices. The initiative to extend the lifespan of telecom equipment has already been successfully implemented on Orange infrastructure for La Poste.

This latest initiative demonstrates the commitment of both companies to accelerate their CSR objectives and raise awareness within the ecosystem to reduce carbon footprints and make informed choices. 

Orange and La Poste share the same net-zero carbon goal by 2040. Both companies have established more responsible practices to purchase circuits, particularly in IT environments. Orange offers eco-designed products and second-hand network equipment to its consumer and business customers.

Meanwhile, La Poste, as a mission-driven company, is committed to ethical, inclusive and economical digital practices. It has also adopted a responsible digital policy aimed at optimising the use of natural and non-renewable resources. This policy focuses on extending the lifespan of its IT equipment through repair and reuse. 

“In the face of scarce resources and the increasing digitalisation of services, La Poste Group is committed to reducing the environmental footprint of its tools and applications. The reuse of network equipment deployed by Orange for the Olympic Games is an opportunity that perfectly aligns with our desire to promote responsible digital practices,” said Philippe Bajou, Secretary General of the La Poste Group and President of La Poste Group Immobilier. 

“The Olympic Games Paris 2024 have been a unique opportunity to showcase our technical expertise and a true demonstration of the solutions offered to our business clients. I am proud that this top-quality equipment finds a second life with La Poste. This partnership illustrates our commitment to a sustainable and connected future. At Orange Business, we are dedicated to helping our clients and partners in their environmental transition and reducing their carbon footprint,” said Aliette Mousnier-Lompré, CEO of Orange Business. 

We asked Jérôme Goulard, Chief Sustainability Officer at Orange Business, further questions to find out more.

How did the collaboration between Orange and La Poste for reusing Olympic network equipment come about?

As the sole technology supplier for the Paris 2024 Olympic and Paralympic Games, Orange was committed to meeting strict sustainability and carbon footprint targets, including a maximum carbon footprint of 10 kilotons. At the same time, we were working with La Poste, who required new equipment installations. It was from here that we identified an opportunity to repurpose the high-quality network equipment from the Olympic and Paralympic Games to meet La Poste’s needs, ensuring the equipment didn’t go to waste and instead reuse it in a place where it was needed.

What specific steps will Orange Business take to ensure the refurbished equipment meets performance and durability standards for La Poste locations?

Since the closure of the Games in September, we worked hard to collect equipment from over 130 sites, thoroughly inspect it and refurbish it as needed. Each piece is verified to ensure full functionality before redeployment to La Poste locations. Additionally, we implemented robust warranty coverage and maintenance management to guarantee the refurbished equipment meets the quality and durability standards necessary to support La Poste effectively.

Can you elaborate on how this initiative aligns with Orange Business’s broader sustainability and CSR goals, particularly regarding net-zero carbon targets?

At Orange, we are committed to achieving net-zero carbon emissions by 2040, with an intermediate goal of reducing Scope 1, 2 and 3 emissions by 45% by 2030. This ambitious 2040 target is one we proudly share with La Poste, and our partnership demonstrates the tangible steps we are taking to reach these goals. This collaboration not only aligns with our broader Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) objectives but also highlights our commitment to fostering innovation in sustainability.

Together, we aim to accelerate the journey to net-zero emissions while raising awareness across the ecosystem (our partners and suppliers, as well as our customers) about the importance of informed, sustainable practices.

This initiative complements our broader sustainability efforts, which include procuring renewable energy, developing eco-designed products, and offering second-hand network equipment to both consumer and business customers. Our dedication extends to supporting clients and partners in transitioning to more sustainable practices, reducing carbon footprints, and making environmentally responsible decisions. Additionally, we have introduced the ‘Partners for Net-Zero Carbon’ programme to engage our suppliers in achieving key sustainability goals. This initiative includes progress plans to manage our carbon footprint and expand the use of refurbished equipment.

What challenges do you foresee in repurposing and redeploying this equipment at La Poste sites, and how are you addressing them?

This is a large-scale operational project that demands careful management. From the start, we focused on ensuring the refurbished equipment integrates seamlessly with La Poste’s existing infrastructure by tailoring the refurbishment process to their specific requirements. This project also involves significant logistical coordination to collect, refurbish and deploy the equipment across La Poste’s sites. Additionally, rigorous inspection and testing is being conducted to guarantee the equipment’s functionality and durability before deployment, ensuring it meets the highest standards.

Beyond La Poste, are there plans to replicate this model with other companies or public sector organisations to further extend the lifecycle of network equipment?

Our partnership with La Poste is one of the first large-scale initiatives of its kind, serving as a proof of concept that demonstrates how refurbished equipment can be effectively repurposed to enhance operational efficiency while minimising environmental impact.

In addition to dedicated projects with some of our customers, we have been implementing a ‘reverse supply chain’ process within our managed services business line for several years. In 2024, we collected 75% of customer equipment at the end of its life cycle, during contract closures, or in replacement phases. This equipment is refurbished and either reused in other projects or repurposed as spare parts. The primary challenge in the circular economy lies in aligning business needs with the availability of refurbished equipment.

Sustainability is becoming a core priority for our customers, with approximately 20% of procurement scoring now tied to sustainability and CSR goals. We’re already working on broader initiatives on sustainability and the circular economy with our customers. For example, we partnered with the tool and home improvement company Leroy Merlin to implement a fleet of refurbished mobile phones for employees, reducing the carbon footprint associated with managing their mobile fleet.

How will this initiative contribute to the digitalisation and operational efficiency of La Poste’s sites, and are there measurable targets for improvement?

Several thousand Wi-Fi terminals and other advanced telecom equipment used at the Olympic and Paralympic sites will be reused by La Poste at key locations in Paris and other local communities. This is approximately 90% of the Wi-Fi terminals and 78% of the switches from the Olympic sites. As a result, La Poste employees will benefit from enhanced connectivity, with the use of refurbished cutting-edge equipment. For instance, the Maison de l’Innovation in Nantes, set to house over 800 IT professionals from La Poste, will benefit from this next-generation equipment.

These modern devices will improve the network’s operational efficiency for La Poste employees, providing better connectivity and a high level of service both indoors and outdoors. The integration of this equipment will also play a crucial role in supporting digitalisation and new uses, facilitating smoother operations of IT tools and supporting La Poste’s broader digitalisation efforts.

This project achieves a 90% reduction in carbon footprint compared to rolling out similar new equipment. This reduction is accounted for in the Olympic Games’ CO2 footprint for our services, which is globally estimated at 8.5 ktCO2.