BNP Paribas 3 Step IT: Powering the transition to circular technology lifecycle management 

As organisations accelerate their digital transformation efforts, the volume of IT equipment in circulation continues to grow, and so does the challenge of managing it efficiently and responsibly. 

At BNP Paribas Leasing Solutions, our purpose “committed to unlocking the circular economy to sustain the world we share” comes to life through concrete actions. One of the most significant is our partnership with BNP Paribas 3 Step IT, a joint venture combining the financial expertise of BNP Paribas Leasing Solutions with the circular lifecycle management capabilities of 3stepIT, a recognised leader in the sector. 

Together, we are helping organisations move from traditional, linear consumption models toward a smarter, more sustainable way of financing, using, and renewing technology. 

A Joint Venture designed for circularity and efficiency 

BNP Paribas 3 Step IT was created in 2019 with a clear vision: enable businesses to adopt a more sustainable, secure and financially efficient technology model by embedding circularity throughout the entire lifecycle of IT equipment. 

The joint venture empowers organisations to procure devices cost‑effectively, manage them with full transparency, and recover value at end‑of‑use through certified refurbishment and secure processing. This approach supports customers in achieving their operational, financial, and sustainability goals, without compromising one for the other. 

A major milestone: our refurbishment and remarketing centre in France

The opening of the BNP Paribas 3 Step IT refurbishment centre in Buchelay, France, marks a significant step forward in strengthening Europe’s circular technology infrastructure. Designed to process an initial 200,000 devices per year, with capacity scaling to 400,000 units annually, the centre enables secure, efficient, and compliant handling of IT assets at the end of their first lifecycle.

Here, devices such as laptops, desktops, smartphones, tablets and servers enter a fully controlled process that includes:

• complete data sanitization using industry‑leading standards
• detailed inspection and technical grading
• refurbishment and preparation for reuse
• responsible recycling via certified partners when refurbishment is not possible

This capability reinforces BNP Paribas’ commitment to advancing the circular economy across Europe and supports organisations seeking to reduce electronic waste, extend asset life, and unlock residual value. The centre also upholds strong social commitments by integrating inclusive recruitment practices that support people with disabilities, those in reintegration pathways, and seniors.

A platform for end-to-end lifecycle management : from financing to a second life

Circular lifecycle management is not simply a sustainability initiative: it is a smarter operational model.

When IT assets are financed and managed within a structured lifecycle plafform, organisations benefit from:

• greater visibility into where devices are, how they are used, and when they need to be refreshed
• proactive cost optimisation, including competitive residual value‑based financing
• secure and compliant data governance, with certified erasure at end‑of‑use
• reuse pathways that give devices a meaningful second life and reduce premature disposal

This approach helps maintain the value embedded in technology while reducing emissions associated with manufacturing new equipment, a crucial component of modern ESG strategies. It also simplifies compliance with evolving European circularity and e‑waste regulations, an area of growing importance for all organisations.