SOCIOTECHNICAL DYNAMICS OF ELECTRONIC EQUIPMENT REUSE AND THEIR IMPACTS ON DIGITAL INCLUSION AND SUSTAINABILITY A CASE STUDY

Abstract

This study examines the role of technological reuse in promoting digital inclusion, circular economy, and sociotechnical innovation in community-based contexts, based on a case study of the MetaCriar Sorocaba project. The research adopts a qualitative, descriptive-exploratory approach, grounded in document analysis, direct observation, and semi-structured interviews, with data triangulation and content analysis procedures. The findings indicate that structured practices of screening, refurbishing, and dismantling enable a significant portion of electronic equipment to be reinserted into new usage cycles, contributing to value retention and waste reduction. At the operational level, relevant technical efficiency is observed, associated with the use of component banks and organized maintenance routines. At the social level, results point to expanded access to digital technologies and the development of technical skills among participants, characterizing digital inclusion processes based on experiential learning. From an environmental perspective, the extension of equipment lifespan contributes to mitigating electronic waste generation. However, the analysis also reveals structural limitations, including dependence on donations, the need for proper disposal of non-recoverable materials, and challenges related to continuity. It is concluded that technological reuse, when integrated with community-based and educational practices, represents a relevant strategy to combine sustainability, inclusion, and social innovation, although its consolidation depends on improved systematization, governance, and institutional integration.