Rethinking Sustainability in the IT Sector
Many of us own approximately 10,000 things. Our habit of consuming so much more than we need has become a routine. The more we buy, the more raw materials are mined, and the more CO2 is emitted during production.
Today’s “take-make-waste“ system generates shocking amounts of waste, harming the climate and the living conditions of our planet and all our lives. This waste is mainly created by throwing away products, even though individual elements are still flawless and functional. From the point of view of the circular economy, this is a lost value.
At Prime Computer, we say that the future only happens if there is one. To guarantee it, we must limit our consumption. Accordingly, we can no longer stand aside and watch the current throwaway culture.
In this guest blog post, I take a closer look at the problems of the linear economy in the IT sector and how we in the IT hardware industry can move towards a circular production and use of devices.
Moving Away from Exploitation Is Inevitable
Our current economic system is based on the linear principle of extracting natural resources, consuming them, and generating vast waste. Yet resource consumption has tripled since 1970 and could even double again by 2050 if we continue as usual. Transitioning to a circular economy requires us to unite and commit to doing things differently. We need a change now!
According to the United Nation’s Global E-Waste monitor, e-waste is the world’s fastest-growing domestic waste stream. Its disposal contributes to climate change due to the chemicals released when it gets burned. Furthermore, 10 % of all electricity consumption and 4 % of all carbon emissions worldwide stem from the ICT industry.
E-waste is hazardous because the components used to make devices contain metals and chemicals known to harm human health. Children in Third World countries often work, live, and play in or near e-waste recycling centres and are therefore especially vulnerable.
Our electronics products should be expensive as they rely on a lot of workforces for material extraction and manufacturing. However, this labour force is outsourced to countries where local governments are recognised as ignoring social responsibilities. Indeed, their price and value remain low because of complex supply chains making it difficult to manage human rights risks and a high concentration of cheap labour.
Rare earth metals are critical to our high-tech society as an essential component of mobile phones, computers, and many other everyday devices. But increasing demand and limited global supply mean we must urgently find a way to recover these metals efficiently from discarded products.
Think Differently
To combat the e-waste problem, companies when evaluating computer hardware should consider the vendor’s design principles and commitment to sustainability at every stage of the product’s lifecycle, from initial concept, to use and recycling.
A fully sustainable IT hardware manufacturer not only offers environmentally friendly products but also aligns all of its business activities with sustainable guidelines that affect every aspect of the company. Whether it’s employees, events, company cars or recycling, a manufacturer that goes beyond its products can also truly drive social change.
Vendors that are fully committed to providing sustainable, and circular, products, will have the following characteristics:
Sustainability is fundamentally anchored in the company ethos
The company is committed to compliance with ecological and social guidelines
The company is climate neutral in Scope 1, 2 and 3
It offers climate-neutral products
Product tests by independent research institutes
Transparent sustainability communication, for example, in the form of a sustainability report
Second Life Cycle Program and accredited reuse of PC components
The Benefits of Circularity
The use of modular components integrated into circular designed products, extends the life cycle of the devices, resulting in less e-waste and, therefore, less CO2 emissions.
Circular designed products are also backward compatible. This means they are interchangeable and can be upgraded to future generations, without changing the rest of the hardware.
The above, coupled with reduced energy consumption, improved reliability, and carbon neutral products, can provide significant financial benefits when purchasing circular designed products.
This way, we will all contribute to a more resilient economy and a healthier planet.
About The Author
David Dorling
Chief Sales Officer at Prime Computer
Circular Computing Ambassador, Techies Go Green
David is an experienced commercial business leader, digital business strategy consultant and board adviser, with a background in technology, software and services at start-up, SME and corporate businesses. David has managed business development, sales, marketing and communications, and product management organisations across a range of industry sectors. Chief sales Officer at Prime Computer, a Swiss manufacturer of Sustainable IT.
Joining Techies Go Green.
If you want to learn more about sustainability and what your company can do to become more sustainable, consider joining Techies Go Green. Techies Go Green is a movement dedicated to decarbonising IT and tech-oriented companies through collaborating and sharing knowledge. Membership is open to both companies and individuals within the UK and Ireland. We would love to have you join and to help you in your journey towards sustainability and decarbonisation.