Here, our partner Dell talks about the ways in which they are acting on this:
- Look at why working with “green technology” is important
- Look into the areas where sustainability can be improved within production and post production
- What Dell are doing to ensure their technology is as sustainable as it can be
While every organisation must decide for itself how to become more sustainable, there’s no question that IT is a relatively important and easy place to start. The technologies an organisation deploys are not just key to its daily operations; everything from how they’re made to how they’re managed and replaced has an environmental impact.
A 2020 survey of 4,000 workers, for example, found that 46% felt their employers should provide them with “green technology” to do their jobs. Among the key features these workers expected in their devices are durability (46%), energy efficiency (45%), and environmentally friendly packaging and manufacturing processes (34%). 12 This suggests deployment of sustainable technologies could factor into an organisation’s ability to attract and retain talent. If the skilled and experienced workers you need would prefer to work at companies where sustainability is a priority, investing in a sustainable IT infrastructure is likely to help your cause.
With this in mind, Dell has reviewed a number of factors that can go into providing more sustainable technologies for organisation’s and customers.
Electronic Waste and Climate Change
The World Health Organisation has noted that collection and recycling of electronic waste “is key to protect the environment and reduce climate emissions.” In fact, one study by the Global E-waste Statistics Partnership found the recycling of just 17% of global e-waste—the proportion recycled globally in 2019—prevented the release of 15 million metrictons of carbon dioxide into the environment. 14 According to the WEEE Forum, worldwide e-waste generation amounts to more than 57 million metric tons annually. 15 The Environmental Protection Agency suggests that better electronics stewardship is critical to solving the e-waste problem, and has called on manufacturers to address the issue in a variety of ways :16
Electronics materials
Resources used for electronics production typically include raw or virgin materials requiring energy-intensive and emissions-releasing mining, transport, and processing. “Source reducing raw materials can save natural resources, conserve energy and reduce pollution,” the EPA notes.
Supply chain and development
The negative impact of electronics manufacturing on the environment can be reduced when products are made with fewer materials, with recycled materials, and with materials that last longer and are recyclable themselves.
Procurement
According to the EPA, “the first step in using electronics sustainably involves purchasing equipment that has been designed with environmentally preferable attributes.”
Collection/Reuse/Refurbish/Recycling
Manufacturer take-back programs can ensure that used electronics are managed, recycled, or reused responsibly.
What are Dell doing to support these practices?
Recycling old devices
Dell’s recycling processes help keep your old computers and IT equipment out of global waste streams. Here’s how:
- First, we look for reuse opportunities – as a whole system or by parts. Then, we find opportunities to reuse raw materials (such as plastics, glass, and metals). Those materials can then be used to make new products – including IT equipment – which supports the development of a circular economy
- We follow all equipment throughout our recycling processes to make sure it is managed and disposed of in an environmentally responsible way.
We are committed to keeping unwanted IT equipment out of waste streams and accelerating the circular economy. That’s why we offer convenient recycling services to help. Our programs reuse materials, safeguard your business brand reputation, and responsibly dispose of end-of-life computing equipment.
We started offering recycling services in 1996 and since 2007, we have recovered more than 2.5 billion pounds (1.1B kg) of used computing equipment for responsible recycling. Our goal by 2030 is to recover as much IT equipment as we produce and increase our use of recycled and renewable materials.
Sustainable Materials
Our use of sustainable materials helps reduce the environmental impact of making them and recycling them. That's why we’re committed to over 50% of product content and 100% of packaging being made from recycled or renewable materials by 2030.
Responsible Packaging
We're fast-tracking progress toward our 2030 sustainability goals. Packaging for commercial laptops is now made from 100% recycled or renewable materials, including paper alternatives to plastic bags, trays and tape. The best part; it's 100% recyclable so we can work together to keep it out of landfills.
