Technology As A Basis For Improving Sustainability

Companies are becoming increasingly aware that Volatile practices will cost more in the long run, both in terms of reputation and profitability, and that is why they are taking more and more action. Although all industries and sectors as a whole contribute differently to emissions, one thing is clear: technology can have the power to increase efficiency while reducing product and resource waste.

Implementation of a sustainable IT strategy

A well-defined and structured sustainable IT strategy can help any organization achieve its social, economic and environmental goals. Smart investments in quality, secure IT equipment will not only save time and money in the long run, but can improve sustainability credentials and build better, stronger reputations for companies that want to go green. This is why Dynabook Europe GmbH, a Japanese brand heir to Toshiba, has been offering products and solutions of the highest quality, safety and reliability for more than three decades.

Remote work and stability

Committing to a sustainable IT strategy seems easy, thanks to remote work, as fewer office workers means reduced CO2 emissions from transportation, heating and cooling buildings, commuting and consumption diaries.

But sustainability isn’t just about direct carbon emissions, as nearly 54 million tons of electronic waste were generated in 2019. This number is projected to increase to 74 million metric tons by 2030. According to reports, only 20% of this amount was successfully processed using the reduce, reuse and recycle model.

technology as a solution

Computers, laptops, tablets, phones and printers all have their own environmental footprint, and with the global boom in interest and need for wearable devices during the pandemic, it can be easy to think that remote working is bad for you.

However, this is not necessarily true. Although some experts consider current consumption of electronic materials to be unsustainable, IT managers have an opportunity to move away from a linear model and move towards a circular economy in electronics while improving environmental performance over the life cycle of products. For a circular and sustainable economy in the IT industry, it is essential to reduce electronic waste and use systems such as reuse, recycling and asset recovery.

a sustainable hybrid option

The first way for IT users to reduce e-waste is to ensure that the equipment purchased lasts as long as possible and that the technology runs smoothly and efficiently. It can also be achieved remotely: general maintenance updates and technical support need not be a face-to-face task.

Technology providers are already taking steps to reduce the carbon footprint of their devices. On the one hand, by reselling old equipment that is still in good condition, and on the other, through sustainable recycling initiatives that allow customers to dispose of their items in an ecological way.

It also makes good business sense, because resale old equipment that is still in good condition can be bought back from the organization, so small businesses can benefit from the discount and put it toward other investments. For equipment reaching the end of its life cycle, a robust recycling initiative will ensure that any buyer can delegate the disposal process to their supplier.

Looking towards circular economy

Technology users, whether they are businesses or consumers, are rarely constrained by a single supplier, so the responsibility for product disposal often rests with the decision-makers who move up the supply chain. However, more and more suppliers are implementing more sustainable policies in their businesses and this pressure comes directly from the companies and customers they supply. Changes towards a more circular operating model with respect to technical equipment and improved behavior towards electronic waste are already in full swing.

Mate Ramos, General Director of Dynabuk Iberia