Business PickupDevices like tablets and smartphones have become an indispensable part of the workforce. Employees across all industries use these electronics to carry out countless work-related activities each day. In recent years, they’ve enabled flexible work arrangements and connectivity among remote teams. Yet, they also come with a cost.
E-waste is taking a toll on the environment, especially in terms of pollution. Not only does e-waste take up space in landfills, but it also contains heavy metals that can have a toxic effect on our ecosystems. While regulators are cracking down on how e-waste is handled, users must also play an active role in minimizing the environmental impact of devices. Businesses therefore have an obligation to build sustainable mobile device lifecycle management practices into their corporate social responsibility/ESG policies.
Here’s a look into what companies can do to reduce e-waste and promote sustainability.
Fostering a Circular Economy
While the issue of compounding e-waste is complex, one major barrier is the lack of awareness which is preventing a circular economy from taking hold. In a circular economy, resources are reused and recovered instead of disposed of at the end of their lifecycle. To increase visibility around this model, businesses must direct employees on what to do with their end-of-life devices.
A good starting point would be creating enforceable policies and processes within the company’s device lifecycle management plan. For example, the company might require remote employees to request a mail-back envelope for their retired assets, in which they could then ship it back to the company. From there, the IT department could wipe the data and restore the device to its factory settings. Then, it could be sent to a processor (such as Quantum) for refurbishment and resale.
This process allows the majority of corporate devices to see another lifespan. In cases where devices can’t be reused, they can be stripped down to recyclable components to minimize e-waste and pollution.
Reducing Your Company’s Carbon Footprint
Not only does Quantum enable reuse for your devices, but we can also reduce your overall carbon footprint. After all, reuse and recycling don’t just extend the lifecycle of devices, but these activities also help to reduce manufacturing and its impact.
Through our sustainability reporting with estimates for carbon emissions reductions and greenhouse gas reduction calculator, we allow businesses to see the full scope of their carbon emissions reductions based on the volume of devices they send to us. This allows businesses to share real data with stakeholders so they can stay transparent about their ESG efforts.
Quantum’s electronics solutions are customizable to each business’s unique needs. Find out more about how we can help you maximize the value of your end-of-life IT assets while reducing your carbon footprint here.