How the tech industry can tackle the e-waste crisis head on

The success of the technology industry has been built on its constant innovation, always seeking out and creating products that are 'quicker' or 'more powerful' or 'sleeker'. However, as a consequence, there has been an elephant in the room growing for some time -- one that is yet to be tackled and taken seriously. That elephant is the mountain of electronic waste (e-waste) that continues to pile high every year.

With our tech consumption now comprising of everything from smartphones to tablets, from laptops to smartwatches, we as an industry bear a responsibility to manage the eventual waste these products create. Currently the amount of e-waste we generate rises by 347 million metric tonnes each year, and only 17.4 percent of it is known to be collected and properly recycled. To reverse the considerable environmental damage created by the IT industry, we need to change how we procure IT. 

The UK missed the waste electrical and electronic equipment (WEEE) collection target for the sixth year in a row last year, which should be a concern for every IT leader. For this not to become a decade-long theme of missing targets, the tech industry must start making changes today to curb its waste problem.

Addressing our current unsustainable IT habits

The way many businesses currently procure their IT is ultimately unsustainable. While nobody can argue against the decision to buy new equipment regularly for its performance, reliability and because everybody likes shiny new things, doing so ignores the vicious cycle of take, make and replace that is slowly harming our planet. Much like any other form of waste, e-waste comprises of both toxic substances that can be released into the environment such as mercury and lead, but also materials of real value.

One of the most popular vices that businesses tend to jump towards is the immediate habit of replacing hardware when it starts flagging with something brand new. This means mining another set of precious raw materials and disposing of a product with largely perfectly adequate components. 160,000 laptops are disposed of every day in the EU alone and for every new laptop having to be made in replacement, an average of 316kg of CO2 is created, 190,000 liters of water is used, and 1,200 kg of earth and rock is mined. With increased demands for businesses to become more sustainable, the tech industry now offers options to change old habits for the better and make quick and easy wins.

Alongside the environmental impact of buying new, there are also societal pressures impacting supply chains such as global conflicts and political trade instability. With our current habits being to always seek out now, constant demand has led these issues to create problems such as the global chip shortage, where demand is now outstripping the supply of vital components.

Why now?

The UK produced the second most e-waste as a country in 2022 and is on course to take the unwanted top spot by 2024. Although businesses may think that throwing away the odd laptop or allowing them to collect dust in the stationary cupboard isn’t contributing to the problem, the truth is that every little helps. There is a growing sense that more and more people within the industry want to be more environmentally conscious, but actions speak louder than words. If you could buy something that looks and performs like new but saves you money and protects the environment at the same time, why wouldn’t you?

Decision makers are facing sustainability pressures, and more so now than ever sustainability is rising to the top of the c-suite agenda. Yet to really address the e-waste crisis, investment in the tech circular economy through processes like remanufacturing and refurbishing are vital. Ultimately inaction on the environment is costly -- half of CEOs believe climate risks will impact their firm's cost profile within 12 months.

Remanufacturing is a certified and proven option that can help businesses of any size procure their technology sustainably, today. Not only does remanufacturing directly address the growing e-waste crisis but it can help organizations save money and become more sustainable immediately. Every existing laptop that is preserved beyond its first iteration, whether used for parts, properly recycled or remanufactured for a second lease of life, will slowly but surely break the cycle of unsustainable consumption and needless e-waste. The upcoming year is a chance for the tech industry to take responsibility in tackling this issue.

Developing the tech circular economy

When a piece of technology drops off from its peak performance or no longer fits the needs of its user, it doesn’t become worthless. The alternative to having raw materials mined out of the earth every time technology reaches this stage is by investing in the circular economy. Remanufacturing is rooted in the circular economy, re-using 99 percent of all materials, with the remaining 1 percent being recycled. Developing a sustainable consumption and production model that bears in mind reuse is a goal that tech leaders should strive towards to be able to tackle the e-waste crisis head on.

It's important to note that the industry itself can’t go it alone and support from government will be key to foster and drive change. The new Net Zero department created in the restructuring of the Department for Business, Energy & Industrial Strategy (BEIS) will likely create new policy and a focus on e-waste should be seen as a critical part of this.

But for now, utilizing remanufactured laptops will start to slowly but surely break the cycle of unsustainable consumption and needless e-waste, especially at an enterprise level. Such a process can help develop sustainable consumption, helping hit net zero targets, cut costs and protect our natural environment for future generations. However, more organizations need to start taking the first steps in order to make a real difference. We urge organizations of all sizes to join us on this journey to help grow the tech circular economy and start addressing e-waste.

Image credit: ermess/Depositphotos.com

Steve Haskew, is Head of Sustainability & Social Leadership, Circular Computing. In his role Steve leads on defining, developing, and implementing the CSR strategy for Circular Computing. His vision is a key driver of growth across the business and ultimately looks at achieving a reduction in carbon footprint. An industry veteran of over 40 years -- Steve’s career has so far spanned numerous roles and responsibilities, including pioneering and defining the role of the ITAD (IT Asset Disposition), reverse logistics and the principles of re-use in the 1980’s and 1990’s.