Digital Sobriety Pt3: How to make our IT Cirular

The publication of an article by Techbuyer in IEMA (Institute of Environmental Management and Assessment) addresses the urgent need for digital sobriety if the IT industry is to remain sustainable. IEMA petitions and acts in the name of sustainability; they educate and campaign for the cause of the environment to help reduce the impact of waste and energy consumption globally.

The article addresses the increasing rates of CO2 emissions and energy consumption of the technology sector. During the pandemic, a 6% reduction in global energy CO2 emissions was recorded (source IEMA article 26 March 2021), however, post-pandemic, the numbers are worryingly higher. The need to act, to consider the process of production, the ‘carbon cost’ (such as air miles used in production) and ‘embodied carbon’ (the emissions produced through the manufacture of goods) undoubtedly need to be addressed.

Implementing new practice calls for a shift in consumer mindset. A resultant change in behaviour will then undoubtedly impact on the output of emissions, leading to a cleaner environment, a sustainable way of working and the availability of cost-effective products.  

Buying new less frequently, upgrading with refurbished equipment and choosing energy-efficient models is a small shift in thinking that will bring about big change. Resisting the temptation to upgrade and buying refurbished instead of new makes sense in that it is both sustainable and good for the bottom line.

It might be surprising to learn that simply turning off your camera during an online call is 94%, more energy-efficient than being 100% connected. Storing fewer photographs, streaming less video, and avoiding adding attachments to emails, in turn, is more energy-efficient.

Techbuyer is working hard to reduce the environmental impact of IT, and with a global reach including Europe, the US and Asia Pacific, we are rapidly spreading the sustainability word. We buy, refurbish, and sell servers, storage and networking equipment, laptops, desktops, and components from over 150 brands including HPE, Dell and Cisco. In turn, we both upgrade and repair existing IT hardware. As leaders in our field, we are here to help your business flourish in the most sustainable and cost-effective way possible. Find out more about our sustainability goals

Key Points:

  • Post-pandemic it has been shown that global emissions are increasing. This needs to be addressed as a matter of urgency.
  • A shift in consumer mindset is essential if the situation is to be managed. Looking at the consumption of hardware, in addition to the ways in which we all use IT is key.
  • To have an impact, these changes need to be implemented globally, and as a leading provider of sustainable IT solutions in the sector, it is our ethos to help bring about change.

Read the full article on the IEMA website.