UNCOVERING THE LAYERS
A TRULY CIRCULAR IT ECONOMY IS KEY TO EFFECTIVE REDUCTION OF BOTH EMBODIED ENERGY IN IT ASSET MANUFACTURE AND THE GROWING MOUNTAIN OF E-WASTE . from stakeholders including customers , investors and partners , Scope 3 emissions data will need to be included in carbon accounting to provide an accurate assessment of a data centre ’ s climate impact . However , to ensure this , your IT equipment and channel partners and customers need to collaborate closely with your organisation to maximise the circularity of hardware . It ’ s a team effort and should be seen as a positive initiative by the data centre and wider IT industry , rather than a chore – especially when it comes to achieving and complying with ESGs .
Further benefits come from saving space rather than holding on indefinitely to equipment no longer required , not forgetting the PR value created in front of customers and employees , and even the financial returns from the proceeds of preused assets resold into the market .
Supporting a circular economy also has a benefit to the challenge of conflict minerals and a need to reduce mining for all technology products . Just digging the earth exposes sulphide minerals to air and water . Mining speeds this natural process up – known as acid mine drainage – and is poisoning local waters for hundreds of years . To produce the same amount of minor metals that we use today , we will burn more carbon dioxide to supply power for mining operations and we will create more waste , chemicals and tailings tomorrow .
In summary , extending the life of IT assets and disposing of unusable assets responsibly and ethically will enable a positive contribution to your data centre ’ s carbon credentials and compliance while supporting the UN Sustainable Development Goals . A truly circular IT economy is key to effective reduction of both embodied energy in IT asset manufacture and the growing mountain of e-waste . With global e-waste on course to reach 74 million tonnes by 2030 , there ’ s still a lot of work to do . �
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