Technology has helped us reduce waste and consumption, but we must also find solutions for when it reaches the end of its useful life
As we rely more on digital technology, a false assumption grows that society is not creating as much waste as it used to.
It’s true that one of the benefits of a so-called paperless office is that there’s no more paper to throw away, or ink cartridges to dispose of.
Taking it further, the more of life we can do online, the less requirement there is for physical products which get casually used up and then sent packing on their way to landfill.
But while there are obviously many benefits brought about by these developments, they also present challenges when it comes to sustainability and climate change, and what to do with unused tech.
At Born Good, we take the issue of e-waste extremely seriously, and believe that reducing it can solve many problems, and not just those facing the planet.
This is some placeholder text due to the colours not working correctly. This blog really would require some great copy for here.
What is e-waste?
Put simply, e-waste is anything that contributed to the digital and electronic infrastructure and is now no longer needed.
That could be televisions, computers, laptops, tablets or phones.
It can even be the plugs and cables those products used for power and connection, as well as the many components it takes to build these machines.
Any kind of electronic item that has reached the end of its useful life.
It may not sound like much but, on a global scale, the amount of e-waste the world generates is enormous.
In fact, in 2021, the planet’s estimated e-waste weighed more than the Great Wall of China, coming in at somewhere around 57 million metric tonnes.
That’s a lot of unused tech, and this is why growing the circular economy is so crucial. [Link to blog number one]
Looks can be deceiving
We don’t see the point in reducing reliance on one set of high-pollution resources only to replace them with another.
Perhaps the attractive appearance and compact size of electronic and digital technology equipment dupes people into thinking there will be no harm to the environment once they are done?
We’re changing those attitudes, and ensuring the technology is given another chance to continue its contribution for the good of businesses, organisations and ordinary people.
Instead of assuming equipment is at the end of its life, we work to repurpose and to recycle to ensure there is plenty left for it to do.
And absolutely none of our e-waste ends up in landfill.
Businesses need to change the way they think about e-waste. Indeed, they should not think of used equipment as waste at all, and instead focus on how it could have new life breathed into it.
This is the work we do at Born Good, and repurposed IT equipment can deliver huge financial savings for the people we work with, by revitalising and reusing equipment, or selling it on when it would have otherwise been heading for the bin.
It helps society too. Much of our work sees used IT equipment given a second chance in the hands of someone who may never have had the opportunity to access latest technology.
A best-in-class solution when getting rid of old computers
Our mission is for a best-in-class solution to IT asset management, with the dividends being felt far and wide.
It’s smarter for businesses and kinder for the planet.
Some might have security fears about sending old computers away to be revamped and redistributed.
But security is our first priority – everything is under lock and key and customers’ data is always protected.
As the world moves towards net zero, the responsible management of IT equipment which has already helped reduce emissions will be key.
Society cannot become complacent.
Our work helps to solve those problems, and provides many other positive solutions along the way.