Tag Archives: ewaste

News, Sustainability

How IT procurement holds the key to a greener business

Written by Tim Westbrook, director at Stone Group

With sustainability rising up the agenda for governments, customers and staff alike, more businesses are committing themselves to a greener and more sustainable future. However, many don’t realise the importance of tackling e-waste if they are to truly make changes to their environmental footprint.

The amount of e-waste generated through 2021 was predicted to total an estimated 57.4 million tonnes – greater than the weight of the Great Wall of China, Earth’s heaviest artificial object. Much of this waste ends up in landfill, being incinerated, hoarded, or illegally traded. If no action is taken, the UK is set to become the biggest e-waste producer in Europe per capita by 2024, according to Spring. And, when you consider that the average business upgrade cycle happens every three to four years, an abundance of devices are deemed surplus to requirements on a regular basis.

According to our own research conducted with almost 1,200 employees, 55% place responsibility for tackling this issue firmly with business, a sentiment shared particularly amongst employees aged 25 to 34 and 24 and under with 82% and 74% respectively believing companies should be doing more to make a difference to the problem of e-waste.

So how can you help to tackle this growing problem?

Stop hoarding!

Now that many businesses are settling into new patterns of hybrid working, it is a great time to conduct an audit of your IT estate as there are likely to be many devices that are no longer required and many that have long been gathering dust in rooms and cupboards.  While you may not think this hoarded kit is of any value, making sure that these are disposed of responsibly can have a huge impact as they can go on to have second lives elsewhere and reduce the need for the manufacturing of new kit – more on this later!

Make, use, recycle

Rather than the traditional ‘take, make, dispose’ approach, a lot can be gained through a more circular ‘make, use, recycle’ route. This puts sustainability at the heart of every stage of the IT equipment’s lifecycle and considers how a business can maximise the lifespan of a product through repair or re-use as well as how they can re-use or recycle products when they reach the end of their lifespan. By doing this thinking up front, it also allows the business to be clearer on specification as they have the kit’s entire lifecycle and cost in mind. What’s more, the added environmental and ethical importance of the procurement process can also act as a barrier or deterrent to those employees that buy equipment outside of the agreed specification and process – an age-old and costly headache which leads to engineers and support teams being unable to sufficiently manage the kit.

Buying new is not the only option

As the saying goes, if you do what you’ve always done, you get what you’ve always got, so in order to make a difference, change really has to come right at the beginning of the process.  This could include buying remanufactured or refurbished products, an approach that would not only help to lower e-waste but is more cost-effective and also reduces the carbon footprint and environmental impact of manufacturing new products.

Alternatively, lease or buy-back options could also be a more sustainable route, either leasing the equipment you need for a period of time or buying the technology but with a clause in the contract for the supplier to buy-back all or part of the equipment which they can then go on to remanufacture or reuse.

There is still some hesitation from businesses around these sustainable routes, ranging from a fear of receiving inferior products, inadequate guarantees or a belief that they have a shorter shelf life. In truth, refurbished IT equipment is a great way of achieving the specifications a business needs at a lower cost. Reputable sellers offer refurbished equipment in a ‘like-new’ condition and offer warrantees that rival those for new devices.

Consider how to dispose of your unwanted kit

Whilst our research showed that a quarter of businesses were unsure what happened to their e-waste or admitted sending it to landfill, 2 in 5 (41%) organisations were trying to give their kit a second life by donating it to charities or schools and 31% use an IT asset disposal (ITAD) facility. In fact, those using an ITAD facility were not only reaping the benefits of their equipment being recycled or refurbished but cited the ease of the items being collected from their organisation and the fact that they could trust that data was securely wiped from their devices as significant factors behind their choice.

However, if you go down this route it’s vital to check a company’s ITAD accreditations to ensure their service complies with the necessary environmental and health and safety laws and guidelines. It is also a good idea to ensure they can provide a full report and traceability as proof that your equipment has been disposed of responsibly and make sure you choose a provider that guarantees zero waste to landfill.

Make sure it works for you

If any change is to be permanent, then it needs to work for the business and not be a burden. Your ITAD provider should make it easy for you to book collections via an app or website and, contrary to the many providers who charge a premium for collecting old kit, you should in fact look for a company that will offer rebates for your old equipment as many items will hold a residual value. The money you get back for your old kit can then be put towards your new IT purchases or reallocated elsewhere in the business. An increasing number of ITAD providers also now offer refurbished products from major manufacturers, and the option to tailor each machine to your specifications.

If every business was to adopt even one aspect of this circular procurement approach then it would make a significant impact on the world’s sustainability mission.

News

Covid-19 recovery has derailed progress towards Net Zero by 2050

Three quarters of UK businesses support the government’s Net Zero by 2050 target. Yet, recovery from Covid-19 derailed plans and sustainability initiatives for 50%, and only one third (36%) have plans in place and are on track to make the deadline, new research has found.  The survey of over 250 senior decision makers with responsibility for green initiatives across public and private sector organisations by circular ICT solutions provider, Stone Group, found that many are making headway with sustainability initiatives despite pandemic disruption and economic uncertainty. For 32% of respondents, sustainability is a big focus and they have lots of green initiatives already in place, and 45% said they’re beginning to take sustainability more seriously with a growing number of green initiatives being introduced.

Just 19% of respondents said they were talking about sustainability and plan to do more when they can, and only 4% said they weren’t yet making any progress, despite a few initiatives being encouraged. Despite Covid-19 recovery pushing sustainability further down the list of business priorities, 42% of respondents claimed that the shift towards remote working has had a positive impact on their carbon footprint.

However, for the UK to meet its Net Zero by 2050 target, more urgent action is required from organisations to bring their plans and initiatives back on track. Given the UK government’s new ambitious climate change target to cut emissions by 77% by 2035 compared to 1990 levels, bringing the UK more than three quarters of the way to Net Zero by 2050, UK public and private sector organisations need to be contributing now to make these ambitions achievable.

The research found that the sustainability initiatives currently being prioritised by respondents are recycling (50%), smart building technologies (39%), and green order fulfilment initiatives (33%). Sustainable IT asset disposal came some way down the list, as a top-three priority for just 29%.

This, according to Stone Group director, Tim Westbrook, is a crucial area that is being overlooked: “Although UK organisations don’t currently appear to be prioritising responsible IT asset disposal, this is an area where they could be making a big difference. Of the £30 billion of equipment sold by the IT industry each year, just 17% of this is recycled in the UK. If we simply recycled our unwanted small electricals instead of hoarding them or sending them to landfill, the UK alone could save 2.8 million tonnes of CO² emissions – the equivalent of taking 1.3 million cars off the road.

“While organisations have had an incredibly challenging year and are understandably focused on mitigating the impact of the pandemic, it’s important that we don’t let progress with our sustainability targets slip. Initiatives don’t need to be onerous or require a lot of investment to make a big difference, either. We launched our IT asset disposal app, Stone 360, last October so organisations could arrange collection of their redundant IT equipment in a few easy clicks. We then collect it from them and securely wipe, recycle, or refurbish items, requiring minimal time and input from customers. Users of the app can track the rebates from their old IT assets, with the option to boost points to purchase new or refurbished IT from Stone. We’re also working with the National Forest to plant a tree for every 200 pieces of kit donated.”

Since it launched, the Stone 360 app has received over 3,000 downloads and has resulted in almost 200,000 items of redundant IT hardware being recycled at its ITAD facility, with over 500 trees planted on behalf of its customers.

News

Businesses increasingly choosing refurbished devices when upgrading IT

UK organisations are taking a more sustainable approach to their IT estate management, with refurbished devices becoming a more environmentally responsible choice for those looking to update hardware, new research has found. Three in five (59%) organisations currently purchase refurbished hardware and a quarter purchase refurbished IT equipment where possible, while 42% purchase a mix of refurbished and new. Environmental considerations (55%) and value for money (55%) were identified as the top reasons organisations opt for refurbished hardware. However, some survey respondents had concerns around the quality (36%) and longevity (36%) of the equipment, as well as the guarantees they come with (34%).

The survey of over 250 senior decision makers with responsibility for green initiatives across public and private sector organisations by ICT solutions provider, Stone Group, found that organisations are also taking a more sustainable approach to IT assets at end of life through reuse or recycling initiatives. Two in five businesses donate old IT hardware to charities or schools (41%), while a third restore and keep them (32%) or use an IT asset disposal facility (31%) to responsibly recycle their ageing, redundant or broken hardware. A further 26% of respondents said they plan to use an ITAD facility in the next 12-24 months.

When asked why they use an ITAD service, the secure removal of data from devices came top of the list, identified by 40% of respondents. However, ironically, when the respondents who do not currently use an ITAD service were asked why, the secure removal of data was identified as the top concern deterring them from it (46%).

Tim Westbrook, director at Stone Group, commented, “With 53.6 million metric tonnes of global e-waste generated just last year alone, we need to urgently reconsider how we think about, purchase, and dispose of our IT. However, there still appears to be widespread misconceptions around the reliability of refurbished devices and recycling options available.

“Refurbished devices are a cost-effective and sustainable way of updating IT estates – and we’ve seen just how crucial these have been to schools and colleges to enable remote learning throughout the pandemic. However, to ensure the quality of devices, organisations need to ensure they’re working with a fully accredited refurbisher, and that the devices they purchase come with warranty and upgrade options to future-proof the investment. These warranties are as good as those that come with the purchase of a new device.

“Organisations can also overcome concerns around IT asset disposal and data by ensuring that their ITAD partner uses best in class data erasure software to securely remove all data from hard drives before the device is refurbished or recycled.

“To help time-poor organisations manage the ITAD process, we’ve developed a dedicated app, Stone 360, to help them quickly and easily organise collection of their redundant devices and hardware for recycling or refurbishment. The process is quick and easy and allows businesses to reduce the negative impact of their e-waste on the environment, while doing their bit for a greener IT supply chain.”

Please visit: https://www.stonegroup.co.uk/

News, Sustainability

Sustainability still a top priority for businesses in spite of Covid-19 and profitability pressures

Sustainability remains a top priority for over a third (37%) of businesses, in spite of Covid-19 recovery and profitability concerns. New research reveals that organisations are even prioritising sustainability ahead of preparing for hard recession, growth plans, and managing post-Brexit challenges.

The survey of over 250 senior decision makers with responsibility for green initiatives across public and private sector organisations by leading UK ICT solutions provider, Stone Group, found that almost half (45%) of businesses have decided to take sustainability more seriously, while for 32% it continues to be a big focus.

Of the respondents that said their organisation was already implementing environmental initiatives, 53% said the main driver was ethical beliefs, and 41% cited cost benefits. The supply chain topped the list of green areas of focus for almost half (46%) of organisations, followed by facilities (39%), logistics (37%) and IT estate management of ageing hardware (36%).

The driving force behind these different initiatives appears to vary: 37% of respondents said their organisation have set up a ‘green task force’ to drive environmental change and a third said their organisation had appointed a sustainability manager. The research showed that sustainability efforts are typically led by or contributed to by those in senior management positions. Three in five respondents said their CEO was involved in their organisation’s green initiatives, while over half have managers (53%) or heads of departments (51%) involved.

The survey findings also indicate that organisations are starting to take a more sustainable approach to their IT estates, with 59% claiming to purchase refurbished hardware, and 31% claiming to use an IT asset disposal service. However, one in five respondents said they still send their old IT to landfill.

“It’s incredibly positive to see so many organisations taking steps towards becoming more sustainable. In fact, our research showed that the majority of respondents place sustainability even higher up the business agenda than preparing for recession, growth plans, and managing post-Brexit challenges,” commented Tim Westbrook, director at Stone Group.

The research shows that there appears to be a disconnect between the number of organisations that claim sustainability is important to them, and those taking real, effective action. 34% of respondents claimed a lack of resource is preventing them from moving towards their goals, while 31% said the cost of investment in initiatives is too high. However, Stone Group believes that excessive resources or investment aren’t always needed to make effective sustainable change.

Westbrook continues: “A sustainable approach to IT hardware purchasing and disposal is an area that should not be overlooked, and one where fast and widespread change is crucial, as 53.6 million metric tonnes of global e-waste was generated just last year alone.

“To help tackle this challenge, we’ve recently launched our Stone 360 e-waste recycling app, designed to make it easy for organisations to arrange collection of their redundant IT equipment, receive rebates, and have a tree planted on their behalf. All items are then taken to our dedicated IT asset disposal (ITAD) facility where they are securely recycled or refurbished. The app is designed to be quick and easy for organisations to use, while helping to significantly reduce their carbon footprint.”

Charity & CSR, IT Support, News

Stone Group invests in the National Forest to encourage more businesses to recycle ageing IT

Leading UK ICT solutions provider, Stone Group, has announced its partnership with the National Forest, to help it fulfil its commitment to support tree planting on behalf of its customers when they recycle their old IT equipment through the new Stone 360 app.

Launched last month, the app allows organisations to arrange collection of their ageing or redundant IT equipment to be taken to Stone’s dedicated IT asset disposal (ITAD) facility, where they are securely recycled or refurbished. Users can either cash in the value of their recycled goods or collect points to purchase refurbished or new IT from Stone.

Staffordshire-based Stone Group elected the National Forest as its partner to support positive local environmental change, assisting the charity in its mission to prove that nature, society and the economy can work in harmony so that we all have a positive future. The three-year agreement will simultaneously support Stone in its core value of sustainability and its aim to encourage customers to recycle e-waste and generate donations in support of the National Forest.

Covering 200 square miles of the Midlands, the National Forest spans parts of Staffordshire, Derbyshire and Leicestershire.

Users of Stone 360 are able to track their contribution to the National Forest through the app. For every 1000 points earned, a tree will be added to their ‘virtual woodland’ and a donation made to the National Forest. The partnership will result in a minimum of 400 trees planted in the National Forest on behalf of customers per annum, with funds donated through collections also put towards its woodland management, education, and community programmes.

Tim Westbrook, director at Stone Group, commented, “With 53.6 million metric tonnes of global e-waste generated just last year alone, the IT industry faces an enormous challenge in tackling the responsible disposal of IT hardware such as laptops, desktops, monitors and printers.

“It’s crucial that the IT industry does more to minimise its negative impact on the environment and we think it’s time resellers stepped up to the challenge. At the end of the day it’s the resellers who have the customer relationships and sell them new hardware.
“While we’re confident that the ease, convenience, and benefits, of the Stone 360 app will be enough to get UK businesses and organisations on board with our mission and making simple changes that will have a big impact, we’re delighted to be able to offer our customers the opportunity to also support the creation and management of new woodlands in the National Forest. Not only should this further encourage responsible disposal of e-waste and reduce the harm it causes to the environment, but by supporting the Forest, we’re also proactively making a positive contribution.”

David Bourque, director of development at the National Forest, commented, “The National Forest is a nationally inspiring place working on sustainability, in partnership with business, delivering positive change. Like Stone Group, we are solutions focused and by working with business partners who adopt sustainable solutions we can achieve a positive future together.”

The Stone 360 app is available on both iOS and Android devices.