The linear production and consumption of IT products contribute to the climate crisis, the unsustainable depletion of natural resources and enormous amounts of toxic e-waste. However, managing IT products in a circular way can help reduce these problems. Let’s find out how.
Our climate
Reducing greenhouse gases
Challenge: IT products are a source of greenhouse gases throughout their life cycle, from manufacturing through to distribution, use and disposal. A lot of effort goes into the use phase and making products more energy efficient, but for many IT products, the majority of the greenhouse gas emissions are actually created in the manufacturing phase.
How circularity helps: By extending the life of IT products, fewer brand new products are needed and greenhouse gas emissions from manufacturing can be reduced. Reusing components and materials to manufacture new products are other ways of reducing climate impact — less energy is needed and the use of fossil fuels such as coal, oil and natural gas is reduced. Using recycled plastics instead of virgin plastics can also reduce energy use in manufacturing.