Your business can make an impact on the monumental global e waste problem by following these guidelines to ensure sustainability.
We’re nearly halfway through 2022, and humans have already generated more than 9 million tons of e waste this year. That’s 9 million tons of telecommunications equipment, solar panels, computer monitors, and consumer electronic devices that will never be powered back on again. The global e waste problem is larger than we suspect.
When it comes to creating an effective e waste management strategy, there’s no one size fits all.
Among corporate buzzwords, “sustainability” is here to stay. The drive to build a sustainable operation is not only a moral imperative. Consumers also reward companies that show a real commitment to doing what’s right for the environment, according to several studies.
If your business is facing repeated pick-up failures and other e waste management challenges, a new solution could help.
Too many cooks in the kitchen…it’s destined to get messy. The same goes for electronics recycling. It’s difficult to manage and navigate reporting, brand protection, and environmental compliance when you’re dealing with multiple, if not dozens or more, electronic recycling companies.
With e waste management challenges stacking up, this global provider of home internet connectivity solutions knew action was needed.
A global operation is by its sheer size always challenging to manage. Hundreds of sites in different countries — all of different sizes and designed for different purposes — demand an organization in control of every piece of the puzzle.
Organizations are getting better at recycling but as these e waste statistics show, there’s a lot of room for improvement
Need proof your company can play an important role in improving the global environment while raising its sustainability profile? Just look at the e waste statistics.
Corporate e waste is the inevitable reality of modern business. But by getting the disposition right, you can make it part of your green pitch.
We generate more electronic waste today than ever before in history. Data centers, IoT technology, smartphones, ventilation equipment, GPS systems — the list is endless and growing. The Americas alone produced 13.1 metric tonnes (Mt) of e-waste in 2019. In just four years, the global e waste management market is projected to hit $40 billion.
But the need to recycle electronics does not only present an opportunity for those of us in business to provide those services to you. With corporate sustainability rising in importance, consider how you can reap the benefits too. For instance, make the way you choose to part with your retired electronics part of your company’s green pitch.
Interestingly, a KPMG survey shows North American companies have the highest rate of sustainability reporting in the world. Yet, one study found many firms have not linked their e waste management with their sustainability strategies practices. This suggests there’s an untapped business opportunity. You can turn your efforts to correctly discard and reduce corporate e waste into a sustainability — and competitive — advantage.
Our reliance on technology is as inevitable as the need to eventually upgrade to something newer and better. As a result, you could choose to spotlight your own company. Why now showcase how you’re taking a responsible and environmentally sound approach to the disposal of your corporate e waste?
Consider the following points and potential benefits of correctly tackling the corporate e waste challenge:
Improving business perception
KPMG notes more and more companies are taking ESG reporting — the disclosure of data that details a business’s impact and added value in the areas of environment, social, and corporate governance — beyond industry and SEC requirements. The stakes are real. KPMG writes: “ESG reporting can impact access to capital and the ability to attract new investors. It can allow companies to understand risks that threaten their business model, help build customer loyalty and affect competition for top talent.”
Our take: A responsible corporate e-waste management is indeed your leg up on the competition. It gives you a chance to demonstrate how your business is making a concerted effort to reduce its carbon footprint. In the end, minimized environmental impact can affect how prospects and investors evaluated and perceive your company.
Joining the circular economy
A Brookings Institution survey of 40 companies with a strong record of sustainability found 80 percent cite business-case drivers for integrating sustainability into their business strategies. While those companies said the focus was rooted in an effort to maximize growth opportunities and minimize risk, a few had also moved their corporate strategy beyond financial returns to a values-case by adopting a corporate value or purpose statement.
Our take: The Brookings survey captures two trends that are bound to grow even stronger. It also confirms the KPMG observation that sustainability initiatives can give companies a competitive edge. In the realm of electronics recycling, it could mean working with an R2-certified partner that takes its commitment to environmental and social goals well beyond industry standards.
A partnership that aligns with your corporate electronic recycling strategy can give you an opportunity to extend your organization’s sustainability practices to include corporate e waste and market your business as an active participant in the circular economy.
Leading the sustainability charge
Big players like Apple and Amazon have certainly upped their sustainability game. Both recently vowed to make their supply chains and products carbon neutral by 2030 and 2040, respectively. Their pledges have come amid calls for an industrywide reckoning and increased focus on the impact large companies can have in solving the growing electronic waste challenge.
Our take: With the alarms sounding on the role of electronic waste in climate change, it’s easy to realize the power of sustainability as a business pitch. Again, one of the most effective ways organizations of all sizes can lead the sustainability charge is to responsibly recycle their discarded corporate electronics.
And, as you’re doing so, why not let end-consumers and business partners know you’re pulling your weight in tackling the global e waste challenge?
Do you need help setting up a plan for your corporate e waste? We have the certifications and expertise to create and execute your new plan. It’ll be good for your business — and the environment.
We use cookies to enhance your experience while using our website. If you are using our Services via a browser you can restrict, block or remove cookies through your web browser settings. We also use content and scripts from third parties that may use tracking technologies. You can selectively provide your consent below to allow such third party embeds. For complete information about the cookies we use, data we collect and how we process them, please check our Privacy Policy
