The IT world talks a lot about sustainability - from energy-efficient data centers to the circular economy for hardware. But how green is your IT strategy really? Many companies underestimate how much CO₂ is hidden in the life cycle of their IT or how the procurement of devices affects environmental and social standards.
In this article, we examine whether your IT is as sustainable as it could be. With clear facts, concrete questions and practical approaches, we give you the tools to re-evaluate your IT.
1. the invisible CO₂ footprint: IT hardware in focus
Did you know? The production of an average laptop causes about 300 kilograms of CO₂. More than 70 % of the environmental impact occurs in the production phase. Nevertheless, many companies primarily think about energy consumption during operation - an important, but not the only decisive factor.
Reality check:
- Are sustainability criteria taken into account in your hardware procurement?
- Do you have processes in place to recycle or resell devices at the end of their life cycle?
Tip: Remarketing of used IT equipment not only reduces electronic waste, but also extends the useful life and saves resources. Find out more about sustainable IT remarketing approaches here.
2. energy efficiency ≠ sustainability: data centers and cloud solutions
Migrating to the cloud is considered an environmentally friendly solution. But not all cloud services are equally green. The energy consumption of data centers now makes 1 % of global electricity consumption and the trend is rising.
Reality check:
- Do you use cloud providers that work with renewable energies?
- Did you optimize your on-premise infrastructure before you switched to cloud services?
TipCertifications such as ISO 14001 or the "Green Cloud Initiative" can provide guidance.
3. circular economy in IT: from waste to resource
Only 17,4 % of all e-waste generated worldwide is recycled correctly - a huge potential remains untapped. Materials such as gold, silver and rare earths can be recovered from old devices.
Reality check:
- Do you have clear guidelines for returning and reusing old IT hardware?
- Work with certified partners to ensure the BSI-compliant data erasure ensure?
TipA professional lifecycle management approach guarantees that devices are recycled or reused in a way that conserves resources.
4 The social aspect: sustainability is more than environmental friendliness
A green IT strategy also means taking social standards into account. The mining of raw materials such as cobalt or lithium is often associated with human rights violations.
Reality check:
- Do you pay attention to supply chain transparency and fair working conditions when procuring hardware?
- Do you purchase appliances from suppliers who have environmental and social standards certified?
Conclusion: sustainability is a process, not an end goal
Creating truly green IT requires regular review and adjustment of your strategy. The key is to take a holistic view of all phases of the IT lifecycle - from procurement to operation and disposal.
Do you want to make your IT more sustainable? Start with an honest reality check and get support from experts who specialize in the circular economy and certified data solutions.
