The Growth of Electronic Waste
Electronic waste is the fastest-growing waste stream on the planet. That is a global challenge because the toxic materials in e-waste can leach into the environment, and improper handling can expose workers and others to harmful substances. Data centers are responsible for about 4% of all e-waste every year—that’s two million tons of computing and networking equipment, monitors, circuits, cooling technology, and other electrical components. To be true stewards of the environment, data center owners and operators need to pay attention to the problem of e-waste and do their best to minimize this impact on the environment.
A global challenge
The world generated 53.6 metric tons (Mt) of e-waste in 2019, and that number is expected to grow to 74.7 Mt by 2030. Around 8% of e-waste ends up in landfills or incinerated, and because of heavy metals like lead, mercury, and cadmium and other toxic materials like flame retardants and polychlorinated biphenyls, this type of waste is responsible for about 70% of the toxic pollution on the earth’s surface.
Estimates by the Global E-Waste Statistics Partnership suggest that only 17.4% of e-waste is formally recycled or disposed of, with up to 82.6% illegally handled, including dumping it in low- or middle-income countries.
Data centers and e-waste
At the end of its useful life in a data center, there are three options for getting rid of computing and electrical equipment—discard, donate, or recycle. There is little regulation in the U.S. to direct lifecycle management for this type of equipment, making it incumbent on data center owners and operators to make informed and responsible decisions regarding the disposal of their equipment.
Data centers also discard equipment for other reasons than end of life. The rapid pace of innovation and advancements in computing technology means that some data centers are getting rid of equipment because its function is obsolete, not because the equipment is no longer functional.
Managing e-waste: Reduce, reuse, recycle
First and foremost, data centers have to pay attention to equipment lifecycles and create a sustainable approach to innovating and updating—including initial design, using equipment created greenly, re-using equipment, and creating a sustainable plan for recycling once it is past its useful life in the data center. The goal is to reduce the amount of e-waste. A solid and complete IT asset disposal program creates policies to repurpose or recycle older hardware, and makes it easier to deal with e-waste.
Reduce
- Design and build sustainably. Incorporate lifecycle considerations in the design and build phase to reduce the amount of equipment required.
- Prolong equipment lifespan by implementing regular maintenance.
- Prioritize acquiring computing and electrical equipment made with recycled and recyclable parts.
- Optimize equipment use
- Consolidate servers, as most aren’t running anywhere near capacity.
- Reduce the amount of data you store, such as by using deduplication software.
Reuse
- Enhance reuse. Studies show that only about 28% of companies reuse or repurpose their IT hardware internally.
- Create strategies for outdated equipment.
- Repurpose for backup resources, extending their usefulness.
- Dismantle equipment properly to salvage and reuse valuable components effectively.
Recycle
- Collaborate with certified waste vendors that are committed to stringent recycling standards.
- Ensure responsible processing—guarantee that waste vendors you work with vendor adhere to environmentally responsible processing methods to avoid adverse impacts on the environment.
- Prevent overseas dumping. Confirm that the waste vendor commits not to send discarded IT equipment overseas to countries with lax processing regulations, ensuring a global commitment to responsible e-waste management.
Addressing the growth of electronic waste is imperative for a sustainable future. With data centers contributing significantly to this issue, responsible management of computing and electrical equipment becomes crucial. Data center owners and operators bear the responsibility to establish comprehensive policies and practices that prioritize environmentally sustainable options, to make a dent in the scope of the problem, and to help reduce the two million tons of e-waste they contribute annually.
Contact us today to take immediate action to develop and implement sustainable strategies for managing your electronic waste and have a positive impact on both their business and the planet.
