We need to talk about the environmental cost of tech

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In 2019, the Shift Project found that the world’s collective digital carbon footprint was 3.7% of all greenhouse emissions – a similar amount to that produced by the airline industry worldwide.  

That’s alarming enough, without taking into account the fact that manufacturing new tech also takes a huge toll on the environment.  

Deloitte Global predicted that smartphones alone would generate 146 million tons of carbon dioxide in 2022 – with the majority of those emissions being down to manufacture, shipping, and the first year of usage. And that’s without considering the environmental cost of old tech being chucked into landfill. Electrical items are the fastest growing waste stream in the world and when it comes to e-waste, Britain is one of the worst offenders.   

But while tech is clearly damaging to the environment, it is also a key part of the solution. So it’s crucial that we learn to use tech sensibly, in a way that means we can play our part in constructive climate action and minimize our carbon footprint. 

Ask yourself: do you really need to update your tech? 

It’s important to keep your tech up to date, especially when laptops get sluggish or if you can’t use new apps and software – as well as being inefficient, they could be a cyber security risk. But tech moves quickly, so think long and hard about whether you actually need to invest in it.

If you do, consider buying refurbished tech rather than brand new. Look out for organisations, such as Computers4Charity, that refurbish computers from corporates and pass them onto charities and schools. 

Recycle your old tech 

When it is time to replace your tech, there are a few options to avoid it ending up in landfill (particularly as 40% of e-waste collected in the UK is illegally exported).    

But the very first thing you must do before recycling your tech is delete any data from the devices. It’s your responsibility to make sure the data contained is completely erased and we share some simple ways of doing this.  

Then you have some options. Donate it to an organisation such as the Reuse Network, that passes on previously used tech to low-income families. Or you could take it to a retailer or try your local council. We explain these ideas in more detail.    

Clear out as you go 

Every time we send an email, we’re adding to our carbon footprint – around 4g of carbon dioxide. Add a photo to your message and it’ll jump to 50g. While individually those numbers are small, collectively they’re significant.     

Regularly clear out your data, deleting social emails, early versions of documents that you no longer need, and draft emails that will never be sent. While doing this individually will only make a tiny dent on your carbon footprint, collectively it all adds up.

Share links to documents, rather than sending them as email attachments, unsubscribe from emails you never get round to reading, and be mindful of just how many emails you send in the first place.  

Check your suppliers and hold them accountable   

If your organisation is committed to sustainability, that commitment needs to extend to those you work with. Check your procurement processes, and if necessary, update them to include sustainability factors and ask potential suppliers to share their own sustainability strategies and procedures. That way you can make sure they’re a good fit. 

Cost of suppliers is always going to be a consideration, particularly for charities in the midst of a cost-of-living crisis.

But working with a cheaper supplier who doesn’t champion sustainability will only devalue your own efforts. Choose to work solely with suppliers who share your values. You might also keep them accountable by carrying out regular reviews to check that they’re taking the actions they say they are. 

Champion green tech 

Green tech is on the rise – that is tech that aims to make a positive environmental impact or reduce negative environmental impacts.  

Green tech could be anything from personal eco-friendly, energy-efficient devices through to products that disrupt a whole industry (like electric vehicles). It could even refer to billion-pound projects that aim to actively reduce carbon emissions, such as wave energy management systems.  

Green tech is crucial for the planet – and (rightly) it’s a rapidly growing sector. In fact, the market for tech aimed at reducing carbon emissions rose 25% between 2020 and 2021 and Business Wire found that 34% of global consumers don’t mind paying more for sustainable products. So there will swathes of new green tech products available, helping you to make a more informed and climate friendly decision next time you need to upgrade.