Wednesday 6 July 2022
The IT equipment industry is the first to contribute to the development of technology in all industries. In the excitement of technological development, innovation, and progress, companies fail to consider their negative environmental impact.
Given the picture we have today of the environment, i.e. the increasing temperature of the planet, environmental pollution, and carbon emissions, it is necessary for us to mobilize immediately and more drastically.
We as Alfanet, a company that contributes to growth in the IT industry, consider it important to address this situation, that IT companies that promote technology and progress take the lead in handling the impact of their activity. For this reason, we list some proposed solutions which, if evaluated and implemented, will bring significant environmental benefits.
Before we talk about what IT companies should do to limit the environmental problems they cause, let's first consider what those problems are.
Environmental problems from the activity of IT companies.
Consumption of non-renewable resources
The IT industry relies heavily on the mining of precious metals such as gold, silver, and steel to make circuit boards and circuits. Also, the manufacture of IT equipment requires huge amounts of water and electricity, which is produced from non-renewable sources such as coal and oil.
Waste generation
IT equipment does not only produce waste when it becomes obsolete and must be disposed of. Even its manufacturing process creates a large amount of waste in factories. Also known as "technotrash". Technotrash includes hazardous and non-hazardous waste that must be disposed of using special methods, but also in compliance with environmental regulations.
Carbon emissions
Over the last century, the amount of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere has doubled due to carbon emissions. Carbon emissions are another direct contributor to global warming. Factories producing IT equipment from the extraction of raw materials, the production processes, and the processes of transportation of the finished products, enhance carbon emissions and contribute to the production of greenhouse gases.
The solution to all the above problems lies in Green Computing. Green Computing or Green IT is the manufacture, use, and disposal of IT equipment in an environmentally friendly manner. The central concept focuses on achieving sustainability, efficiency, and environmental and human safety.
How can IT companies play a key role in technology production by adopting Green IT practices?
Achieving Energy Efficiency
IT equipment manufacturing companies should focus on making products that require the use of the least possible energy. They could focus on the production of energy-efficient IT products, which require less electricity to operate.
Also, beyond IT equipment manufacturing companies, other types of industry-related companies have an important role to play in Green Computing. Data Centers around the world consume a huge amount of energy which is generated by the consumption of fossil fuels. To achieve energy efficiency such companies must recognize the problem and switch to consuming renewable energy sources to power their systems.
The IT departments of each company should adopt Green Computing practices. IT system managers in companies are deemed necessary to focus on reducing energy consumption, through data collection, analysis, and ultimately rational management of the technology they own. It is also suggested that alternative methods of operating their systems be explored to reduce the overall carbon footprint.
Life cycle improvement
As technology evolves, the lifespan of IT equipment shortens. IT systems are produced in an increasingly complex manner, with the result that any malfunction is associated with a replacement rather than a repair.
Therefore, manufacturers of IT products must adopt innovative ways of production to improve the life cycle of products. They can achieve this by focusing on manufacturing equipment in such a way that any malfunction is amenable to easy repair which is more beneficial than replacing the equipment, thereby extending its life.
In this way, the life cycle of electronics will be increased and companies will comply with Green Computing as well as with the 3Rs that characterize environmental sustainability. (Reduce, Reuse, Repair)
Secure electronics
Manufacturers should also minimize the use of toxic materials in the manufacture of IT equipment. Electronics should be made with environmentally friendly materials, helping to protect the health of society as a whole.
Disposal of IT equipment
Along with technology users, even IT companies need to dispose of their e-waste responsibly. Parts that cannot be used should be recycled. In addition, materials such as aluminum, iron, copper, and plastic should be recovered and reused.
Green Computing should not be viewed by companies as just liability, but as an opportunity that can save them significant amounts of money while improving their market value.
Alfanet is particularly aware of sustainability and Green IT issues, as it already implements most of the above practices and is constantly exploring ways to make its production processes environmentally sustainable. Its goal is to be an environmental model and to motivate other companies in the IT industry in this direction with its example.
