6c. Minimise the lifecycle impacts of equipment used by teams
A range of approaches can be taken to reduce the impacts of hardware used by teams designing, developing and operating services.
Many of these policies may be determined at the organisational level, and not by individual teams.
Sub-actions
6c. (i) Ensure that only necessary devices are provided
6c. (ii) Extend the life of devices where possible
6c. (iii) Buy refurbished devices
6c. (iv) Buy energy efficient devices
6c. (v) Manage Bring Your Own Device (BYOD)
6c. (vi) Apply appropriate disposal methods across teams and supply chain partners
(i) Ensure that only necessary devices are provided
Assess the device needs of teams and organisation. Gather information on the number of devices required, the reasons for needing them, their necessary functionality based on user roles, expected lifespan, and other relevant factors.
Choose the right equipment for different roles. For example, make sure inspectors have a suitable device for field work.
Limit peripheral IT equipment like monitors and printers, and consider adoption of ‘thin’ client devices.
Environmental benefit:
Avoid the environmental impacts assoicated with the provision of devices that aren’t actually needed.
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(ii) Extend the life of devices where possible
Adopt approaches that will extend the lifespan of devices.
For example, the battery is often the first part of a laptop to fail or need replacing. Use power management approaches to help extend battery life.
Repair or upgrade existing devices only when the benefits clearly outweigh the costs. This means we need to compare the costs of upgrades with their potential benefits, such as improved functionality and extended device lifespan.
Environmental benefit:
Extending the life of devices redcues electronic waste and the embodied impacts of new devices.
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(iii) Buy refurbished devices
Refurbished devices have been restored to a like-new condition. Buying refurbished hardware can reduce the impact of your devices by up to 85% (Reference: Procurement Guide)
Environmental benefit:
Purchasing refurbished devices extends the life cycle of existing devices, reducing electronic waste and saving on the impacts coming from minng, processing and manufacturing new devices.
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(iv) Buy energy efficient devices
Ecolabel certifications like EPEAT and Energy Star identify more energy efficient devices. These include:
• laptops
• desktop computers
• monitors
• peripherals
Product Carbon Footprint (PCF) and testing energy loads can also help assess the energy performance of devices.
Environmental benefit:
Devcies that are more efficient use less energy!
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(v) Manage Bring Your Own Device (BYOD)
Bring your own device (BYOD) is a policy that allows employees to use their personal devices for work.
Suppliers are responsible for making sure contractors stay within an organisation’s device policy.
Environmental benefit:
Reduces environmental impacts of manufacturing new end-user devices. However, this approach does mean employees are left to dispose of devices appropriately at their end-of-life.
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(vi) Apply appropriate disposal methods across teams and supply chain partners
Recycle old devices. Does your current supplier contract include end-of-life management services?
Establish clear goals and metrics for e-waste collection and recycling.
Environmental benefit:
Appropriate end-of-life disposable should mean zero electronic waste to landfill and ensure that valuable materials can be recovered.