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Best Practices for Sustainability in Technology

The world of business moves fast. It wants more, it wants better and it needs it immediately. But this creates an ever-increasing demand on the earth’s limited resources—so how can the need to continually evolve technology be reconciled with the need to reduce the demand for new raw materials and energy?

This is an important topic for industries across the globe, not just within meetings and events. With a client base that spans various sectors, from entertainment to pharmaceutical, we’ve noticed a growing interest in the focus of sustainability in both BCD Meetings & Events and our supply chain.  


 

Sustainability in technology: Best practices for all industries


Cloud-based
solutions

Cloud data centers have very efficient, state-of-the-art power and cooling systems that use less energy than lots of small computer rooms and offices. 

Remote working

By allowing more people to work remotely, BCD M&E have reduced the amount of energy being used by our teams to travel to and from work.

Repair, Re-use, Recycle

By investing in our team’s ability to repair items, we’re able to extend the life cycle of equipment before resorting to disposal. 3-year warranty agreements are also in place, to cover external engineer repair, where expertise is required.

When laptops become too slow for professional use, they are often perfectly functional to others. Wherever possible, we donate our laptops to charities that refurbish them for families in need, for example, the very aptly named Computers for Charities (CFC).

Once a piece of equipment finally reaches the end of its life and cannot be re-used or re-furbished, it’s shipped off to a specialist recycling unit where the majority of its components and materials are retrieved and re-used where possible.

Related article: How To Incorporate Sustainability Throughout the Event Lifecycle


Reduction of devices

Reducing the number of printers in offices is an easy solution to saving power and materials. It encourages individuals to find digital solutions, such as electronic signatures, and generally reduces the need for paper and printouts.

Personal ownership

Communicating your sustainability goals to your teams and encouraging individuals to play their part is key. Even the smallest acts, such as turning off all devices at the end of the day, have proven to be effective. This is especially impactful in large businesses.

 

Upgrade technology

Although this may seem counter-intuitive, new technology is being designed to use less power and is becoming increasingly more efficient. Hardware providers are also responding to the demand for greener, sustainable solutions by making their equipment easier to repair.

Meetings and events

Looking within the meetings and events industry, there are also external strategies that can be put in place to improve sustainable technology practices at on-site events.

  • Encourage digital check-ins rather than physical passes to reduce paper consumption and printing materials. The use of mobile applications can also be used to share relevant information on the event and to replace paper agendas.
     
  • Consider the equipment being used on-site (projectors, digital kiosks, etc.)—can they be more energy efficient?
     
  • Source electric/hybrid modes of transportation instead of traditional diesel/petrol vehicles.
     
  • Check if the site venue has sustainable technology in place, such as LED lighting or the adoption of renewable energy.
     
  • Include recycling strategies in the design phase of the event – explore options such as LED wristbands and collection points where tech can be re-used for another event or properly recycled. 

 

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Originally published Oct 3, 2022 5:00:00 PM
Last updated on Dec 22, 2022 2:57:58 PM

Written by Chris Davis

 

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