Procurement of devices

Imperial purchases hundreds of devices per year. Each device generates a carbon footprint which then grows with usage and disposal. In fact, on average a laptop generates 230.2kg carbon during its entire life span when you consider mining, manufacturing, packaging, shipping, fulfilment, delivery, use and recycling.

Usage 

On average, a laptop generates 230.2kg of carbon over its lifespan. One third of that comes from device usage. You can reduce the amount of carbon you generate whilst working by following some simple steps outlined in the “how you can help” section of this website. 

Recycling

Disposal is an important factor in the life of a device. If this is not completed properly, and without the right checks in place, items sent to be recycled are often disposed of in less than ethical ways. We are working with suppliers that guarantee zero to landfill recycling. To achieve this, they commit to using components from Imperial devices in other appliances and devices, creating a circular economy.

We ask that others join us in using our preferred supplier for device recycling. An added benefit is that, depending on the device age and condition, value can be taken out and reinvested into newer devices.

Zero waste and circular economy

Zero waste and circular economy

Zero Waste and Circular Economy are two concepts that aim to reduce waste and protect the environment.

How does Zero Waste work?  

This is the principle of minimising waste production as much as possible, then composting, reusing, or recycling any other waste generated. It aims to develop an infrastructure in which no materials or products are discarded. Instead, everything is recycled and reused to the fullest.

What is the Circular Economy?

This refers to the idea that nothing goes to waste and everything has value. It is based on the principle of 'make, use, remake' rather than 'make, use, dispose'.  This means designing for durability, reuse, remanufacturing and recycling to keep products, components and materials circulating in the economy.  

One of the biggest benefits of recycling material is that all the energy, carbon emissions, and waste that are created by extracting the raw materials to make something from scratch are avoided.

For example, some appliance companies take back old refrigerator units and use the metals in them to make new ones. Clothing manufacturers recycle old garments and reuse the fabric for new designs.  

How are the two different?

It may be helpful to think about zero waste and the circular economy as two sides of the same coin. While zero waste tends to focus on what we use and throw out (consumption), the circular economy is a way we describe the innovative actions of companies and industries that take those discarded materials and make them useful again (remanufacturing). Both encourage us to look at the whole picture when we are making, buying, and discarding the things we use in our lives.

How does the Circular Economy fit with Zero Waste ICT?

ICT are looking at the actions and strategies that will move us towards zero waste. The circular economy is a part of that shift. As we reconsider our relationship with the materials we use, this opens up a space for innovation. (Refer to new green hardware and software procurement strategy, recycling initiative, designing lean processes in line with sustainability goals, and looking to innovate across all elements of ICT environmental impact and thinking/ strategy).

What is Zero Waste to Landfill?

Zero waste is more of a philosophy than an immediate goal, used by companies to refer to the longer-term ambition to eliminate waste from business activities, both upstream with suppliers and downstream with customers. This has a lot of overlap with the concept of the circular economy.

But for many businesses zero waste is a long way away from becoming an economic reality. This is because the product designs, materials, industrial processes, business models, regulatory landscape, and public infrastructure do not yet exist at the scale required to achieve it. 

Zero waste to landfill, however, is a specific goal that can be achieved today and independently verified. The common interpretation is that at least 99 percent of generated waste is diverted away from landfill. Which means that all waste produced is either reused, recycled, composted, or sent to energy recovery.  The Carbon Trust has developed a Carbon Trust certification for Zero Waste to Landfill, to provide independent verification for this type of claim. 

Source: The Carbon Trust

How we are making positive changes to the lifecycle of a device

Our aim is to reduce the carbon footprint of each device in the areas that we can influence. This is what we know so far:

  • We are working with suppliers to understand their practices and, where possible, change them. We have asked our suppliers to deliver devices via electric vehicle for the “last mile” to Imperial, effectively from their warehouse to Imperial. This is still to be achieved, but by doing this, Imperial is working to reduce the emissions associated with its procurement activities within London.
  • ICT is working to consolidate orders for devices. By consolidating orders where possible, and using a single supplier, we are able to reduce the number of deliveries coming into Imperial.