Dell: Championing Laptop Sustainability & Circularity
Over a six-year span, laptops typically generate between 691kg and 928kg of CO₂ emissions, according to research by Oxford University.
This study highlights that laptops are often replaced more frequently than their desktop counterparts, with an average lifecycle of four years.
The bulk of these emissions come from the manufacturing and shipping processes, while about 15% are produced during their operational use through electricity consumption.
The production of this technology can also require extensive water usage and the extraction of raw materials, putting considerable pressure on environmental resources.
Why is it important to be mindful about laptop usage?
According to the WWF, Earth can only withstand a certain amount of greenhouse gases to stay healthy.
It says that the excessive consumption of resources stemming from the increase in goods production is a primary factor in environmental deterioration.
Karen Ellis, Chief Economist at WWF, says: “We are living in a time when human impacts on the environment are changing the face of our planet.
“I believe that finding ways to ensure that we as a global society live sustainably is the top priority if we are to ensure that nature, the species we love so much and we ourselves are able to live in harmony on this planet.
“We are working hard both in the UK and together with our partners in countries all over the world, to find ways to do this, to identify more sustainable patterns of development, and to promote more sustainable management of our natural resources.”
What can IT companies do to help combat this?
Technology companies like Dell are leading the charge towards incorporating sustainability into its core business practices.
Michael Dell, Chairman and CEO at Dell Technologies, says: “Sustainability and ESG commitments are now widely recognised as business imperatives that impact everything from supplier decisions to business strategy.
“At Dell, we are both meeting our goals and helping customers meet theirs.”
By 2024, Dell has reportedly used 43.1 million kg of reusable, renewable or recycled materials in its products, with 96.4% of its packaging being made from recycled or renewable material.
Dell has set itself sustainability targets including:
- Reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 50% by 2030
- Source 100% of electricity from renewable sources by 2040
- Reduce absolute scope 3 GHG emissions by 45% by 2030
- Reduce scope 3 GHG emissions associated with the use of sold products by 2030.
What does Dell do to be sustainable?
Dell has a commitment to a circular economy, prioritising repair, recovery and reuse instead of producing new components.
It has also launched Concept Luna, introducing the first modular USB-C port designed for enhanced durability and ease of repair.
In addition, Dell supports sustainability by offering apps that assist customers with troubleshooting and repairs, prolonging the usability of their systems.
Maria Mohr, Sustainability Lead for the Global Presales Technical Community at Dell, says: “Sustainability has always been integral to how we operate — woven into our processes, products and the ways we help customers achieve their goals.
“We take an end-to-end approach to sustainability.
“We consider sustainability in every offering – including our as-a-Service solutions for more flexible IT management,”
“By connecting robust internal operations with impactful customer solutions, we bring sustainability to every step of the process, fostering progress for businesses and the planet.”
Top tips for using laptops sustainably
Oxford University has released tips to help reduce the emissions of laptop use:
- Avoid purchasing extra screens
- Choose either a desktop or a laptop, don’t own both
- Return unused equipment to IT services so it can be redeployed
- Turn off a computer at the wall instead of leaving it on standby
- Try to extend the life cycle of products rather than instantly swapping out
- Repair laptops rather than replacing them
- When disposing of equipment that is no longer useable, use an environmentally responsible scheme.
