How to reduce e-waste and embrace a circular economy
Sponsored by CDW and HP
Canada saw its first Plastic Overshoot Day in 2023 – when the amount of plastic became greater than our ability to manage it. An increasingly large chunk of this plastic comes from discarded electronics or e-waste. This has become a challenge for municipalities in their sustainability journey.
Three Ways Municipalities Can Reduce Waste
Plastics and e-waste raise several concerns for the health of people and the environment. As e-waste volumes continue to rise, municipalities must look for methods to lower electronic dumping and improve circularity within the organization. There are three main strategies to reduce e-waste and promote sustainable electronic usage:
1. Conduct regular e-waste audits – A lack of reliable e-waste data is a critical deterrent. It prevents policymakers from implementing reduction programs. By tracking the volume and types of e-waste generated, municipalities can identify patterns and develop targeted waste reduction strategies.
2. Prioritize circular procurement policies – At the policy level, municipalities can choose to prioritize procurement cycles that incentivize electronics certified for sustainability. This includes everything from laptops to printers made from recycled plastics built with easy repair in mind. Although drafting policies for circular procurement can be complex, it pays dividends over the long term. Less e-waste enters landfills and device refresh costs lower.
3. Leverage IT lifecycle management – With information technology (IT) lifecycle management services, organizations can help ensure they can repair broken electronics, promote device reuse, and responsibly replace end-of-life devices.
From Strategy to Sustainability
Municipalities are partnering with IT lifecycle management providers to reduce e-waste. There are a range of technology products built to help reduce waste, including closed-loop recycling ocean-bound plastics. Energy Star-certified electronics and new-age printing solutions also lower energy consumption and operational costs.
Various programs can help organizations build and establish circular procurement, including IT asset disposition services (ITAD). When searching for a provider, ensure their corporate climate action goals align with your own municipal objectives, such as transitioning to renewable energy and achieving carbon neutrality. Providers can partner with municipal sustainability goals in several ways:
- Sustainable products selection – Personalized assistance in finding sustainable product options with TCO-certified items.
- Managing technology lifecycle – Responsibly get rid of e-waste by participating in compliant ITAD programs, simplifying disposal management.
- Procurement vehicles – Purchase eco-friendly, recycled technology.
CDW and technology partners like HPI offer practical, impactful solutions for municipalities looking to make their electronic device usage more sustainable. This partnership can help municipalities stay on track with their sustainability objectives while optimizing technology investments. To learn more, visit cdw.ca/sustainability. MW
✯ Municipal World Executive and Essentials Plus Members: You might also be interested in Jim Spridgeon’s article: Rising demand for IT asset disposition.
Jen Schrock is CDW Canada’s director of product & partner operations and strategic initiatives. She is passionate about sustainability and serves as a Canadian ambassador to CDW’s global ESG initiatives.
Related resource materials:
