Putting IT on the sustainability agenda

Every year, major companies like Apple and Samsung deliver their eagerly awaited new product announcements. But what's the impact on the environment?

Their loyal fans respond by ditching their “old” devices in favour of the latest model, knowing that the next advance is only a few months away! New technology can be very enticing for consumers but this endless desire for the newest product creates enormous amounts of waste.

For decades, the IT industry has built economies on the principle of ever faster turnover, harnessing the power of marketing to encourage consumers to believe that the sooner they replace their devices, the better. Today we are waking up to the fact that this approach, which applies to almost every piece of technology we consume, is no longer viable. It’s time to look for a more sustainable model that is better for businesses, end users and the planet.