Dell: Can Laptops be More Sustainable and Circular?
Over a six year period, laptops on average produce between 691kg - 928 kg of CO₂ emissions according to Oxford University.
It says that laptops are replaced more frequently than desktops, with an average replacement cycle of four years.
The majority of emissions are the result of manufacturing and shipping and 15% come from electricity consumption while in use.
The manufacturing of this technology can consume large amounts of water and requires extracting raw materials, which can have a significant impact on the environment
Why is it important to be mindful about laptop usage?
The WWF reports that the planet can only withstand a certain amount of greenhouse gases to stay healthy.
The organisation says that both people and nature will face severe consequences if the current consumption increases.
The biggest driver of environmental degradation, it says, is consuming resources at an unsustainable rate from increased production of goods.
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?
Dell is striving to put sustainability at the forefront of its business.
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.”
In 2024 Dell used 43.1 million kg of reused, renewable or recycled material in its products, with 96.4% of packaging being made from recycled or renewable materials.
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 says the company has a commitment to a circular economy.
It has a focus on repair, recovery and reuse of its products rather than creating new.
It has also launched Concept Luna, creating the world's first modular USB-C port that is more durable and easier to repair.
With the focus on reducing electronic waste, Dell provides apps for its customers, with guides for trouble shooting and repairs to help them get the most out of the system.
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.
