5.26 Include E-Waste, Right-To-Repair, and Recycling Policies
The organization addresses e-waste, right-to-repair, recycling, and related practices in its operations.
Criteria
- E-Waste Policy: The organization has specific policies in place to recycle e-waste and repair owned technology products whenever possible.
- Recycling And Repairing: The organization has formed relationships with local partners for e-waste recycling and repair.
- Refurbishment Strategy: The organization buys refurbished equipment whenever possible.
- Right-to-Repair: The organization allows consumers to repair (to the best of their ability) the consumables they purchase, offering (if possible at cost) replacement components and provides clear instructions to resolve faults that occur.
Impact
High
Effort
Medium
Benefits
- Environmental:
Organizations with clear e-waste and recycling policies reduce environmental impact and promote circularity, while also extending the shelf-life of technology hardware. When coupled with clear philanthropic policies, donated hardware can also support resource-constrained charities. - Economic:
Extending the shelf-life of hardware and clear e-waste / recycling policies reduces costs.
GRI
- materials: High
- energy: High
- water: High
- emissions: High
Example
Resources
- Carbon Emission Implications of ICT Re-use at the University of Edinburgh (PDF)
- Digitization and the Environment
- Electronic waste
- Future trends of Green All Optical Networks and ICT Infrastructure in a large context
- [GPFEDS] 2.7 – Specifications (Maintainence & Decomissioning) (PDF)
- How Companies Are Addressing The e-waste Problem
- How To Effectively Use Second-Hand Products In Your Business
- How to write an environmental policy
- How to write an environmental policy (PDF)
- How Your Business Can Unpack and Prioritize Sustainability Through Recycling
- Materials & Parts
- Reduce, reuse, recycle
- Sources and Streams of Electronic Waste
- To Green the Internet, We Need RIPE
- United Nations [SDGS] Goal 3 (Health & Well-being)
- United Nations [SDGS] Goal 7 (Sustainable Energy)
- United Nations [SDGS] Goal 11 (Human Habitats)
- United Nations [SDGS] Goal 12 (Consumption & Production)
- United Nations [SDGS] Goal 13 (Climate Change)