This article appeared in the October 2023 issue of Resource Recycling. Subscribe today for access to all print content.
A broad spectrum of U.S. companies have integrated environmental, social and governance (ESG) standards into their corporate culture and practices. For the electronics and materials life cycle management sector, ESG seems like a natural fit, particularly in light of the inherent environmental and data security benefits of key services such as IT asset disposition (ITAD) and electronics recycling.
Given this reality, could industry players be doing more to advance their customers’ ESG aspirations?
Certainly, ITAD and electronics recycling best practices, whether it’s refurbishing devices for resale or simply keeping hazardous materials out of landfills, intrinsically align with basic ESG values. However, other important elements must be considered, and this includes reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, which are potent contributors to climate change.
It’s well documented that services such as the refurbishment and resale of devices and the use of recovered materials to produce electronics generate lower emissions than manufacturing that relies on virgin raw materials. But by how much? After all, ESG reporting demands numbers, not generalities.
Accounting for the scope 3 emissions (also known as “value chain emissions”) generated by ITAD and electronics recycling providers can be particularly challenging. However, scope 3 emissions cannot be ignored, especially since they often represent the majority of an organization’s total GHG emissions.
Not to be overlooked, businesses are rightfully concerned about the financial sustainability of their ESG initiatives. The question then becomes, “How can ITAD and e-recycling providers help customers achieve their ESG objectives in a fiscally responsible manner?”
Four essential benchmarks for providers
By itself, possessing ITAD and electronics recycling core competencies is not sufficient to satisfy the rigorous ESG demands of corporate America. Increasingly, service providers are expected to align with their customers’ ESG values and to support specific ESG initiatives and reporting. And these services must fit within departmental and organizational budgetary constraints.
The following are four essential benchmarks for ITAD and electronics recycling providers to consider when navigating the challenging world of ESG.
1. Comprehensiveness of service portfolio
The more services providers can deliver in house, the less they have to outsource specialized tasks to other vendors, thus reducing the need for carbon-emitting transportation. Another benefit of a comprehensive service portfolio is that the provider maintains a tighter chain of custody over the customer’s asset stream. Assuming the provider follows best practices and has earned strong third-party certifications, this helps ensure that a customer’s assets and any sensitive data they contain are properly managed.
2. Scope 3 emissions avoidance measurement tool
Equipping customers to have clear visibility into emissions related to the processing of their electronics needs to be a top priority, given that scope 3 likely comprises the lion’s share of emissions they report. The problem is, the growing number of tools for calculating scope 3 emissions avoidance differ significantly from one to the next, and they may not adhere to current industry standards. Consequently, careful consideration must be given to key aspects of the various carbon calculators, including:
Which data inputs are used for calculations.
The source of the data.
How many categories of e-waste the tool encompasses.
The methodology used in calculations.
Validation of the methodology by a third party.
How results are presented.
Accessibility of the reporting and its availability in real time.
3. ESG values and actual ESG track record
Is the service provider’s stated commitment to ESG values reflected in its everyday activities? A solid indicator of ESG commitment is the provider’s own ESG reporting, assuming it exists. The scope and detail of the report should address every aspect of ESG. Besides describing specific ESG initiatives, the report should also include metrics showing progress toward ESG goals, and it should adhere to widely accepted ESG reporting standards and frameworks.
4. Ability to maximize value and mitigate costs
Achieving ESG goals involves costs, and it requires buy-in from a customer’s leadership and other stakeholders. This is why it’s so critical for ITAD and electronics recycling providers to demonstrate value and return on investment to the customer. Examples of “value added” include providing carbon offsets and reporting in support of a customer’s efforts to achieve net-neutral goals. Cost mitigation can be achieved in a number of ways. For example, offering a full range of services under one roof reduces the need for customers to source other vendors, saving them both time and money.
In summary, ITAD and electronics providers, by virtue of their services, already have a head start when it comes to helping customers achieve their ESG objectives. But becoming a true ESG partner requires more, including a demonstrated commitment to ESG values and investments that empower customers to reach increasingly ambitious goals.
Curt Greeno is president of Dynamic Lifecyle Innovations, a full-service electronics and materials life cycle management corporation. He can be reached at [email protected].
This article appeared in the October 2023 issue of Resource Recycling. Subscribe today for access to all print content.