Börse Express: AFB Boosts Viennese Insurers’ Sustainability
- A large refurbishing project is expected to save 780,900 kg of carbon dioxide and support inclusive employment.
- A non-profit organization and an Austrian insurance company are collaborating to advance teh circular economy.
- The insurance group has been working with the non-profit since 2011. The insurance company is one of over 150 Austrian businesses that provide used hardware to the organization.
refurbished IT Devices Promote Circular Economy, Reduce E-Waste
Table of Contents
- refurbished IT Devices Promote Circular Economy, Reduce E-Waste
- Refurbished IT Devices: Promoting a Circular Economy and Reducing E-Waste
- What is a Circular economy and How Do Refurbished IT Devices Fit In?
- What are the Environmental Benefits of Refurbishing IT Devices?
- How Does Refurbishing IT Devices Support Social Duty?
- How Does the Refurbishing Process Work, and How Secure is it?
- What is the Scale and Impact of Refurbishing Projects?
- Who are key players in this space?
- How Can Companies Demonstrate their Commitment to Sustainability Through refurbishing?
- Summary of Key Benefits
A large refurbishing project is expected to save 780,900 kg of carbon dioxide and support inclusive employment.
A non-profit organization and an Austrian insurance company are collaborating to advance teh circular economy. The initiative involves the refurbishment of at least 9,000 IT devices, primarily notebooks and monitors, this year.More than 80% of these devices are notebooks. These refurbished devices will be suitable for use in homes and educational settings, reducing electronic waste, minimizing emissions, conserving resources, and supporting inclusive job opportunities.
The insurance group has been working with the non-profit since 2011. The insurance company is one of over 150 Austrian businesses that provide used hardware to the organization. All processes, including data erasure, component replacement, cleaning, and operating system installation, are handled internally, ensuring data security.The organization picks up the devices using its own transportation fleet.
Of the 7,500 notebooks slated for refurbishment in 2025, it is estimated that 90% will be successfully reconditioned. The remaining 10% will be used for spare parts or properly recycled.
According to a managing director, the project is estimated to save primary energy and 4,143,934 liters of water compared to manufacturing new devices. The director also stated that the project ensures the preservation of six jobs for individuals with disabilities.
An insurance director stated that thay actively promote environmental awareness throughout their business operations, from procurement to environmentally responsible disposal and the refurbishment of notebooks.
The organization provides its partners with a certificate outlining the ecological and social impact of their contribution, which can be used for environmental, social, and governance (ESG) reporting and Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD) reports. The impact is assessed based on studies conducted with institutions such as the Technical University of Berlin and climate protection organizations. The organization’s commitment to inclusion is reflected in its workforce, where 41% of its 80 employees have disabilities.
About the Organization
The organization is reportedly Europe’s largest non-profit IT company. As 2004, it has focused on certified IT remarketing to conserve environmental resources. It operates in multiple locations across Europe and employs approximately 700 people,with a important percentage having disabilities.
The organization’s business model involves partnerships with over 1,800 companies,banks,insurance companies,and public institutions. It acquires their used IT and mobile devices, securely erases the data, upgrades the hardware, installs new software, and sells the refurbished devices with a minimum 12-month guarantee, primarily to individuals, non-profit organizations, and schools.
The organization has received awards for its inclusive IT concept, including an inclusion prize, a German Sustainability Prize, and a Sustainable IT Award. It is indeed certified to ISO 9001 standards and is a Microsoft Authorized Refurbisher.
Refurbished IT Devices: Promoting a Circular Economy and Reducing E-Waste
Are you concerned about electronic waste and looking for sustainable IT solutions? This Q&A article explores how refurbished IT devices contribute to a circular economy, offering environmental and social benefits. This article is based on a collaboration between a non-profit organization and an Austrian insurance company that promotes the circular economy by refurbishing IT devices.
What is a Circular economy and How Do Refurbished IT Devices Fit In?
A circular economy moves away from the traditional “take-make-dispose” model and focuses on reuse, repair, and recycling. This approach minimizes waste and maximizes the value of resources. Refurbished IT devices play a crucial role in this model. Instead of discarding old electronics, they are repaired, upgraded, and given a second life.
What are the Environmental Benefits of Refurbishing IT Devices?
Refurbishing IT devices offers significant environmental advantages:
Reduced E-waste: By extending the lifespan of devices, refurbishment reduces the amount of electronic waste that ends up in landfills.
Lower Emissions: Refurbishing requires less energy compared to manufacturing new devices, resulting in reduced carbon dioxide emissions.One project aims to save 780,900 kg of carbon dioxide.
Conserved Resources: Refurbishing conserves valuable resources and primary energy, such as 4,143,934 liters of water compared to manufacturing new devices.
Beyond environmental benefits,refurbishing IT devices supports social responsibility:
Inclusive Employment: The project ensures the preservation of six jobs for individuals with disabilities. The organization has a workforce where 41% of its employees have disabilities.
Community Access: Refurbished devices are often sold to individuals, non-profit organizations, and schools, making technology more accessible.
How Does the Refurbishing Process Work, and How Secure is it?
The refurbishment process involves several steps to ensure high-quality, secure devices:
- Acquisition: Used IT and mobile devices are acquired from partners, including businesses and insurance companies.
- Data Erasure: data is securely erased from the devices.
- Upgrading/Repair: Hardware is upgraded or repaired as needed.
- Software Installation: New software and operating systems are installed.
- Quality Control: Devices are tested and certified.
All processes, including data erasure, component replacement, cleaning, and operating system installation, are handled internally, ensuring data security.
What is the Scale and Impact of Refurbishing Projects?
A non-profit organization and an Austrian insurance company are collaborating to advance the circular economy. The initiative involves refurbishing at least 9,000 IT devices, primarily notebooks and monitors, this year, including at least 7,500 notebooks. An estimated 90% of the notebooks will be successfully reconditioned.
Who are key players in this space?
One of europe’s largest non-profit IT companies is a key player in this space. As of 2004, it has focused on certified IT remarketing to conserve environmental resources. the organization has received several awards for its inclusive IT concept.
How Can Companies Demonstrate their Commitment to Sustainability Through refurbishing?
Companies can partner with organizations or use refurbished devices internally to demonstrate their commitment to environmental sustainability.
The organization provides its partners with a certificate outlining the ecological and social impact of their contribution.
* This certificate can be used for environmental, social, and governance (ESG) reporting and Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD) reports.
Summary of Key Benefits
| Benefit | Description |
|————————-|———————————————————————————————————————|
| Reduced E-waste | Extends device lifespans, preventing electronic waste from entering landfills. |
| Lower emissions | Refurbishing uses less energy than manufacturing new devices, thus reducing carbon emissions. |
| Resource Conservation | Saves primary energy and water compared to manufacturing new devices. |
| Inclusive Employment | Provides job opportunities for individuals with disabilities. |
| Cost Savings | Refurbished devices are frequently enough more affordable than new devices. |