Shades of Green: The Complex Quest for Sustainable Rackmounted PCs
We started asking new questions: Where are these components made? What’s their carbon footprint? Are they recyclable?
To drive real change, companies should take proactive steps: choose eco-friendly materials, partner with responsible suppliers, and reduce waste. Certifications like ISO 14001 are the gold standard for accountability.
Ten Years and Counting: The Hidden Costs of Longevity
Our rackmounted PCs are known for their durability. Some of our earliest models are still humming along after 10+ years in harsh environments. Durability is a form of sustainability, reducing e-waste and minimising replacements. But longevity alone doesn’t tell the whole story.
Green Goals, Grey Areas: Why Sourcing Sustainability Isn’t Simple
Ask ten suppliers about their eco credentials, and you’ll get ten different answers. Some highlight recyclable packaging. Others boast energy-efficient operations. Few deliver both and even fewer offer transparency.
Try finding a motherboard that’s both high performing and eco-certified (we did) and you’ll find you’ll find you’re making tough choices: the most capable motherboard or the one with the least environmental impact?
Little Fixes, Big Impact: Steps Towards Greener PCs
While we haven’t cracked the green supply chain yet we’re heading in the right direction by:
- Manufacturing our metal work and packaging in the UK to cut down shipping emissions
- Designing for repairability: reducing landfill waste
- Recycling packaging, reusing wherever possible
- Using solar-powered operations, efficient energy use
We’re powering change behind the scenes too:
- Renewable Energy: Our facility’s rooftop solar panels significantly reduce our carbon footprint.
- Waste Management: We follow strict regulations and explore innovative waste-reduction methods guided in part by ISO 14001 principles.
- Comprehensive Recycling: From electronics and packaging to office waste, we’re committed to circular economy practices.
- Energy Efficiency: Every corner of our operation from our workshop floor to desktop is optimised for low energy consumption.
It Takes a Network: Partnering for Sustainable Tech
Powerful tech can and should coexist with responsible sourcing.
We’d like to do more. More demand for sustainable components means more incentive for suppliers to adapt. Sustainable tech needs a shared language; transparency, responsibility, and green innovation. ISO standards like 14001 and 50001 offer frameworks for environmental and energy management helping suppliers align with global best practices.
We’ve already seen what’s possible through partners like Simms, one of our carbon neutral suppliers. Their commitment helps prove that environmental leadership can go hand in hand with high-performance hardware. They’ve set a bar we hope others follow.
Help Us Grow Greener: Let’s Build Greener Together
We’re committed, curious, and asking better questions. If you’re a supplier pushing boundaries, or a customer with ideas, let’s talk.
Together, we can build powerful PCs that drive performance and sustainability, not compromise one for the other.
FAQs
What makes a rackmounted PC sustainable?
Our rackmounted PCs are designed to consume less power, be repairable, and operate for over a decade in harsh environments. This minimises waste and frequent replacements. Plus, we’ve integrated solar-powered operations and efficient energy use into our facilities for a more positive environmental impact.
Are eco-certified components worth the trade-offs?
It depends on your priorities. Eco-certified parts often mean lower environmental impact but can come with performance limitations. We aim to find the sweet spot. Components that deliver both sustainability and capability.
How does local sourcing reduce carbon emissions?
By cutting down on long-haul shipping and the associated fuel use. Sourcing components locally means fewer transportation miles, lower carbon output, and often faster delivery times. These all contribute to a more sustainable supply chain.
Can repairing rackmounted PCs help reduce waste?
Absolutely. Repairability means fewer devices in landfills. Our PCs are built for easy maintenance and long-term performance, encouraging users to upgrade or fix instead of replace. It’s better for your budget and for the planet.
What is your company doing to promote greener tech?
We’re taking proactive steps: solar-powered facilities, comprehensive recycling, local sourcing, and always designed for longevity. We are focused on getting 14001 certified this year to ensure continuous improvement and accountability in our sustainability.
