A tidy data centre - easier to update
to avoid entering into lengthy and expensive support contracts and helping to minimise IT maintenance expenditure. The repair approach therefore offers
organisations a not only viable, but in some cases a better alternative to simply buying in a new piece of equipment.
Overproduction As well as manufacturers encouraging businesses to buy ‘new,’ tons of old products are left wasted in its warehouses. Companies are irresponsibly producing a lot more than is required and, with the current rate of innovation, it often results in stacks of equipment that is out-of-date before it even leaves the manufacturer. Companies that continue to rip-and-
replace their network infrastructure are only perpetrating the pandemic of overproduction. What’s more, as the pace of new
technologies increases, it is becoming harder to track the valuable metals used in products. Rare earth metals are used heavily in many electrical goods, from hard drives, mobiles and even fibre cables, and this will only rise as we develop more uses for technology. The problem is that rare earth metals
often come hand in hand with deadly toxins, such as mercury, barium, lead, chromium and cadmium, amongst others.
www.netcommseurope.com Eradicating these toxic substances
from products is becoming increasingly difficult and when products are discarded, the toxic metals can be extremely harmful and damaging to the environment, not to mention the risk to those living near where the equipment is being disposed. For example, these products can
release carcinogenic fumes when burned as well as leaking dangerous chemicals into landfill sites.
The ‘green’ facade As more and more organisations become aware of the growing volumes of e-waste, many are stepping up to play their part in creating greener networking practices by investing in ‘greener’ products. They are often unaware, however,
that the ‘green’ credentials of these products are often not all they seem. Whilst the equipment is indeed ‘greener’ when in operation, this often doesn’t account for the extremely energy- intensive manufacturing processes or the environmental footprint of transportation. All of which are completely
unnecessary if the existing hardware is functioning and, therefore, negates any green benefits gained from using the product. The hushed reality is that the energy consumed in the manufacturing processes is greater than the total
energy consumed during a life-time of daily operational use from an existing, repaired product. There is no doubt that repairing,
rather than replacing, faulty IT and telecoms equipment has the ability to dramatically reduce waste and save businesses money. When considering that the majority of
high-tech products deemed to be e-waste could be repaired and then reused, it is astonishing that repair services are an often-overlooked solution. While it is extremely tempting
to become part of this ‘throwaway culture,’ attitudes are beginning to change, however. Organisations are seeing the true value of creating greener networks for both business and ethical purposes, as well as becoming acutely aware of manufacturers’ encouraging a consumption culture for their own ends. Ultimately, there is no better time
than to build Britain’s appetite for repair. Consuming less and prolonging the life cycle of products can save money and reduce waste, making the logical option for improving business efficiency and lessening the burden on the environment.
www.comtek.co.uk
NETCOMMS europe Volume IV Issue 3 2014 13
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