How Fibre Broadband Can Help Reduce the Environmental Impact and E-Waste of Small Businesses

E-waste, or electronic waste, has grown into a significant environmental issue globally, and the UK is no exception. A report from tech-recirculation service Spring reveals that in 2019, the UK generated approximately 1.6 million tonnes of e-waste. This put the country on track to becoming one of the largest producers of e-waste per capita in the world. Small businesses, which make up 99.9% of the UK’s business population, contribute significantly to this e-waste problem.

While there is no specific data on how much e-waste is generated by SMEs, the Carbon Trust has disclosed that the average SME produces around 15 tonnes of CO2 annually, making up 44% of the total UK non-household emissions. Despite their substantial contribution, research from Lloyds Bank found that over three-quarters (77%) of small businesses lack the appropriate strategies to reduce their carbon footprint in the next three years. However, there is a promising solution that can help mitigate this impact: fibre broadband.

Below, we’ll explore how adopting fibre broadband can help small businesses improve their operational efficiency while reducing their environmental footprint and the generation of e-waste.

The environmental impact of e-waste in the UK

E-waste is a catch-all term referring to discarded electronic devices such as computers, smartphones, and network equipment like routers and modems. As we discussed in a previous post, e-waste contains hazardous pollutants including lead, mercury, and flame retardants. These materials can leach into soil and water, causing severe environmental and health problems. According to an article published by Ernst & Young, only 17.4% of e-waste is properly recycled, with the remainder ending up in landfills or being incinerated, both of which are detrimental to the environment.

In addition to the direct environmental hazards, the production and improper disposal of electronic devices have a massive carbon footprint. The manufacturing process alone is energy-intensive, involving the extraction and processing of raw materials, assembly, and transportation. When these devices are discarded prematurely, the energy and resources invested in their production are wasted, further contributing to unnecessary carbon emissions.

How fibre broadband can help reduce SME’s carbon footprint

Fibre broadband is a type of internet connection that uses fibre-optic cables to transmit data at high speends. As SMEs increasingly rely on the internet to drive growth, broadband providers have responded by tailoring their services to meet the needs of small businesses. There are now affordable full fibre business broadband packages with symmetrical speeds of up to 1200Mbps and dedicated business support services. Unlike traditional copper-based connections, fibre-optic cables use light signals to transfer data, resulting in faster and more reliable internet service required by SMEs. This advanced technology offers several advantages that can help small businesses reduce their e-waste and overall environmental impact.

Energy efficiency

Citing a study conducted by the European Commission, a Climate Exchange review found that fibre broadband is the most energy-efficient form of broadband internet compared to older technologies such as copper-based ADSL, xDSL, vectoring, and DOCSIS (Data Over Cable Service Interface Specification). One of its findings was that per capita per year, at a speed of 50 Mbps, fibre consumed 56k kWh, resulting in a carbon emission of 1.7 tons. Meanwhile, DOCSIS consumed 88 kWh, resulting in a carbon emission of 2.7 tons, 58.82% higher than fibre.

For small businesses, this means lower energy bills as well as a smaller environmental footprint. This reduction in energy consumption translates to lower carbon emissions even from a macro perspective. The Digital Catapult’s report on the environmental impact of digital infrastructure indicates that transitioning to fibre broadband could reduce the UK’s carbon footprint by millions of tonnes annually.

Longevity and durability

Fibre optic cables are made of glass or plastic fibres, which are put into the ground, making the cables exceptionally durable and resistant to environmental factors such as moisture, severe weather disturbances, temperature fluctuations, and electromagnetic interference. Per Techerati, copper wires in DSL cables have a lower tolerance for tension and are subject to corrosion, thus require a high level of maintenance. In countries like Estonia and Sweden, where they’ve made a complete switchover from copper to fibre, there’s been 70% fewer cable faults.

Ultimately, the longevity of fibre cables means fewer replacements, reducing the requirement for added manufacturing and disposal, reducing e-waste, and lowering the carbon dioxide emitted by things like repair vehicles.

Support for remote work and cloud computing

Fibre broadband supports higher bandwidths at faster speeds, which are essential for remote work and cloud computing. These technologies reduce the need for physical infrastructure and on-site servers, further minimising e-waste. A study by Carbon Trust found that remote working could reduce carbon emissions by 3 million tonnes annually in the UK, partly due to decreased commuting and office energy use.

On the other hand, cloud computing, enabled by fibre broadband, allows businesses to store data and run applications on remote servers. This decreases the need for local hardware that are prone to obsolescence and contributes to e-waste. It’s also noteworthy to mention that on average, UK SMEs using the Cloud experience an increase in profitability of over 20%. Altogether, adopting cloud-based solutions can lead to reductions in both operational costs and environmental impact.

IT-recycling steps to take before transitioning to fibre

While upgrading to fibre broadband can help lower carbon emissions and reduce e-waste, it’s also crucial for small businesses to responsibly dispose of outdated network equipment. Here are some actionable tips:

Use certified e-waste recyclers

Before switching over to fibre broadband, SMEs must ensure that old routers, modems, and other network equipment are recycled by certified e-waste recyclers. These recyclers follow stringent guidelines to safely dismantle and recycle electronic devices. The UK’s Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE) regulations mandate that businesses must use approved recyclers.

For this, SMEs can check out services by IT Recycle, a leading e-waste and IT equipment recycling company. IT Recycle offers computer, laptop, mobile phone, and tablet recycling, as well as data destruction services for individuals and businesses. Importantly, these IT disposal services are 100% compliant with GDPR and WEEE regulations.

Donate or sell usable equipment

If the equipment is still functional, consider donating it to schools, non-profits, or community centres. This extends the device’s lifespan and reduces waste. Organisations such as the British Heart Foundation, for example, has a programme that accepts unused devices, which they then sell to fund lifesaving research. Alternatively, businesses can sell used equipment on online platforms like eBay or Gumtree, where there is a market for second-hand electronics.

Participate in manufacturer take-back schemes

Many manufacturers and retailers offer take-back programmes for their products. Companies like Cisco, Netgear, and BT provide recycling schemes where businesses can return old equipment for proper disposal. These programmes ensure that devices are recycled responsibly and often provide incentives for participation. Small businesses should check with their equipment manufacturers to see if such programs are available.

As the environmental impact of e-waste continues to grow, small businesses in the UK must take proactive steps to mitigate their contribution to this problem. Fibre broadband presents a sustainable solution by providing energy-efficient, durable, and reliable internet connectivity. Combined with effective e-waste recycling practises, SMEs can reduce their environmental impact and help build a greener, more sustainable future.