From devices to data centers and AI, experts estimate the entire digital ecosystem currently produces as much carbon as the global airline industry – and warn it could triple by 2050. Every company plays a part, and every company stands to benefit. Globally, 88% view sustainability as a driver of long-term value with measurable ROI. As organizations increase their sustainability investments, e-waste should be a major focus area.
Mobile devices create millions of tons of e-waste. Broken phone? Chuck it. Aged out? Landfill. When improperly discarded, a single device can release up to 1,000 different chemicals into soil, groundwater, and air. It’s one of the fastest growing solid waste streams in the world, and therefore one of the fastest and most effective ways to reduce an organization’s carbon footprint. And with the right solution, Co2 isn’t the only thing you’ll cut down on.
Here’s how Managed Mobility Services (MMS) reduces more than one kind of waste.
Re-using devices instead of disposing them
Up to 80% of a device’s carbon footprint occurs during manufacturing. The chips inside phones, laptops, and tablets, the dozens of different metals and minerals…it all requires a massive amount of manufacturing energy that can be significantly reduced by extending device lifecycles through recovery and re-use.
Here at Tangoe, we’ve seen companies save up to 60% on their mobility costs and 95% of emissions through device re-use. But this requires a lot of moving parts: tracking every device, collecting them from employees, wiping them, and priming them to go back into rotation.
- Device tracking: You can’t reuse what you can’t see. Devices constantly slip through the cracks, pushing teams to purchase new hardware.
- Device collection: This has gotten significantly harder in today’s world of remote and hybrid work. Collecting an employee’s device isn’t as simple as walking down the hall, nor is it simple to get devices back to them.
- Device provisioning: Devices set aside for testing, erasure, and grading often pile up in a backroom. Some otherwise perfect devices might not even be able to leave the premises because they contain sensitive company data.
MMS solutions and support are truly game-changing here.
Teams work from a centralized system of record for every device in their corporate fleet.
What devices exist, who they’re assigned to, where they’re located, their current state – it’s all easily viewable with a click. This single, real-time view is crucial for preventing waste, both financial and environmental, and takes a huge manual task off IT teams’ plates.
Standardized workflows for returns make every device easily recoverable regardless of employee location, plus full compliance with battery shipping regulations where applicable. Here at Tangoe, we provide boxes, multi-packs, and pre-paid labels so employees can get their devices shipped out ASAP. If it’s a device replacement, we can also include return labels.
A dedicated team securely wipes and reconfigures each device returned to a warehouse facility. Leading MMS partners will offer a full range of on-site data erasure options, so no reusable device gets left behind, and they can also maintain a seed stock of devices ready for redeployment at a moment’s notice. Here’s a play-by-play of what this looks like if you’re thinking about a DIY approach – the time savings are immeasurable.
Targeted Reporting
Corporate sustainability reporting is becoming mandatory. In the U.S., California now requires any organization operating in the state earning more than $1B in annual revenues to measure and report their greenhouse gas emissions. The reports are subject to independent audits, and the law allows penalties of up to $500,000 per reporting year.
An MMS platform has sustainability reporting built in. Teams get consistent, reliable reporting on the CO2e, water, and energy impact of their organization’s activities worldwide so they can measure their contribution on a global basis. There’s also customized reporting, depending on the provider. At Tangoe, clients often come to us with specific sustainability reporting requirements, and we work together to ensure they get the insights they need.
It’s also critical to get financial reporting related to sustainability, so you can understand what’s saving money and how much value you’re getting back. An MMS platform like Tangoe One Mobile makes it simple with mobile expense management built in. In addition to comprehensive reporting on your fleet’s environmental impact, you can also get detailed reporting on every device across its lifecycle and what the financial impact is. Zoom in, zoom out, customize reports by roles…it’s all there.
Certified e-Waste Recycling
Not every device can be reused or resold, but recycling needs to be done responsibly through certified partners. Full lifecycle management via MMS means every device is recycled using responsible practices in line with sustainability goals and regulatory requirements. This includes R2-certified recycling facilities, ISO environmental certifications, zero-waste-to-landfill policies, and compliance with environmental and electronic waste regulations.
It’s worth noting that many MMS partners also have buyback programs that let you get money back from older mobile devices, but not every provider offers the same amount back. You’ll want to do some sleuthing to see who delivers the best value. You can learn more about Tangoe’s buyback program here.
Another thing to note is that a lot of teams wait to recycle. Into the dusty backroom devices go, being pulled out once a quarter or even once a year as part of a large resale or recycle batch. As you can imagine, this creates financial, logistical, and data security problems. The value of each device drops every day it sits; teams are stuck managing and tracking them when they have better things to do, and devices may be idle, but any sensitive data on them is still up for grabs by bad actors. An MMS partner solves that by handling devices as soon as they’re no longer needed.
Protect the Environment, Protect Your Budget
MMS means mobility that’s better for the environment and your bottom line. Explore all the capabilities of Tangoe One Mobile.