Modern technology enables businesses to send and receive emails, run social media campaigns, and engage with global customers on various platforms.
As various aspects of life depend on advanced technology, the impact on the planet is undervalued. However, what happens when these activities come to an end? What happens to the information that has been gathered throughout the years? The outcome is Digital Waste.
Scroll down to learn more about digital waste.
What Is Digital Waste?
Digital waste is the digital footprint’s significant contribution to global carbon emissions. This digital waste comes from the collection, processing, idle, or use of data. As new technologies and data storage solutions emerge, poor data management can lead to environmental issues. The key driving forces of energy consumption are the top data-driven infrastructures, such as Google, Microsoft, and Amazon, which offer cloud-based services.
Moreover, digital engagements, from sending emails to streaming videos, are a significant source of waste. The energy required for just one internet search results in 0.2 grams of carbon emissions. 0.2 grams of carbon are released into the atmosphere for a single internet search. It may not seem like much, but if 100 employees in an office search 50 phrases every day, 250 kilograms of carbon will be produced annually. Similarly, it takes as much carbon dioxide to train a single AI program as five cars would emit throughout their lifetimes.
7 Ways to Reduce Digital Waste
Embrace The Cloud
Go green to grow your business! Use virtualization and cloud computing to incorporate sustainability into your technological operations. Reduce your carbon footprint, reduce energy use, and scale your business effectively. Cloud providers supply renewable energy-powered data centres. Adopt the cloud, reduce expenses, and have a beneficial influence.
Reduce ‘Dark’ Data
Implementing processes to reduce “dark” data, or data that is never used, can help IT organizations operate more sustainably. The process will need a reassessment of data governance policies regarding data retention and archiving, along with the implementation of automated systems for identifying and preserving dark data.
Unplug devices
All gadgets should be unplugged while the power is off to prevent energy waste. When plugged in, computers continue to consume 0.5-2 watts of energy.
Reduce streaming content
When you choose to download, the data is only downloaded from the server once, but streaming content can have a significant impact.
Follow Green Computing Practices
Green computing is a key factor in integrating sustainability into tech procedures. The process involves:
- Optimizing data centres.
- Implementing cloud computing.
- Responsibly managing e-waste.
- Providing sustainable employee training.
Clean Up Unnecessary Code
Many companies offer software that is filled with spaghetti or unnecessary code. First, examine what you produce and how much needs to be cleaned up, then conduct an audit of your vendors to ensure that you are not wasting resources by running unnecessary code.
Establish Internal Equipment Recycling
Companies may be able to reuse or repurpose equipment that would otherwise go unused or wind up in landfills with the help of an internal marketplace or freecycle website.It is so easy to buy something online, and receiving it delivered the next day is undeniable.
However, reusing previously purchased equipment helps the environment by freeing up space in landfills and contributes to a cleaner and healthier environment.
