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The manufacturing sector is rarely associated with sustainability best practices, and arguably for good reason.
A recent study from IPCC found manufacturers account for 30% of global greenhouse gas emissions.
Many still all too often make products without a plan for what happens when they reach end of life.
From a technology hardware perspective, electronics no longer in use are far too often thrown away.
According to IDC, the Global DataSphere is expected to generate 291ZB ofdatain 2027.
Of course, data and intellectual property must be protected and adhere to global data privacy laws.
Businesses should not preclude safe data deletion.
Many hard drives now have built-inencryptionand erase capabilities, which means data can be digitally wiped through data sanitization.
Executive Vice President and Chief Commercial Officer, Seagate.
This is driven partly by growing recognition of dwindling finite resources and materials.
Lets take the automotive sector as an example.
Toyota has been a pioneer and proponent of circularity for many years.
It is incorporated into the design of all its vehicles.
Automatic transmissions are reconditioned and reused, as well as the water used in the manufacturing process.
Parts from hybrid powertrains are recycled and fuel cell stacks are transformed into power generators.
They can use methods to boost water recycling for cooling, whilst decreasing water intensity.
They can also apply more energy-efficient measures in the manufacturing process by driving down power consumption.
Stakeholder collaboration
Tackling the challenge of the e-waste mountain cannot be done alone.
It requirescollaborationwith diverse stakeholders, including manufacturers, customers and industry partners.
Everyone has a part to play throughout the entire value chain.
And its not just good for the environment, it makes good business sense too.
The circular economy creates innovative ways for companies to increase their profitability by maximizing underutilized assets and capabilities.
Come full circle
The way to curb e-waste is through circularity.
But it also creates financial savings and increases business value.
Sustainability and profitability need not be mutually exclusive.
Its time to conquer the e-waste mountain through more sustainable manufacturing.
For the good of people, the planet and prosperity.
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