Greenbox CEO calls on the Australian ICT industry to join together to become a solution to Australia’s e-waste problem on World Environment Day
Brisbane, 5 June 2020 – Greenbox, one of Australia’s most trusted ICT asset management companies, has today called for action by all ICT decision makers in Australia to make a conscious change towards our future by participating in ICT hardware repurposing and recycling programs to responsibly manage Australia’s e-waste issue.
ICT equipment that is not managed responsibly can become e-waste once it is no longer needed. Examples of e-waste that are unnecessarily contributing to Australia’s landfill include computers, laptops, monitors, printers, scanners, mobile phones, multi-function devices, copiers and fax machines. 95% of these items can be recycled, however, in Australia, less than 10% of end of life IT equipment is recycled.
“Australians are amongst the highest users of technology and e-waste is one of the fastest growing types of waste in our country,” states Dan Pritchard, CEO of Greenbox. “My challenge to the Technology sector in Australia and to all ICT decision makers in both the private sector and Government, is to ensure they are making informed decisions with their ICT lifecycle management, and to help Australia stop contributing unnecessarily to landfill. Commercially beneficial ICT equipment programs, such as those managed by Greenbox can divert 100% of used equipment away from landfill and more organisations should be benefiting from them.
In Australia, e-waste is produced at up to three times that of normal household waste production even though 95% of IT equipment can be responsibly managed.
Working towards a better future for our businesses and our planet, Greenbox enables organisations to more strongly align to their Corporate Social Responsibility goals, and to ensure that their ICT assets are remarketed, recycled or disposed of sustainably to not cause an environmental impact to our country or others.
Fast facts on e-waste:
- Globally there have been 50 million tonnes of e-waste produced this year alone.
- 700 thousand tonnes of the global waste is created in Australia, which is equal to dumping 1,750 jumbo jets in landfill.
- Globally, up to 80% of e-waste is illegally dumped. E-waste junk yards can leak lead and mercury into the environment and can become dangerously hazardous.
- In third world countries, e-waste is oftentimes burnt, which can cause major side effects to people’s health.
- Greenbox is able repurpose 90% of their customer’s equipment and guarantees to divert 100% of e-waste from landfill.
- Greenbox’s responsible management of ICT equipment diverts the equivalent to 14 jumbo jets from landfill every year.
- 16% of all data breaches occur at disposal. With military grade security protocols Greenbox will prevent this and save you money.
- 75% of businesses lock their surplus computer equipment in storage.
- 88% of the 4 million computers sold each year will end up in landfill Greenbox is able to divert 100% from landfill for their customers.
- Every year Greenbox save over 4 million KGs of CO2 from resale which is equal to 870 fewer cars on the road.
Sources:
- Greenbox Unify – Customer Order System
- The Platform for Accelerating the Circular Economy (PACE) & The E-waste Coalition, 2019. A New Vision for Circular Electronics: Time for a Global Reboot. http://www3.weforum.org/docs/WEF_A_New_Circular_Vision_for_Electronics.pdf [2] News.com.au 2018. War in Waste highlights Australia’s e-waste problem
- Osterman Research 2013
- Andover What is my computer worth white paper 2018
- Clean Up Australia e-Waste Report 2019
- Australian Bureau of Statistics, Solid Waste in Australia 2006
- World Economic Forum Safeguard our Planet 2019
- PWC Global State of Information Security Survey 2015
- HMG and PWC Information Security Breaches Survey 2014
About Greenbox
Greenbox supports leading Australian organisations to manage their IT assets over the full lifecycle, from sourcing and installation, through to data sanitisation and disposal. Today’s big data comes with big responsibilities, and Greenbox is trusted by Australia’s biggest and best. We take full responsibility for IT asset management and data security so you gain maximum benefit from the latest technology, with minimum impact.
Greenbox makes the process seamless: ensuring business continuity, while meeting all responsibilities for risk, accountability, governance, the environment and community. Put simply, we manage the technology lifecycle with minimal disruption, risk and waste, and maximum efficiencies. Visit www.greenbox.com.au for more information, latest news and current job vacancies. #ForOurFuture
This World Environment Day, learn how all living things on Earth are connected in the web of life and how we can act #ForNature
For media enquiries please contact:
Jean Boyd
Head of Marketing
M: 0424 925 459
E: jean.boyd@greenbox.com.au