Photo credit: www.entrepreneur.com
As Earth Day arrives, it serves as a timely reminder for small and medium-sized businesses (SMBs) to reassess their approach to Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) practices, particularly in relation to the technology they adopt. Representing about 90% of businesses globally, SMBs are significant players in the economy and contribute to around 60-70% of global industrial emissions. This considerable environmental footprint positions SMBs to enact meaningful changes.
The anticipated growth of electronic waste, expected to hit 82 million tonnes by 2030, coupled with the rising demand for AI-fueled computing, presents both an opportunity and a duty for SMBs to champion energy efficiency and sustainability. By prioritizing durable materials and ethical sourcing practices, these businesses can significantly curtail e-waste, mitigate their environmental impact, and pave the way for a more sustainable digital future.
Here are actionable steps for small businesses to make a lasting impact — one informed decision at a time.
Related: 6 Ways to Profitably Integrate Eco-Friendly Practices into Your Business
Reduce energy expenses with AI — without compromising performance
Many SMBs encounter challenges such as constrained resources and the initial investments associated with adopting sustainable technologies. However, innovations are creating pathways to overcome these barriers.
The advent of AI-enhanced computing enables businesses to support their ESG goals through optimized energy consumption. Current AI-driven laptops, for instance, utilize intelligent algorithms to adjust power usage based on the task at hand, ensuring systems operate more efficiently and avoid unnecessary power draw. A striking 89% of SMBs are already leveraging AI tools for task automation, highlighting a dual benefit: time savings and a reduction in energy and resource waste across various workflows.
Apart from user devices, AI contributes to heightened efficiency within infrastructure. AI-driven enterprise solutions enable data centers to manage workloads more effectively, thus conserving energy. As edge computing anticipates an annual growth of nearly 37% until 2030, there’s a focus on local processing that minimizes high-energy data transfers. Furthermore, enhancements in liquid cooling and airflow design promote device longevity and foster circular IT practices. Manufacturers are also making strides with plastic-free packaging and energy-efficient designs, aligning technological advancement with progressive sustainability objectives.
By incorporating AI into energy and infrastructure management, businesses can access more resources to enhance efficiency and minimize waste.
Related: How AI Is Leveling the Playing Field For Small Businesses to Compete With Industry Giants
Embrace circular economy initiatives
Sustainability encompasses not only the utilization of technology but also its production, usage, and reuse. For SMBs, adopting circular economy practices can significantly elevate resource efficiency while lowering both costs and environmental impact.
Investing in technology that utilizes recycled materials is a straightforward yet effective way to begin. Opting for laptops and desktops crafted from post-consumer content (PCC) plastics or recycled metals reduces dependency on virgin resources and promotes responsible sourcing. By 2025, many Fortune 500 companies are expected to publicly commit to climate-related initiatives, with reports indicating that 78% have established climate commitments, although only a small fraction have set goals related to biodiversity. This disparity offers both a challenge and an opportunity for smaller businesses to lead by setting an example in sustainability.
In addition to PCC plastics, certain technology products now incorporate ocean-bound plastics (OBP), collected from perilous waterways. By selecting devices made from OBP, SMBs can contribute to combating marine pollution while reducing reliance on fresh plastic supplies. Choosing sustainable design elements like these fosters the establishment of responsible technology ecosystems.
Furthermore, embracing modular and repairable technology is crucial. Devices designed for easier upgrades or repairs can extend their lifespan and diminish the need for premature replacements. Given that less than 12% of e-waste is presently recycled while a significant portion is incinerated, durability and repairability have never been more vital.
SMBs can also explore buy-back, refurbishment, and take-back initiatives to retain tech in circulation longer. Such approaches not only alleviate landfill pressures but can also result in financial savings and advantages.
Related: 5 Trends Small Business Owners Need to Watch in 2025
A sustainable future begins with informed choices
Small and medium-sized businesses possess a distinctive opportunity to shape a more sustainable future. By adopting energy-efficient technologies, utilizing artificial intelligence to refine operations, and embracing circular economy practices, these organizations can significantly lessen their environmental impact while improving operational efficiency. These choices not only advance global sustainability efforts but also enhance the competitiveness of SMBs in a market increasingly influenced by eco-consciousness.
This Earth Month, let’s recommit to making smarter, greener, and more responsible technology choices — ensuring that the evolution of computing is both sustainable and innovative.
The journey toward sustainability starts now. How will your business take the lead?
Source
www.entrepreneur.com