4 MIN READ

12-3-2024

Eco-Friendly Electronics: How the Tech Industry is Phasing Out Plastic

Alex Schulze , CEO/Co-Founder

Eco-Friendly Electronics: How the Tech Industry is Phasing Out Plastic

The tech industry has long relied on plastics in various stages of production, from manufacturing microchips and semiconductors to packaging products. Plastics have been integral to making electronics smaller, lighter, cheaper, and more energy-efficient. However, this reliance has contributed to increasingly unsustainable practices.

According to WWF's Transparent 2023 report, major tech companies used 7.27 million metric tonnes of plastic in 2022 alone. This not only presents a significant recycling challenge but also contributes to a growing waste crisis. In 2022, global e-waste reached a record 62 million tonnes, a staggering 82% increase from 2010. Yet, less than a quarter (22.3%) of this waste was properly collected and recycled. Recognizing the urgency of the issue, some tech companies are beginning to take action. Along with innovating plastic alternatives, many are setting ambitious sustainability goals, focusing on recyclability and waste reduction.

Embracing Innovation

Tech companies are rising to the challenge of reducing plastic use, with Google setting a strong example. In 2023, Google achieved 99% plastic-free packaging in its consumer electronics. To help others follow suit, they released a comprehensive guide focused on plastic-free packaging design. The guide covers key materials like molded fiber, greyboard, and corrugated paper, offering alternatives for components such as trays, hang tabs, and shrink wrap. It also provides a material library detailing suppliers and grades, along with insights on sustainable materials like bamboo and bagasse pulp. Lenovo is also making strides with fiber-based packaging alternatives. The company has increased its use of bamboo and sugarcane fibers, which are compostable and produce no toxic waste during manufacturing. Since 2019, Lenovo has tested and implemented ocean-bound plastics (OBP) in its packaging, using a 30% OBP blend for its ThinkPad L14 packaging. Lenovo expanded the use of OBP in FY 2024, incorporating it into thermoformed cushions and system bags for select products. The company aims to use 165 metric tons of OBP annually, and now requires at least 70% post-consumer recycled fiber in its corrugated packaging.

Prioritizing Recyclability and Circularity 

Some tech companies are addressing plastic waste by promoting reuse and recyclability. IBM, for instance, reused, resold, or recycled nearly 97% of over 12,000 metric tons of old products and waste in the past year, sending only 2.5% to waste-to-energy processes, and 0.7% to landfills or incineration. Dell, aiming for net-zero carbon emissions by 2050, plans to have 100% of its packaging and 50% of its products made from renewable or recycled materials by 2030. Partnering with NextWave, Dell is working to prevent plastic from reaching waterways by capturing ocean-bound plastics. Katie Green, Dell's Sustainability Strategist, emphasizes the importance of recyclability in their product designs from the outset. For example, Dell’s Latitude 5000 laptop incorporates 21% bioplastic from tall oil, a byproduct of paper production, and 20% reclaimed carbon fiber from the aerospace industry. This cross-industry use of materials extends their life and supports the shift towards a circular economy, where products and materials are reused, refurbished, or recycled to maximize their value.

Minimalist Manufacturing and Packaging

Minimizing packaging size and weight reduces the overall material footprint, but it must be balanced with product protection to avoid the environmental impact of damaged goods. Apple has mastered this balance, creating minimalist packaging that is both durable and waste-reducing. The company is on track to eliminate plastic from all primary and secondary packaging by 2025, transitioning to fiber-based designs across its product lines.

Tech Industry Leading the Way in Sustainability

The tech industry is at a pivotal moment in its sustainability journey. As big tech companies lead the way in reducing plastic use, promoting recyclability, and embracing circularity, they are setting new standards for environmentally conscious manufacturing. These innovations, combined with ambitious goals for plastic reduction and waste management, mark significant progress. However, to truly phase out plastic and mitigate the growing e-waste crisis, the industry must continue to prioritize collaboration and innovation. By rethinking how products are designed, packaged, and recycled, tech companies have the opportunity to drive meaningful change and contribute to a more sustainable future for both the environment and the global economy.