Recycling programs play a crucial role in making data centers more eco-friendly and are a critical component of a broader sustainability strategy. Not only can repurposing equipment save money, but it could also eliminate unnecessary emissions. Google, for example, has been reusing its data center equipment since 2007, transforming outdated servers and avoiding purchasing more than 300,000 new machines because of the program.
Reducing E-Waste
Data centers are hubs for vast amounts of electronic equipment, including servers, storage devices, networking gear, and cooling systems. Over time, these assets become obsolete, contributing to electronic waste (e-waste). According to a report by the Global E-waste Monitor, the world generated 53.6 million metric tons of e-waste in 2019, and this figure is expected to rise significantly. Recycling these components can mitigate the environmental impact, conserve resources, and enhance energy efficiency.
Data centers generate a significant amount of electronic waste (e-waste) as servers and other equipment reach the end of their operational life. Recycling programs help manage this e-waste responsibly, ensuring that valuable materials are recovered and reused.
Conserving Resources
Recycling programs also help conserve resources by extending the lifespan of IT hardware. Research by Service Express suggests that hardware failure rates remain less than 0.5 percent, even over a 10-15 year lifespan. This suggests that companies could get a much longer usable lifespan from their hardware if they were willing to compromise slightly on having the latest machines.
Promoting Energy Efficiency
Recycling programs contribute to energy efficiency in data centers by promoting the reuse and refurbishment of equipment. Implementing a circular economy strategy and program by recycling materials to extend their life assets, harvesting parts, refurbishing, and recovering valuable and environmentally sensitive materials is another way to make data centers more eco-friendly. By reusing or upgrading servers with newer components, data centers can reduce the need for new equipment, thereby saving energy and reducing their carbon footprint.
IT equipment efficiency can be improved by upgrading to ENERGY STAR-qualified or other premium efficiency products, virtualizing and consolidating servers and data storage equipment.
Encouraging Circular Economy Practices
The concept of a circular economy is becoming increasingly relevant in the data center industry. This involves keeping resources in use for as long as possible, extracting the maximum value from them while in use, and then recovering and regenerating products and materials at the end of their service life. Small to large technology companies are all members of the Circular Electronics Partnership (CEP), which aims to reduce e-waste and increase circular practices amongst electronics companies.
Benefits of Recycling Programs
Energy Conservation: Recycling metals and other materials from electronic devices saves significant amounts of energy compared to producing new materials. For instance, recycling aluminum saves up to 95% of the energy required to produce it from raw materials.
Resource Preservation: Many electronic devices contain precious metals and rare earth elements that are finite and difficult to extract. Recycling allows these materials to be reclaimed and reused, reducing the need for new mining activities.
Reduction of E-waste: Proper recycling programs help prevent hazardous materials in electronics, such as lead and mercury, from contaminating the environment. This is crucial for minimizing the ecological footprint of data centers.
Economic Benefits: Recycling programs can create jobs in the collection, processing, and repurposing of electronic materials. Moreover, the resale of refurbished equipment can provide a revenue stream for companies.
Effective Recycling Practices
Asset Management and Decommissioning: Efficient recycling starts with robust asset management. Companies should track the lifecycle of their equipment and plan for end-of-life decommissioning. This ensures that devices are disposed of properly and recycled when they become obsolete.
Partnerships with Certified Recyclers: Working with certified e-waste recyclers ensures compliance with environmental regulations and standards. Certifications such as R2 (Responsible Recycling) and e-Stewards indicate that a recycler adheres to high standards of environmental and data security practices.
Refurbishing and Reuse: Not all decommissioned equipment is beyond use. Many components can be refurbished and reused, either within the same company or sold to other organizations. This practice extends the lifecycle of devices and reduces waste.
Design for Recycling: Manufacturers can contribute by designing servers and data center equipment that are easier to disassemble and recycle. This includes using fewer hazardous materials and making components more modular.
Innovative Partnerships
The potential of partnerships between owners and vendors in the data center industry is significant, and when closely coupled these collaborations allow data centers to meet the dual challenges of energy reliability and sustainability.
Several leading technology companies have implemented successful recycling programs with their partners:
Google: Google’s data centers are well known for their efficiency, and the company places a strong emphasis on recycling. In 2019, Google reported that 19% of the components used in server upgrades were refurbished inventory. In their recent report in 2024, this has gone up to 34% even as AI development and need has surged. Additionally, the company partners with recyclers to process end-of-life equipment in an environmentally responsible manner.
Apple: Apple’s recycling programs have been promoted as being the best, despite lacking 3rd party oversight or tangible data, through their recycling robot, Daisy. This robot can disassemble 200 iPhones per hour, recovering valuable materials like cobalt and lithium from batteries. Apple’s focus on recycling extends to its small number of data centers, ensuring that obsolete equipment is responsibly processed by their vendors.
Facebook: Facebook has implemented circular economy principles in its data center operations for years. This includes refurbishing servers and components, recycling materials, and using renewable energy sources to power its LEED certified facilities.
By implementing recycling programs and energy efficiency measures, and by forming innovative partnerships, data centers can significantly reduce their carbon footprint and contribute to a more sustainable future.
References
Global E-waste Monitor 2020. United Nations University (UNU), International Telecommunication Union (ITU), and International Solid Waste Association (ISWA). Retrieved from Global E-waste Monitor
Recycling Aluminum: Energy Savings. The Aluminum Association. Retrieved from Aluminum Recycling
R2 Certification. Sustainable Electronics Recycling International (SERI). Retrieved from SERI R2 Certification
Google Environmental Report 2019. Google. Retrieved from Google Environmental Report
