ICT leads the way toward a more sustainable tech future

Professionals in the information and communications technology industry urge an environmentally conscious approach to their field.

Free ICT Europe is celebrating its 10th anniversary by calling on policymakers to support Right to Repair as a first step on the path toward building an open market and environmentally friendly practices in the information and communication technology arena.

The United Nations says that 61.3 million metric tons of electric waste was added to the planet as a whole in 2023. That’s more than the Great Wall of China weighs.

Landfills are overflowing with discarded information and communication technology (ICT) equipment, and more is being generated every day. Unfortunately, core tech systems are often being replaced while they still have a lot of utility left. With the right maintenance, most legacy systems can run for years.

It’s time to look past rip-and-replace and move toward extending current functionality to promote a more environmentally conscious approach to technology, which will not only save money, but also will reduce the amount of corporate e-waste.

The Circular Economy

Free ICT Europe works to “secure the right of ownership and the freedom for consumers and businesses alike to freely choose their providers to trade, maintain, and repair,” according to their website.

They advocate for purchasing less new tech and using the systems we already have longer by championing the Right to Repair and a circular economy, which the organization believes “charts a roadmap from an economy reliant on extending product life, as well as extracting and using raw materials, to one based on regenerative production, reduced waste, and skills development.”

This shift comes with the possibility of adding new jobs in industries such as repair/maintenance, refurbishment, and recycling across all business sectors.

“We believe that by implementing these measures, we can create a more sustainable and equitable ICT industry that benefits both users, providers, and the environment,” says Jan Hoogstrate, Executive Director of Free ICT Europe. “It’s time to make the circular economy and reduction of resources a reality.”

Key Recommendations

FREE ICT’s report, “Make the Right to Repair Really Work: Promote Sustainable ICT Products and Services,” outlines several principles the organization thinks will ensure a more equitable and environmentally friendly ICT landscape. They include:

• Prohibiting restrictions on independent repair and maintenance
• Expanding the Right to Repair Directive to encompass both public and private sectors, with a focus on B2B IT products
• Implementing green public procurement policies to prioritize used/refurbished products and support local providers
• Extending the Ecodesign for Sustainable Products Regulation (ESPR) to both networking equipment and software, addressing licensing models and transfers
• Establishing standards for software licensing, maintenance, and refurbishment
• Establishing an easy process for SMEs to file complaints about unfair manufacturer practices

“Aggressive profit-optimization practices are not only a threat to fair competition and affecting customers, but also a serious problem for the environment,” says Tomás O’Leary, President of Free ICT Europe and Origina Chief Executive Officer and Founder. “Legislators need to step in with protective measurements.”

How can the Right to Repair affect your IT roadmap? Watch our on-demand webinar.