Why SMBs Should Adopt Eco-Designed Technology

Jeni_Odley

Incorporating eco-friendly practices into our daily lives helps preserve the planet for future generations. By going green, we can consciously reduce our carbon emissions, produce less waste, and create a more pleasant living environment. More and more businesses are implementing environmentally friendly practices and initiatives to protect our planet. Eco-designed technology is a way for Small and Medium Sized Businesses (SMBs) to get ahead and reduce their environmental impact. By analyzing designs and manufacturing processes as a whole, companies can make more informed decisions that benefit the planet. Eco-friendly design is a conscious effort to boost product performance over its entire lifecycle to reduce e-waste. Acer has introduced its range of eco-friendly Vero products to create a more sustainable future. 

The rise of eco-designed technology

Eco-design is not a cure but rather a preventative approach to help preserve our planet and its precious resources. Human activity has an inherent impact on our planet, and there is no such thing as a truly eco-friendly product. However, companies can take steps to reduce the ways their practices hurt our environment. Sustainability in technology includes reducing industrial emissions, recycling efforts, and turning to solar methods of energy production. Moreover, tech products can harm the environment as they become obsolete and thrown away. The World Health Organization (WHO) estimates a staggering 53.6 million tonnes of e-waste is produced yearly.

Tracking their carbon footprint is a positive starting point for businesses to embrace eco-friendly technology. Doing so allows companies to take responsibility and observe reductions in carbon emissions. Eco-designed technology includes optimizing processes to reduce energy consumption, using recycled materials, and adopting sustainable manufacturing processes.

Why SMBs should care about eco-designed technology

1. Environmental impact

Carbon emissions are a major contributing factor to climate change and its devastating impact on the environment. Some common culprits of excessive carbon emissions could be energy use, transportation, the overall supply chain, and waste disposal options. Adopting eco-designed technology can reduce an SMB's carbon footprint. By setting measurable targets and milestones, SMBs can monitor their efforts toward creating more eco-designed technology.

2. Cost-effectiveness

Switching to energy-efficient devices can lead to long-term cost reductions for SMBs. For example, using renewable energy sources can reduce utility bills while helping the planet. The US Department of Energy (DoE) estimates that the average American could be wasting between US $200 and $400 each year through outdated heating and cooling systems. By optimizing these systems, businesses can enhance the cost-effectiveness of their practices. 

3. Brand image and customer appeal

As the world becomes more eco-conscious, consumers are attracted to companies that prioritize the environment and are even willing to pay more for environmentally friendly products. By implementing eco-friendly measures, companies can show consumers they are serious about reducing their carbon footprints. This can help boost their brand image and overall reputation as an environmentally conscious brand that wants to make a difference. However, brands should be transparent about their endeavors and publish milestones, targets, and results to avoid accusations of greenwashing. 

4. Implementing eco-designed technology in SMBs

Eco-designed technology focuses on three main aspects: materials, energy, and pollution or waste. SMBs should first analyze their current list of materials and reduce their use of potentially toxic substances. In doing so, they should also request material lists from their external suppliers. Next, SMBs can find eco-friendly materials to replace old or toxic ones. Although finding new suppliers or changing orders with existing suppliers can be challenging, it will bring the possibility of reducing harmful or toxic materials. This will also provide opportunities for SMBs to position themselves as an eco-friendly brand.

SMBs should also examine their energy consumption and consider green energy or renewable resources as an alternative. Moreover, they can also use solar energy to power manufacturing processes and find ways to reduce water consumption. Although this may involve high initial costs, it may provide cost benefits in the long run. 

Finally, switching to sustainable materials that are biodegradable or compostable limits the environmental impact of unused packaging. SMBs can also consider redesigning products to be reusable or introducing multipacks to reduce waste. Using recyclable materials at the product design stage also helps to reduce the amount of waste sent to landfills. This promotes a so-called circular economy by creating products for reuse, recycling, and repair instead of trash.

Spotlight on Acer Vero products

Acer Vero is Acer’s eco-friendly product range that prioritizes sustainability. Vero laptops are made with 30% less CO2 emissions through the adoption of recycled plastics. The devices are made with 40% Post-Consumer Recycled (PCR) plastics on the chassis and 50% on adapter casings, without compromising durability. Acer’s eco-conscious efforts have prevented 30+ tons of waste, or the equivalent of 96,000 water cooler jugs, from ending up in landfills.

Built with 35% PCR plastics and 100% recyclable packaging, Acer Vero V7 computer monitors are designed with sustainability in mind. The monitors are packed with outstanding 4K ultra-high definition resolution, enhancing visuals for a more intense user experience.

In addition, the Acer Connect Vero W6m is an eco-friendly Wi-Fi 6E mesh router that connects devices with ease. Boasting speeds of up to 7.8 Gbps, the Acer Connect Vero W6m provides an upgraded Wi-Fi network while fulfilling eco-friendly aspirations. The devices are designed to support sustainability goals, with a 30% PCR case and packed in 100% recyclable packaging. The Acer Connect Vero W6m provides a network range of 465 sqm with a dual mesh system or 700 sqm with a triple mesh system, offering reliable internet around the home.

Acer’s commitment to the environment is clear. Paving the way to a brighter tomorrow, Acer’s Earthion initiative helps tackle our generation's environmental challenges with real solutions and collaborative action. Acer is fully committed to achieving net-zero emissions by 2050 and will source 100% renewable energy by 2035.

Acer is also fully focused on innovative product design, chemical substance management in manufacturing processes, and using renewable energy sources. Furthermore, Acer actively pursues low-carbon practices by implementing sustainable strategies that limit the environmental impact of manufacturing.

The future of eco-designed technology

In the future, smartphone and other tech companies may create a sustainable alternative to current devices that include harmful materials such as lead and mercury. They may also choose to include Post-Consumer Recycled Plastics (PCR) in their designs to ensure a longer product lifespan. Shifting their focus to social responsibility helps smartphone and tech manufacturers ensure a greener future for themselves and their consumers. To prepare for an eco-friendly future, SMBs should embrace sustainability and implement environment-focused goals.

Conclusion

Eco-designed technology will not fix the environment, but it will contribute to a more comfortable world for future generations. By adopting eco-designed technology, SMBs can reduce carbon emissions while creating environmentally friendly products that attract consumers. Analyzing and optimizing business and manufacturing can also help SMBs enhance cost effectiveness on outdated practices that were losing money. Acer is committed to making the world a better place and has implemented various eco-friendly initiatives like the Vero series as a token of commitment to the earth’s health. By utilizing PCR plastics and recyclable packaging, Acer hopes to inspire consumers to make conscious choices when purchasing technology.