{"id":70693,"date":"2021-01-29T11:00:00","date_gmt":"2021-01-29T17:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/eshop.macsales.com\/blog\/?p=70693"},"modified":"2021-04-01T08:41:09","modified_gmt":"2021-04-01T13:41:09","slug":"combating-climate-change-through-sustainable-technology","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/eshop.macsales.com\/blog\/70693-combating-climate-change-through-sustainable-technology\/","title":{"rendered":"Combating Climate Change Through Sustainable Technology"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
\"globe<\/a><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Welcome to the dystopia that is the earth in 2021. It’s hard to talk about global climate without resorting to the words Alice used in Wonderland: “curiouser and curiouser.” Murder hornets, unprecedented wildfires, snake-infested seafoam, and coastal erosion are just a few of the environmental highlights we’ve been privy to recently.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

And the proposed remedy for climate change? Bill Gates is trying to spray millions of tons<\/a> of fine calcium carbonate dust into the atmosphere\u2026 so, I guess that’s an option. Alternatively, product manufacturers are being called upon to create more sustainable supply chains. This is particularly true within the technology sector, which, in 2019, produced over 6.9 million metric tons<\/a> of waste in the U.S. alone.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Alright, it’s name drop time…<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Compare the average 20 percent<\/a> of global e-waste collected and recycled today to OWC’s current recycling rate: a whopping 97 percent<\/strong><\/em> of its solid waste materials. Now let’s take a look at two areas where OWC is an industry leader in sustainable technology production.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n\n\n\n

The Call for Overhaul<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"old<\/a><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

During coronavirus lockdowns, we experienced interconnectedness firsthand \u2013 we saw how a virus from a wet market on the other side of the world could decimate the U.S. workforce. We began to review the global impact of what and how we consume. And we refocused on making sustainable purchasing decisions; technology and fashion consumption were brought to the forefront.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

We’re at a point where the average American household owns 24 electronic devices. Global e-waste, or waste from discarded electronics, exceeded an estimated 50 million tons<\/a> in 2020. But a systemic change in the technology production process often requires a total back-of-house overhaul. This doesn’t come cheap.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n\n\n\n

Refining the Production Process<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Sustainable production processes start with a company’s headquarters. Always a gamechanger, OWC was building sustainably before sustainability was cool. It was the first manufacturer and distributor in the U.S. to become 100 percent<\/a> on-site wind-powered. The company headquarters in Woodstock, Illinois, utilizes a geothermal heating and cooling system. OWC harnesses solar power at its Woodstock and Austin, Texas locations, and it’s one of the largest privately-owned solar arrays in Illinois. Its headquarters is also LEED\u00ae Platinum Certified, meaning it actually generates more power than it consumes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n

Remember that bit about sustainability overhauls not coming cheap? OWC has invested more than $3 million<\/strong> to implement alternative renewable energy platforms. The company strategically weighs new energy-saving and waste reduction methods. Yes, innovations such as wind turbines and solar arrays require a significant upfront investment, but over time they create significant savings that are then passed on to customers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/a>
Wind Turbine at OWC Headquarters in Woodstock, IL<\/em><\/strong><\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n
\n\n\n\n

Packaging Waste Reduction<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

When it comes to packaging waste reduction, most American distributors are coming up short. In the U.S., only about 28 percent<\/a> of packaging and food-service plastics are recycled. But a whopping 94 percent<\/a> of materials used at OWC are recycled in some manner. OWC rigorously tests its products to determine the smallest possible packaging size<\/strong> that can be used for each product while still passing drop-tests.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"package<\/a>
94% of packaging materials at OWC are recycled<\/em><\/strong><\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

OWC believes that sustainable practices make good economic sense. Using less and smaller packaging, for instance, makes product transport more efficient. Reduced packaging helps the company save on fuel costs, reduces carbon emissions and waste, and increases shipping efficiency. OWC\u2019s research in packaging reduction helps customers save<\/strong>, as well, as they pay less for shipping \u2013 international customers in particular benefit from this, as they often pay for shipping based on dimensional weight.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A little strategic thinking goes a long way in achieving supply chain sustainability. But few technology companies share OWC’s obsession with emissions and packaging reduction. It’s this obsession that helps the company identify innovative cost-saving solutions, making OWC a leader in environmental stewardship and the one to emulate for tech companies in search of creative waste reduction strategies.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n

\n\n\n\n