Step 7: Consider product lifecycles

When contemplating the environmental impact of the products and services we purchase and use, it’s useful to visualise the entire lifecycle:

  1. Design
  2. Materials
  3. Production
  4. Distribution
  5. Use
  6. Disposal

At every stage there are impacts relating to the materials and energy consumed, emissions and waste created. Everything stems from the design. From the point of view of a purchaser/consumer of a product, those processes around items 1-4 are designated ‘upstream’ and item 6 is ‘downstream’.

By purchasing disposable products we are supporting the downstream process, but by planning ahead and purchasing wisely we are supporting the upstream process. Every dollar spent this way is a vote for the upstream process.

It’s also useful to consider your own company’s products and services in the same way, even if you do not manufacture products. Place yourself in your clients’ shoes and consider what they receive as a product or service from your company.

Steps to create a sustainable IT environment:

Click to follow to separate page:

  1. Conduct an energy audit
  2. Reduce Inventory
  3. Consolidate and Centralise
  4. Curb data centre energy use
  5. Use power saving features on equipment
  6. Reduce other office waste
  7. Consider product life cycles
  8. Implement a sustainable procurement policy
  9. Minimise e-waste