Sustainable Hardware Practices

The soil beneath our feet operates as a massive, high-speed electrical grid. Researchers discovered that bacteria in oxygen-depleted environments survive by "exhaling" excess electrons. These microbes are using highly conductive protein filaments—bacterial nanowires—to transfer this electrical charge. These organic structures conduct electricity at rates rivaling synthetic polymers. A living, biological power grid operates natively across the earth. Engineers are harvesting these biological wires to replace traditional circuitry. This shift completely redefines hardware. The United States landfills over half of its municipal solid waste annually, fueling a massive crisis of toxic e-waste. We are building self-healing bio-electronics to bypass this linear disposal trap. These nanowires are living protein structures. They physically self-assemble and repair themselves when damaged. They do not create toxic waste at the end of their lifecycle. They compost back into the ecosystem. The applications extend far beyond circuitry. We are integrating these biological grids into renewable energy storage and generation. Material scientists are utilizing microbial fuel cells where bacteria feed on organic waste and transmit continuous electrical currents, turning municipal waste streams into active power plants. They are using this exact electron-transfer mechanism to synthesize advanced biofuels, directing the bacteria to convert carbon directly into usable fuel. We are even deploying devices that pull continuous electrical current directly from ambient atmospheric moisture. Engineers recently developed an "Air-gen" device using a thin film of these specific protein nanowires. The film absorbs water vapor from the atmosphere and generates a continuous electrical charge without requiring sunlight or wind. We treat electronics and energy storage as a synthetic, extractive industry. The future of hardware is biological. We are no longer just manufacturing power; we are cultivating it.

Sustainable Electronics: The PCB Revolution You Haven't Heard About The hidden environmental cost in every device you own. Printed circuit boards are silently destroying our planet. Did you know 30% of a smartphone's carbon footprint comes from its printed circuit board? PCBs are in everything electronic - from your TV to your laptop to industrial equipment. But traditional PCB manufacturing: • Uses excessive copper (prices up 5x in 40 years) • Creates toxic chemical waste • Consumes massive amounts of water • Generates significant CO2 emissions This is why manufacturers are missing sustainability targets. Enter Elephantech Inc. - a Japanese startup revolutionizing PCB production with their "pure additive" method: 1. They print copper nanoparticle ink directly onto substrates 2. No removal process means 70% less copper used 3. Water usage reduced by 95% 4. Carbon footprint cut by 75% 5. No toxic chemical processes The results are remarkable: → Fully certified PCBs meeting all industry standards → Mass production already happening in Japan → Partnerships with global brands like Logitech → Applications across smartphones, laptops, TVs, and automotive What makes this possible? Their integrated approach. Unlike competitors who focus on just one element, Elephant Tech developed everything in-house: • Nanoparticle synthesis • Metal ink formulation • Inkjet printing technology • Equipment manufacturing The environmental crisis isn't waiting. Neither should we. With copper prices rising and environmental regulations tightening, conventional PCBs will soon become unsustainable both environmentally AND economically. The technology for greener electronics exists today. Follow Climate Hive for more insights on sustainable technology innovations that are reshaping our future. #greenelectronics #sustainableinnovation #waterreduction

Don't reduce the carbon footprint of your products without understanding all the possible trade-offs. You could end up increasing your environmental impact instead. Here are 3 things to consider when designing sustainable sound experiences: ⚠ Lowest footprint ≠ Winning concept Successful circular products don’t have the lowest environmental burden by default. Modularity is considered a circular design practice, but it also contributes to increased carbon footprint and depletion of materials (mostly gold, beryllium, and neodymium). A modular product containing electronics has roughly 10% higher impact for both GWP and ADP. 🛠 UX plays a core role as much as CMF and ID Functionalities and usability have their footprint: removing a battery from earpods charging case and using the smartphone battery instead decrease hardware volume and materials footprint (-25%) . The same works for magnets: fashionable to have an earpod snapping to the charging case, until you realize that 1/3 of the overall material impact is due to neodymium. 🔄 Trade-offs are inevitable It is better to design for one core circular principle than having a concept that mediocrely covers all of them. A concept can successfully be repairable and fit a circular ecosystem, but it will hardly be repairable, modular, recyclable, refurbishable, low-carbon, low-resource, long-lasting, energy-efficient, biodegradable, compostable and fit a circular ecosystem. Sustainable design isn’t about ticking every box. It’s about making informed choices that truly minimize impact. ➡What’s your take? Which design principle would you prioritize for a truly circular product? Drop your thoughts below and let’s discuss! #sustainabledesign

Operating our data centers more sustainably means being thoughtful about every step - including the materials we use for things like circuit boards and hardware devices. Copper is one of those essential materials, and now there’s a way to source it that supports our goal of The Climate Pledge. Amazon Web Services (AWS) is the first buyer of copper produced from Rio Tinto's innovative Nuton technology. It's a breakthrough process that uses microorganisms - or "bioleaching" - to extract copper from sulfide ores (which are traditionally hard to process and often become waste). Why does that make a difference?   It removes the need for traditional concentrators, smelters, and refineries. The process uses up to 80% less water usage than traditional mining methods. It also has a carbon footprint well below the global average. It significantly shortens the mine-to-market supply chain.   This innovation is another example that solutions exist, and forward momentum continues. Amazon is working across our entire value chain - from steel and concrete to copper - to source materials differently, and I'm thrilled to see AWS leading the industry in the right direction! Learn more about our work on copper in this The Wall Street Journal article by Ryan Dezember: https://lnkd.in/g9AgshDn  

What happens to Google’s hardware when its 'first life' in the data center is over? ⚙️ A decade ago, we began imagining a system that allows our decommissioned servers to get a second life. Today, that vision is a global reality: In 2024 alone, we successfully recovered 8.8 million components from our data centers, including over 3 million hard drives. Through reusing, repairing, or recycling hardware, we can reduce material costs and associated carbon emissions for data centers. We've learned a lot along the way, and we're proud to share our insights in a new report. Check out our "Bridging the Gap" analysis and share it with colleagues who are working to advance operational circularity: goo.gle/3O8dlIG

Quick sustainability win of the week: Start tracking peripheral purchases. You’d be amazed how few organisations do this! We've just wrapped up a review across five large orgs (each with 25,000+ employees). Every single one had the same approach with new starters: onboarding kits were given by default, including a keyboard, power blocks, mouse, headset, docking station, cables, bag, plus sometimes even phone cases. And in every case, 50 to 70% of that kit went unused. Straight into drawers, or binned after a year and straight to landfill. Often because the gear was cheap or the user already had better. There was nearly always also a constant churn of replacement accessories being ordered via internal "shops" with very little oversight. New chargers, random adapters, yet another headset. One organisation was spending over $5 million a year on peripherals alone. That’s $5 million in Scope 3 emissions and plastic waste that is totally invisible, unmanaged, and unnoticed. This isn't procurements fault, they are only following a plan, it’s actually more of a cultural and process issue. TBH, if we’re actually serious about doing something positive with sustainability, this kind of waste has to go. I'd personally recommend a simple approach like: 1) Ditch the onboarding kits, just ask what people actually need. 2) Track peripherals separately from core assets. 3) Introduce a reuse-before-rebuy policy (refurb stuff is awesome). 4) Audit what’s in stock before raising a new PO. Small fix. Big impact. Less plastic, less carbon, less water usage, more $$$$ saved. 😃

AIRA: SCALING HEAT PUMPS RESPONSIBLY - A Call for Sustainable Practices The news surrounding Aira, the Swedish company aiming to become a leading heat pump installer, has sparked considerable discussion. While their ambition to rapidly scale heat pump adoption across Europe is commendable a questions arise about the sustainability of their chosen installation methods. It's no secret that manufacturing processes carry an environmental footprint. In the plumbing and heating industry, this is particularly evident in the production of pipe fittings, often forged in energy-intensive furnaces across Europe. Here in the UK, our industry has a long-standing tradition of working with materials efficiently, a practice deeply ingrained in the training of our skilled plumbers. For decades, UK apprentices have been taught the art of bending copper pipe, specifically the commonly used R250 (Table X). This allows for pipework configurations such as 90-degree bends, offsets, and passovers. Achieved using hand-held benders. Alongside this practical skill, environmental awareness and material conservation are core tenets of their training. This brings me to a critical point: why is AIRA seemingly bypassing this established and sustainable practice by exclusively relying on fittings? Reports suggest their training focuses on rapid installation, potentially at the expense of teaching pipe bending skills. While speed is undoubtedly a factor in scaling, the long-term environmental implications of this approach cannot be ignored. As AIRA aims for widespread adoption across Europe, the sheer volume of fittings they will require is staggering. This translates to a significant and potentially unnecessary carbon footprint from the increased activity in those very forges we mentioned. The plumbing and heating industry has a proud history of self-regulation and a willingness to call out unsustainable practices, a tradition dating back to the medieval Guilds. It's in this spirit that I urge AIRA to reconsider their approach and embrace the established, environmentally conscious methods prevalent in markets like the UK. Our European counterparts' ambition to scale heat pump installations is laudable. However, true sustainability lies not just in the end product, but also in the processes used to achieve it. By integrating pipe bending into their training and practices, AIRA can not only reduce their environmental impact but also cultivate a workforce equipped with valuable, time-honored skills. Let's work together to forge a future where the growth of green technologies is underpinned by genuinely sustainable practices. AIRA has the potential to be a true leader in this transition; listening and adapting to established best practices will be key to realising that potential responsibly. Michael Costain Guy Newey Dr Matthew Aylott Madeleine Gabriel Joe Dart #sustainability #heatpumps #plumbing #environmentalawareness #greenenergy #UK #Europe #skills

Sustainability isn’t a coat of paint. It’s part of the blueprint. In digital health transformation, “green” has moved from a nice-to-have to a core part of responsible change. And lately, it’s a recurring topic in many meeting rooms. Ignoring sustainability in transformation isn’t just bad for the planet, it exposes organizations to rising energy costs, regulatory penalties, and reputational risk. Every transformation decision, from strategy to procurement, deployment to retirement, carries an environmental footprint. Treating sustainability as an afterthought leads to waste: 🔸 Systems overbuilt for prestige rather than need 🔸 Infrastructure running far below capacity 🔸 Devices replaced on schedule, not condition I’ve seen entire racks of perfectly good hardware decommissioned, not because they failed, but because refresh cycles didn’t account for reuse or repurposing. It’s a reminder that sustainability isn’t always obvious at first glance. In one study comparing two T-shirts: 🔹 The one labelled as “sustainably produced” wore out quickly, requiring multiple replacements. 🔹 The other, not marketed as green, lasted far longer, and over its full lifecycle, had a smaller environmental footprint. Digital transformation works the same way. True sustainability comes from durability, efficiency, and total lifecycle impact, not just how “green” it looks at launch. Embedding sustainability means building it into every phase of transformation: 1️⃣ Strategy & design Set sustainability goals alongside clinical and operational goals.  Select cloud providers with renewable energy commitments. 2️⃣ Build & deploy Use modular architectures to extend system life.  Prioritize energy-efficient code, devices, and configurations. 3️⃣ Operate & maintain Monitor resource usage, consolidate storage, and optimize workloads for off-peak energy demand. 4️⃣ Retire & replace Plan for secure decommissioning, refurbishment, and recycling from the outset. Before approving your next transformation initiative, run it through the "Green Lens": ✅ Can we meet the need with fewer resources? ✅ Can this run on renewable-powered infrastructure? ✅ Can we extend the life of what we already have? If the answer is “no” across the board, you don’t have a sustainable transformation plan. If you’re leading digital transformation today, are you building it for the next launch… or the next generation? 💡This post is part of 'Rethinking Digital Health Innovation' (RDHI), empowering professionals to transform digital health beyond IT and AI myths. 💡The ongoing series and additional resources are available at www•enabler•xyz 💡Repost if this message resonates with you!

As AI adoption increases across devices, what impact can we expect from this growing usage? How do our choices—models, frameworks, hardware—affect energy efficiency and carbon footprint? GREENSPECTOR’s latest research offers some surprising insights into the real-world energy costs of running text-based AI models locally. Whether you’re deploying on a smartphone, laptop, or edge device, these findings highlight the importance of designing with sustainability in mind. Here are some of the key takeaways that should matter to every developer, product manager, and AI decision-maker: ✔️ Carbon impact can vary 18× — just based on model, framework, and backend. Not all AI implementations are equal. The tools you choose can dramatically affect your footprint. ✔️ Smaller models = smaller footprint. Using models with fewer parameters can significantly reduce energy usage—without always sacrificing usefulness. ✔️ Hardware acceleration helps—but has trade-offs. Using GPUs or TPUs can reduce energy use by 3.8× and cut response times by nearly 40%, but also risks driving up hardware renewal. Balance matters. ✔️ Streaming text output increases energy use. Even UX choices like progressive text display (streaming) can raise energy consumption by up to 12%. ✔️ Assumptions ≠ reality. Measurement is essential. Actual energy impact can be 5× lower than general estimates—if you measure properly. 💡 Sustainability in AI isn’t just about the data center anymore. Local deployments—on phones, laptops, or edge devices—come with real, measurable environmental trade-offs. Take a deeper dive in the research : https://lnkd.in/eTf9f6GE 🙌 Timothé GRATUZE

Imagine cycling through the windmill-dotted Netherlands in 2074. Instead of a phone, you have an AR visor feeding information directly to your vision. Sounds futuristic! However, this thought experiment explores #ewaste challenges in a Dutch context. Gadget Overload: A Growing Problem A Dutch child born in 2024 faces a world overflowing with electronics. The WEEE Forum reports the Netherlands generated over 21 kg of e-waste per capita in 2022 – that's a full backpack of waste per person, annually! Circular Economy: A Dutch Blueprint? The Netherlands champions the circular economy, where products are reused, repaired, and recycled. Imagine applying this extensively to electronics! Dutch companies could lead in designing highly repairable devices, keeping them out of landfills longer. #greenit #circulareconomy 100% Recycling: Dream or Reality? While eliminating e-waste is attractive, true 100% recycling is complex. Current methods struggle with intricate devices and hazardous materials. However, the Netherlands boasts some of Europe's highest e-waste collection rates, suggesting they might be on the right track. Software to the Rescue: Extending Hardware Lifespan Imagine cloud-based software developed by Dutch startups that allows powerful applications to run on less resource-intensive devices. This "cloud-native" approach could extend the lifespan of laptops and smartphones, reducing the need for frequent upgrades and their e-waste burden. #greensoftware #cloudnative 3 Ideas for a Sustainable Future: Right to Repair 2.0: Imagine legislation mandating all electronics in the Netherlands be modular, with readily available refurbished parts for user repairs. This would significantly extend the device's life. Green AI for Predictive Maintenance: Forget traditional AI! Imagine "Green AI" powered by efficient models analyzing sensor data within your device. This green AI could predict component failures before they happen, allowing preventative maintenance and extending device longevity. Subscription Services with Green AI Optimization: Imagine Dutch tech companies offering subscription services for high-powered devices like gaming consoles or VR headsets. This model incentivizes manufacturers to design for longevity and reusability. Additionally, green AI could optimize device performance, reducing energy consumption and minimizing replacements. This glimpse into the future of e-waste in the Netherlands highlights the need for innovation, embracing circular economy principles, and promoting responsible consumerism. By working together, we can create a world where technology thrives alongside a healthy planet. Remember, this is a thought experiment! The future is unwritten, and it's up to us to shape it. Let's keep the conversation going! Share your thoughts and ideas for a more #sustainablefuture of electronics in the comments below. #sustainability #footprint #impact