Nordic Computer Contributes to the UN SDGs

How do we contribute to the Goal 9?

Third Party Maintenance

Our third party maintenance (TPM) can help to prolong the use of data center hardware when it is at the end of service life (EOSL), i.e., no longer supported by the original manufacturer. Data center hardware can function effectively for 10 or even 15 years; therefore, buying new equipment when the existing one is at the EOSL has an unnecessary negative environmental impact. Through our TPM, it is possible to avoid the carbon footprint of one whole generation of hardware equipment, including all the emissions generated during mining, refining, and transporting finite materials and subsequent production and distribution of the new hardware equipment.

Refurbished Data Center Hardware

Another way of helping the environment is to reuse the hardware. By selling refurbished data center hardware, we help prolong the life cycle of hardware that has not been used to its maximum life span. This way, our clients can reduce their overall carbon footprint. Since most data center providers get rid of their hardware equipment when it still functions well, the buyers of refurbished equipment can get the high-end equipment used only for 15 or 20 % of its total life span.

Hardware Recycling

The hardware that has been utilized to its maximum life span and can no longer be used or repaired is recycled by us. The secondary raw materials are extracted from the non-functioning hardware, sold, and further used to manufacture new products. As the materials extracted from hardware can be used instead of mining new materials, this process saves not only on CO2 emissions generated during the mining process but also protects the finite materials and non-renewable resources.

How do we contribute to the Goal 12?

Warehouse and Logistics

• Pallets that cannot be used are sold further to make other products, such as garden chips.
• When packing pallets, we finish with a layer of wood to make them stackable to save as much space as possible during transportation, minimizing the need for multiple trucks.
• In cooperation with our courier partners and customers, we try to minimize CO2 generated during the transportation of our products by offering green shipping and longer delivery option, as well as clarifying where parcels are going and how we can potentially minimize weight and volume.
• We recycle e-waste in cooperation with Stena Recycling A/S.
• We sort our waste and plastic into three fragments, making recycling general waste more efficient.
• We reuse all parcel fillers, such as Styrofoam, which means we have not bought any new ones for 5 years.
• Our shredded paper fillers are 100% reused.
• Bubble wrap is also reused.
• Our cardboard boxes are made from recycled material.
• We reuse our pallets and ensure they are heat-treated, which is a more sustainable and safer option than chemical treatment.

Offices and Technical Premises

• Employees who can work from home are encouraged to do so as they save CO2 on transportation.
• We strive to procure used or refurbished laptops, mobile phones and other electronics for our employees.
• In order to minimize paper waste and promote digitalization, each of our employees will soon have one reusable business card made out of recycled plastic. A QR code on each business card can be easily scanned, and contact information can be saved to clients’ or partners’ smartphones.
• Employees are encouraged to take lunch leftovers home to prevent food waste.
• We procure fair trade organic coffee for our coffee machines.
• We will soon substitute regular trash cans with bins suitable for sorting waste and subsequent recycling.
• We have optimized our operation and closed a small data center in our basement, resulting in monthly energy savings of 12-15,000 kWh.
• We are currently in the process of developing methodologies for quantifying the amount of CO2 saved during the above-mentioned practices. Besides, we strive to constantly improve on our path towards sustainable development through mutual learning and sharing sustainability best practices with our partners.

According to Goal 12, it is also important to inspire other companies to do the same – embrace sustainable approaches and report on sustainable practices. We hope that talking about our internal practices can inspire our partners and other companies like us to minimize their environmental impact.