Route 2030: Tackling the global electronic waste problem

B.I.G. is on course to achieve a zero environmental footprint by 2030. That is right, zero. To make this journey more tangible, we would like to offer you a passenger’s seat from which you will be able to really get up close and immerse yourself in our various sustainability projects. In this edition: tackling the global electronic waste problem.

According to the World Economic Forum, electronic waste is the fastest-growing waste stream in the world. In 2022, the global total reached 59,4 million tons. If that trend continues, the World Economic Forum predicts that almost 75 million tons of e-waste will be produced by 2030. However, 83% of e-waste is not collected, which means there is a huge missed opportunity for the circular economy.

The electronic waste generated by B.I.G. is a drop in the bucket compared to global figures, but B.I.G. has been working for over 10 years to keep the electronic waste pile as small as possible. Thanks to our recycling partner ABa Recycling, all e-waste from our sites in Belgium, France, Italy and Spain is given a second life.

Strong partnership

“In 2022, our  collected ICT waste amounted to nearly 5.000 kilogram”, says Thibauld Vanderbeken, ICT Workplace Manager. “Thanks to our recycling partner, all of our e-waste doesn’t end up in a landfill. The workflow goes as follows: we collect our e-waste in containers provided by them, they pick up the waste and then take it to a depollution center. There, it is stripped of all hazardous substances and further dismantled to be reused as a primary raw material”, Thibauld explains. “To stress our strong partnership, ABa Recycling also gave us their Green Feet Award in 2022. It is a certificate annually awarded by ABa Recycling to companies that recycle their Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment. The certificate aims to reduce the ecological footprint based on environmental performance.”

ICT-market moves in right direction

"Our ICT department aspires to be a pioneer in our Route 2030 journey. So, it is also important to be very conscious in dealing with suppliers. Every conversation with a supplier always starts with the question of whether sustainability is also on their agenda", says Thibauld. "To give an example: our supplier of our hardware focuses on sustainable packaging. The hardware is packaged in cardboard only. So, no protection made of Styrofoam. That's a sustainability win for our ICT department.”

"You do feel clearly that sustainability is a theme within the global ICT world. But what you do notice is that within B.I.G. we set our standards high and want to reach that net zero position faster than our suppliers. Their goal is set for 2050. So, in that regard, you can feel different speeds. But it's up to us to handle that well."

Hardware lifecycle program

The World Economic Forum predicts an unprecedented growth in the electronic waste stream. But do we see a similar trend within B.I.G.? “Well, our waste stream actually remains fairly stable. You might assume that it is growing due to an increasing amount of hardware in circulation, but actually that's not the case. We have a hardware lifecycle program with a replacement cycle every X number of years, so at a certain point, you're in a fixed pattern in terms of hardware in circulation", explains Thibauld.

So, within B.I.G., the ICT department is trying to cover our e-waste. Employees are completely unburdened on that topic, but they can contribute to low impact in other ways, though. "What they can do is consider whether it is really necessary to print something. This way, there won't be any unnecessary papers left lying around our printers that eventually end up in the paper basket", Thibauld concludes with a wink.